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brettn
Joined: 22 Nov 2000 Posts: 114
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:31 pm Post subject: Sail size selection |
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Is there still a law I have to stay with the 3.7, 4.2, 4.7, 5.2 sail increments?
Seems like my 5.0 and 6.1 are plenty close enough together, (18% smaller).
Is the new technology enabling us to go with wider gaps?
I have a 4.0 and need something under that to phase out a circa 2000 3.6 and an even older 3.0. 18% less than 4.0 would be about a 3.3m2.
I get 5 sessions a year on a sub 4.0, but my wife at a buck twenty will probably use it 15 times.
I finally broke down and bought a 340 mast, which seems to make the small sails, even my old ones, more rangey. |
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kmf
Joined: 02 Apr 2001 Posts: 503
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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I think that sail spacing is a difficult exersize for all of us.
The only way it makes sense to me is to start building a quiver of sails for the most used conditions, and board that you use. I weigh 155 lbs and sail in the gorge, so for me that most used combination is a 4.2 Sailworks Revo. on a 75 ltr wave board. From there, the small sails can be close together as the energy in the wind doesn't build in a linear fashion. So my next smaller sail is a 3.8 Revo. At that point one has to determine if you really need a smaller one than that....cost/benifit starts to play, I go to a 3.4 Revo, but I don't use it much. On the larger end I move up to a 4.8 Revo as a .6 meter jump at these wind speeds is about right for me and where I sail. Then I go to a 5.5 Sailworks Reto, as I need a bigger board at this point, and so as I load up the 87 ltr FWS, or the 105 litre Freeride board, the 5.5 is the call. Not much swell to ride so lock and load.
I have a 6.5 Reto also, never use it really.
So wind speeds and the board that I use at that wind speed determines which sail I pick when buying. It takes a bit of work, but choosing your spacing carefully will make things simpler on the beach.
It's a preference thing.
KMF |
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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You're trying to integrate MATH and SCIENCE into a HUMAN equation.
Don't matter what size you choose, the traits of the sail and the exact wind that day makes more difference.
Just choose a likely gap, hope the design and performance is standard, and trust in your sail size choice that day, and your ablility to adapt to varying conditions. |
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cgoudie1
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 2599 Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Sail size selection |
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Heck yes there's a law, and if you break it the sail police will haul you off!
But seriously, if I had a 6.1 and a 5.0, and I liked the drop, my next size would be a 4.5, and then a 4.0 and a 3.5.
You could probably go 6.1, 5.0, 4.2, 3.7, 3.2. but it depends on the wind you're most likely to encounter, where you should start your quiver.
Last year my most used sail was a 4.7, but I've had years where
it was a 3.7(woohoo) . At 180 lbs sailing the Gorge, and swapping boards as KMF says:
I go 6.7 to 5.7 holey wind ~95 ltr board. 5.7 steady wind to 4.7 to 4.2
to 3.7~80 ltr board, 3.7 steady to 3.2 70 Ltr board.
But, I've ridden the 70 ltr board from steady 4.7 to 3.2.
Since wind force is a square function as wind speed increases, those
smaller sails really do need to be closer together.
If you're talking huge gear (like I use in Utah): 9.5 to 6.5 to 5.5 to 4.7.
-Craig
p.s. an 8.0 wouldn't hurt, but I just don't spend that much time sailing
in Utah these days.
brettn wrote: | Is there still a law I have to stay with the 3.7, 4.2, 4.7, 5.2 sail increments?
Seems like my 5.0 and 6.1 are plenty close enough together, (18% smaller).
Is the new technology enabling us to go with wider gaps?
I have a 4.0 and need something under that to phase out a circa 2000 3.6 and an even older 3.0. 18% less than 4.0 would be about a 3.3m2.
I get 5 sessions a year on a sub 4.0, but my wife at a buck twenty will probably use it 15 times.
I finally broke down and bought a 340 mast, which seems to make the small sails, even my old ones, more rangey. |
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westender
Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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I decided to be different. 3.2,3.5,3.9,4.4,4.9,5.7. I have a 5.2 but almost never use it @ 155 |
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brettn
Joined: 22 Nov 2000 Posts: 114
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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Funny you suggested "if I had a 6.1 and a 5.0, and I liked the drop, my next size would be a 4.5, and then a 4.0 and a 3.5.", since those are exactly my quiver, minus the 3.5 I don't yet have. And it's been working great. Don't need bigger than 6.1 since if I can't butcher bad freestyle I do something else. The only question left is do I get the 3.5, and if so does that necessitate a 3.0 for my wife? She is getting pretty good and courageous and going out in gusts of 40 at Roosevelt and The Wall. Or if I get a late model 3.3 can I call it good?
I will say that when The Wall is down in these sail ranges and she's getting worked on one of our older sub-4-meter sails, we've been getting in the car and going to Roosevelt, where she'll kill it on the same sail. Even when it's just as windy Roosevelt is way more manageable. But it would be nice if we could stay at The Wall.
I've never regretted spending money to get her on the right gear. I'll probably feel the same way about adding a much newer 3.5, then eventually a much newer 3.0.(3.5 to 3.0 is an 15% drop. Pretty big). Given our weight differences, a good 3.0 to her is like a good 4.0 to me, and I LOVE my 2009 Ezzy 4.0. |
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surfersteve
Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 203
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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I think it really comes down to sailing style. We have gusty, unstable winds here. You can do several things about it: adjust board float to stay up in the lulls, rig a bigger sail to maintain some board speed in the lulls and hold on in the gusts, or rig smaller and sit on your board waiting to get back on a plane. Read reviews to find out which boards plane up more quickly and come off a plane more quickly. As for sails, every maker tells you their whatever year is completely redesigned and handles every condition perfectly. So go back to the 3 options in the beginning for your choices. The reason sailors are so damn happy around here on steady, solid days is that just don't happen that often anymore. |
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cgoudie1
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 2599 Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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So what is she gonna ride when you're riding the 3.3 at the Wall?
Just resign yourself to a 3.5 and a 3.0 (or a 3.3 and a 2.7). If She's gonna
ride the wall at 40+ she's gonna need a 2.7.
-Craig
brettn wrote: | Or if I get a late model 3.3 can I call it good?
I will say that when The Wall is down in these sail ranges and she's getting worked on one of our older sub-4-meter sails, we've been getting in the car and going to Roosevelt, where she'll kill it on the same sail. Even when it's just as windy Roosevelt is way more manageable. But it would be nice if we could stay at The Wall.
I've never regretted spending money to get her on the right gear. I'll probably feel the same way about adding a much newer 3.5, then eventually a much newer 3.0.(3.5 to 3.0 is an 15% drop. Pretty big). Given our weight differences, a good 3.0 to her is like a good 4.0 to me, and I LOVE my 2009 Ezzy 4.0. |
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scottwerden
Joined: 11 Jul 1999 Posts: 302
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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I think skill enters into this equation. It is easier sailing to have the perfect sized sail but you also spend more time re-rigging. My observation is that people who are really good just make whatever they have work. The corollary to that is if you have an imperfect quiver you will be forced to adjust, or end up sitting on the beach. I think is is probably a good thing to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself a bit. |
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brettn
Joined: 22 Nov 2000 Posts: 114
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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The 3.3 AND the 2.7 combo is interesting. She doesn't sail Bellingham winter storms. 90% of her sailing is during our 6 summer trips to the Gorge. So a 2.7 would be lucky to see daylight once or twice a year. Also, to rig a 3.3 and 2.7 at the same time we'd need another 340 and another tiny boom. Maybe our kid's boom would do a 2.7.
Humm... |
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