Sail ranges 5.8, 5.0,4.5, 4.0 or 5.8, 5.3, 4.7, 4.0?

[KC7777]

Hey,

I have been leaning out my sail quiver nicely. I am down to a 7.0M (from a 6.5M and a 7.5M) as my only big sail for Harrison.

Could be time to replace my smaller sails next year (or at the end of season sales). Currently I have a quiver of 2008 Gaastra Poisons (power wave sails) in 5.8M, 5.0M, 4.5M and 4.0M. The 5.8M gets used a ton at Nitinat. The 5.0M sometimes feels small there (ie it is blowing 5.2M!). The 4.5M gets used sometimes and the 4.0M has been used 1x (this could change if I go to the Coast).

Ideally the 5.8M larger size in a power wave sail (ie Gaastra Poison or Goya Eclipse) and the smaller 2 sizes in heavy duty wave (ie Gaastra Manic or Goya Guru?).

What do you guys think is the appropriate sail spacing for use on a 94L Freestyle Wave board and a 83L Wave board. Looking for maxium range in a 3 sail quiver (assuming I keep my barely used 4.0M):

Do I go....

5.8M, 5.0M, 4.5M

OR

5.8M, 5.3M, 4.7M

The reason I ask is to my accounting brain it always made more sense for the jumps to be larger in the larger sails (Option 1).

What is the logic behind evenly spaced jumps (Option 2)?

PS - I have three 400cm masts (4.0, 4.5 and 5.0) and a 430cm mast (5..


Thanks in advance,

[jim mckenzie]

I believe the equation for lift has a squared value such that Higher wind delivers a steeper power gradient than lighter winds. So the difference between a 4.0 and 5.0 feels (and is) greater than that of a 7.0 and 8.0. Sail choice is, in a way, more critical as the wind pipes up. I've used a meter difference for my sails for some time but I sometimes feel it in the small sizes that a .5 in between would be better, as being powered comfortably in high wind really helps.

[winddoctor]

I like 4.2, 4.7, 5.3. I have a 3.7 and 5.6 bookending the quiver, but don't use either size that much lately. Three sails would do me realistically for 90 percent of my sailing, but I like my toys!

If 4.0 is your smallest, then 4.5, 5.2, 5.8 could work well.

I find that a 4.7 is usually the magic size from most brands and the most often used sail for me of a high wind quiver and I tend to build around it.

[eastside]

Sounds like the 5.8 works for you but then you find the 5.0 too small, so go for a 5.2 or 5.3. Problem is after this I like .5 difference which means 4.7 and 4.2. This makes your old 4.0 an orphan. Although it is nice to have a smaller size difference I think the newer sails range is so great that you can probably do away with a sail somewhere in a quiver, if you are trying to save money or space. I changed from a 5.8 to a 5.5 and looking at the old stats I used to use the 5.3 way more than the 5.8 and now I don't miss the 5.8 at all. So the critical thing is to figure out what sail you would use the most and go from there

[windsurf247]

I read an article once that suggested using a % factor to figure your sizes instead of equal increments. That way the smaller sizes are relative to each other. MAde sense to me.

Here's an example starting with a 5.8 and a 12% factor. It works out to approximately 5.8, 5.2, 4.6, 4.0. If you want less sails in your quiver use a higher %, more sails a lower %. Base it around your most used sail and go from there. That quiver should cover you for most places.

Personally, I use a powerful 5.5, and then 4.8 and 4.2 wave sails. Covers me for 90% of the stuff I want to sail in. I used to do 5.8/5.2 at Nitinat and I was either under or over. I find 5.5/4.8 to be the ticket - plus a bigger sail for the light days if you want it.

[TheLaw]

I have the same type of setup as Doc. 4.2, 4.7, 5.2 (all Ezzy SE Waves)

That is for my Evo 74 and A+B 90.

I seem to be using the 4.2 and 4.7 90% of the time for CB and Coast sailing. The only time that 5.2 gets rigged these days is for places like Nitinat, Gordons or Cook. Local Summer sailing.

One other thing to keep in mind is that you can give a 5.2 or 5.3 more low end range by putting on a bigger fin in lighter wind conditions. For example, I can easily sail my Evo with a larger fin and 5.2 when people are on 5.5 or 5.8 and bigger boards.

2 cents worth from a guy who only sails a handful of times a year now...

[windsurf247]

Good call on the board/fin. I was going to mention that too. Don't forget to factor that in. You can get way more range out of your sail quiver by using different board/fin combos.

Also if you get a 5.8 with lots of low end and a 4.0 with lots of high end, you're essentially extending your sail range even more.

[eastside]

Did somebody mention fins??? You can can go up or down at least the equivalent of .2-.3 meters with a bigger or smaller fin. Something to fool around with at Nitinat on all those thermals we are going to be getting. Plus practise staying up wind with a wave fin for those coast trips.

[KUS]

below 5.3 tough to drop more than .5, I sail 5.3/4.7 90% and use the megawave on lighter days....tho my light wind days are apparently ripping 4.2 days for others

3.7, 4.2, 4.7, 5.3 my range choice but thinking about going 5.7 wave instead of powerwave 5.3 and using a 5.0 wave, there is something special about a 5.0 size

as for your masts, 2x 400's good plan for a spare if you break one, add a 370 and make that 4.2/3.7 feel sweeter

But....as per previous threads...do you really ever take advice, KC7?

[downwind dave]

i have 2 similar boards. my carefully planned quiver goes 4.1, 4.7, 5.3, 5.9. i have 2 masts- 400 and 430, they overlap on the 5.3 size so i can easily rig up/down from the 5.3. a 370 mast would be nice but i hardly use the 4.1 and it feels fine when i do anyway. dual 400s would be nice too but nolimitz skinnys never break and i like to travel light.

[KC7777]

Hey,

I am leaning to switching to a quiver of 4.7, 5.3 and 5.7 wave sails in future as I can see those sizes being my most used sails (for the few days per year that I do sail). Will maybe get a 4.2 in future or just keep the 4.0?

But....as per previous threads...do you really ever take advice, KC7?

Hey - I think I take advice!....I just tailor it to my own needs. But I do appreciate the excellent input.

Keith