Bigger sails can have bigger gaps. When it is really windy and you are getting right down there in size, you need smaller gaps.

So 4 - 4.5 - 5.0 - 5.5 - 6 is not a good quiver - well it is fine, but not ideal.

4 - 4.2 - 4.5 - 4.7 - 5.3 - 5.7 - 6.2 is much better but the cost increases greatly and it probably needs one more mast.


What ranges do a 4.2 but not a 4.0 or smaller now?
That would be a bit rough, skinny blokes often have a 3.7 and many chick wavesailors need their 3.2's

Yeah it probably depends on how much money you have to spare plus how consistent the wind is and how skilled a sailor you are.

However on the other hand size increments should be smaller as sails get smaller. So if the wind is a consistent 30 knots where you sail then perhaps its worth considering.

But how often, and in what places, do you get wind so steady that .2m is actually significant?

Given that wind force increases with the square, and gust peaks are normally 1/3 to 1/2 (I've forgotten) as strong as the average, the variation in the power of the wind is so enormous that it must be very, very hard to pin down 0.2.

Add in the other factors - wind sheer, gust/lull stucture, peak v mean v minimum wind strengths, mast compatability, wind temperature/density, sailing style, sailor weight, chop, board, and the vital aspect of settings, and how important is it really?

Just as an example, if it's blowing 4 or 4.2 weather and you're racing, only about 1/3 of the sailors even finish. That is an illustration that there is such a variation in skill that for the average sailor, 0.2 of area seems to be about as important as choosing the "right" colour.

DrJ said...

swoosh said...

DrJ said...

4.2 vs 4 thats twenty square centimeters less than a sheet of A5 paper

you might want to check your maths


personally i reckon 5.3 to 4.5 is a pretty big gap.. maybe 5.3, 4.7, 4.2 is a better selection for windier locations?

Why what's wrong with my maths? 0.2 m2 = 20cm2, whats wrong with that ?

1m2 = 100cmX 100cm = 10000cm2
0.2 X 10000 cm2 = 2000cm2 = 20cm X 100cm which is about 3 A4 sheets of paper

Talking about smaller sails and closer gaps I found this very interesting
http://www.iwavesolutions.com/lefebvre/Windsurfing/Articles/quiver.html
Then go to his calculator
www.anyplanet.com/qc/
But what confuses me is if you enter the same sizes but decreasing then the percentages change a bit.
Some people like big percentage spacing to cover more wind range economically and it also makes sail choice easier on the day, others like to have a couple of sails in there most common wind range very close if you damage one then you always have a spare.
I find closer gaps of a small percentage makes the rigging decision harder.

You lucky, lucky b@stards!

I've had my 4.0 (Gaastra Manic) for a few years now, and I've never used it. Not once. Don't even have a boom short enough, and don't need one. Haven't even used my 5.0 since 2008, come to think of it.

*whimper*

But if u ask me, you can never have too many sails

Mark _australia said...

DrJ said...

I don't believe it, if there is a difference it's in the head of the user, 4.2 vs 4 thats twenty square centimeters less than a sheet of A5 paper, Certainly if the two sails are both the same model. I guess one might argue that 20 cm is a whole 5% in area, meh what works for you I guess.

My opinion only, obviously.

4.2 to 4.0 is a big bloody difference if 4.2 is too much.

According to the sail size calculator I have ( I couldn't figure out how to post it here)..weighing 64kgs once it gets up to 26kts each 2 kts of wind i need to reduce sail by .2m to stay comfortable...

sboardcrazy said...

Mark _australia said...

DrJ said...

I don't believe it, if there is a difference it's in the head of the user, 4.2 vs 4 thats twenty square centimeters less than a sheet of A5 paper, Certainly if the two sails are both the same model. I guess one might argue that 20 cm is a whole 5% in area, meh what works for you I guess.

My opinion only, obviously.

4.2 to 4.0 is a big bloody difference if 4.2 is too much.

According to the sail size calculator I have ( I couldn't figure out how to post it here)..weighing 64kgs once it gets up to 26kts each 2 kts of wind i need to reduce sail by .2m to stay comfortable...

that means reducing 1m per extra 10 knots? That's not too bad as a ballpark guide. Surely they don't suggest you should change sails every time it goes up or down by 2 knots?!

its actually 6.4133 sheets of A5 paper

Yeah ... My bad. Note to self, when under the influence of alcohol, don't operate heavy machinery or do simple high school maths, and certainly don't argue about it if challenged.

Wet Willy said...

sboardcrazy said...

Mark _australia said...

DrJ said...

I don't believe it, if there is a difference it's in the head of the user, 4.2 vs 4 thats twenty square centimeters less than a sheet of A5 paper, Certainly if the two sails are both the same model. I guess one might argue that 20 cm is a whole 5% in area, meh what works for you I guess.

My opinion only, obviously.

4.2 to 4.0 is a big bloody difference if 4.2 is too much.

According to the sail size calculator I have ( I couldn't figure out how to post it here)..weighing 64kgs once it gets up to 26kts each 2 kts of wind i need to reduce sail by .2m to stay comfortable...

that means reducing 1m per extra 10 knots? That's not too bad as a ballpark guide. Surely they don't suggest you should change sails every time it goes up or down by 2 knots?!

I think it is just a guide as to what would be ideal..I know I don't seem to have much comfortable windrange when the wind gets up..seem to always be hanging on for grim death..
I have crappy 3.3m ,3.8m ( had it for 6 months and not used yet) 4.2m , 5m , 5.8m 6.6m often wish for a 4.5m