Windsurf Wind Range for Various Size Sail

steve8650 · Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

I am looking at getting into the sport but want to understand what the wind range is for different size sails and my weight. I want to see how often I will be able to get out on the water

I am going to be looking at sailing on lake Michigan and inland lakes.

I weigh 180lbs. What is the right wind range for a 5.0 and 6.0 sail?

Thanks.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

One of the most frustrating things I've encountered is the wind strength issue. In some locales the winds are chronically under reported. Others, over stated. In FL, I use a 5.0 in 22-30. In Maui, a friend of mine will use a 4.2 sail. There, when the wind "touches 35" he's on a 3.7 sail. I'd still be on a 5.0 and loving it in FL.

In FL, I'd use a 6.0 in winds 18-27.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20870

nies · Joined: 08 Mar 2002 Posts: 40

Here's my take. I'M 190 and sail both the Great Lakes and inland too. Once you are comfortable planing a 6.0 it will probably work nicely from 17-24 and the 5.0 from 20-almost thirty, depending on the type of sail and how you rig it. Like I said this is when you are comfortable planing and in the straps. For beginners learning on a big board I have seen a 6.0 sail nicely in winds a lot less than 17...like Mike says there are a lot of variables. Large sails are a pain. I made most of my early progress on a retro 6.5.

bill

d0uglass · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

You can figure out the exact sizes for different wind strengths and body weights with a spreadsheet calculator I made. It's at the link below:

http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html

According the calculator, at your weight you would need 20 mph to plane comfortably with the 6.0 and 25 mph to plane with the 5.0.

HOWEVER, you don't need or want that much wind when you are learning, since you won't be attempting to plane. You only need about 3 mph to do basic, non-planing windsurfing on a big board with a daggerboard. And anything over 15 mph would probably be too much for you, even with the 5.0. So you're looking at 3-15 mph for now.

The 5.0 and 6.0, once you pair them up with a big board with a daggerboard, will be fine for beginning. Later, when you want more power to work on planing you will add a sail around 7.5 or larger.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20870

marcelo1971 · Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Bemidji, MN

Hello there guys, when u guys say depend the type of sail, what is that mean, I know there are different sizes but what is the different of design of sail?? thanks

swmckay · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 131

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4136

Lots of different sails, but in a nut shell - Camber inducers create a fixed wing shape in the sail. Good for racing, speed & control in overpowered conditions, but not good for beginners or novice sailors for a variety of reasons.

Anything less than 10 years old will be a good sail (design wise). There are good sails that are 10-15 years old, but it's a gamble if you don't know what you are buying (design wise).

1. Race sails - 3 or more camber inducers for advanced - experts.

2. Freeride with 1-3 camber inducers - for intermediates to advanced.

3. Freeride sails - no camber inducers - beginner-advanced. What you need if you are a beginner. Good all around sails.

4. Wave and Freestyle - no camber inducers, good for intermediate - advanced

marcelo1971 · Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Bemidji, MN

Thanks techno900 and swmckay for ur answers. I need to ask you for more info and u guys can help me. I in a small town in MN, here nobody practice windsurf so I have no body to ask stuff, here the wind goes from mild 10 mph to 35-40. I used to practice surf so I have some skills on boards but WS is very technical and too much about equipment. I was thinking to buy an old EQ but people told me that the tech change constantly so I can get something old and then dont find part to fixed sooo, I rented a WS this summer, I used a 6.o sail and started with a long board and later a smaller board, I can sail with the small board no problem and I can get fast speed, there is where I am. Now, I am interested in buy my own and I am interested in speed, maneuverability and jumping small waves bec is a lake. I want something to push me to learn, I am fast learner so i dont want to invest in something that in a month I will want to change. I was reading ur comments guys about the sails but it looks Japanese for me, I have no idea what are u talking about, it is possible to re post ur comments with a link or pic showing the thing u are talking about? about boards and sails. Another question, when i sail my forearms muscles get tooooo tired, I tried to use a "leach" attached to my waist but the gusty wind trow my over the sail so I dont know how to fix that, what am I doing wrong? any good teaching videos??
Thanks you very much guys for ur help