VIC
169 posts
I tore my rotator cuff loading my 30kg roller bag onto the oversized scanner at Melbourne airport back in 2017. Im so careful now.
Totally agreed with the comments above. Buy an extra bag and keep them in the 20-23kg range max.
VIC
169 posts
Another point I forgot to add; it is also relevant to board width. When you are using 7.8 and 8.6 you tend to be on 75cm+ wide boards. Your mast base is in the middle and you are positioned towards outer edge of the board, some 35-40cm from the centreline, hence a wider boom helps position you better.
I wave sail and have got wave sails from 4.2 to 5.7. With wave boards you are positioning your self as close to the centreline as possible, so you can rail the board over as much as possible. You don't want to be further out from the centreline.
I find my 150 boom is great for 4.7 to 5.7. A 160 feels weird on the smaller sails. The 5.7 is the cross over I find its ok with the 150 or 160
VIC
169 posts
Its the shape. Ive got 160, 170, 180.
The 180 is 3cm wider ( measured at the harness line position) . I like to use the 180 on my 7.8OD. I use the 170 on my 7.2 moto. The 160 on the 6.8 and 6.4.
The 170 and 180 are just as stiff as each other, however its the shape. As the sails get bigger you want more width for the greater shape in the sail and you want to be a bit further away from the sail. The 170 will work fine on the 7.8, however a 180 will be too wide on your other sails 6.5and below, however you have your 160 for that. If you want a optimal boom for your 7.8, go the 180, however if you want to use it as a back up on your 6.5 as well, the 170 would be the better option
VIC
169 posts
My pleasure to share MM, as I'e been struggling with the concept of slalom vs freerace quite a bit over the last few years, not mention spending money in the wrong directions. When you are on slalom gear, you are sailing powered. The bottom end is not better than other sails, just the top end, hence to tend to be using slalom gear in the mid to upper wind range of the sail. What i find with the motos i've got (6.4,6.8,7.2) is that you are still aiming for that mid to upper wind range use, but its in a more lightweight maneuverable package, as im still wanting to pretend that I'm still a slalom racer, even if the body doesn't think so!. A fox 95 and 6.4 moto would be a great combo.
My favorite is the 6.8 moto and a Rocket 115L/69cm, just got that extra bit of magic sauce for some reason.
I haven't got my 7.8 & 8.4 motos yet, so I'm interested in your comments JasonWave about running them on SDM's. I'm currently running 7.8&8.6 M4 OD's, set on SDM masts. I find the 7.8 a bit of an awkward size for me i never really use it that much. I use to have a 8.1 turbo, which was great size, still on a 460 mast, i could drop straight to a 7.0. I find with my 8.6 i can drop to my 7.2 or even 6.8 moto. I'm calculating that the 8.4 moto might be a bit like my old 8.1 in terms of maneuverability and bottom end.
The 8.4 is really maxed out on a 460 mast at 495 luff, you are starting to get a lot of sail area, so i wonder if a 490 SDM would be better? The boom is quite alot long than the other Motos (is jumps 10cm from the 7.8, the other sizes jump about 5cm), so the 8.4 might feel a bit different to the other sizes. Anyone willing to share their experience with their 8.4?
I'll find out once i get my 8.4 moto, as i have a 460 and 490 SDM, plus the 460RDM is use on my 7.2 moto
VIC
169 posts
I've just changed to Motos, 6.4,6.8,7.2 and got a 7.8 and 8.4 coming. I've been on M3&M4 OD's in 7.8 and 8.6 (still got them (M4) at the moment). I've also had M3 & M5 race sails in the 5.5/6.2/7.0 and have got an M8 5.5.
While I can't speak for the 7.8 and 8.4 at this stage, i'm totally stoked with the 6.4/6.8/7.2 moto's. They are light and fast and extremely maneuverable. They are ideal for a free race solution for me.
I was having some problems with my M5 match race sails, lifting me off the water when maxed out, i couldn't put the hammer down as i felt really out of control. They were designed around the Isonic, which tends to be a bit sticky. The M8 5.5 ive got at the moment is a lot better the M5, tends to accelerate flat, rather than lift. I'm 88kg and 58yrs and i'm finding it harder and harder to ride full on slalom gear, as they are getting faster and faster, so it has just the same physicality as 10 yrs ago, just that you are going faster over the chop.
It depends what you are into. I find i can go just as fast point to point with my motos as with my full on slalom gear as the motos are more forgiving and don't punish you if you make a mistake. I haven't tried them in a slalom race, however i would suspect that's hard to bet full on slalom gear (sail and board), as it not about the top end speed so much as the acceleration around the buoys and other racers.
Every now and again, you jump onto a new piece of gear and it exceeds expectations - on the very first run! You know straight away it works, it fits. I haven't had this feeling for a very long time, until i tried the Moto (man i'm sounding like an advertisement)
Its also really well built, the cut and stitching sets it beautifully.
VIC
169 posts
Yeah, southern naki. I had the best sail in in my life there in 87/88, strong El Nino year 27 days in a row. Was working at Waitotara, sailed Waiinu beach and the point. Started to get bored when there was no swell. I would last 5 days now
