NSW
154 posts
Hi,
wondering what size sail you would use as your strong wind sail? I want to get my wife a sail as a present, she's interemediate bump and jump sailer, she would just make 60kg with all her gear on dripping wet. Her current smallest sail is 4.7 but she can get overpowered on that when the wind gets well over 20knts. I was thinking a 4.0 sail.... would a 4.0 sail get plenty of use in 20 -25 knots for a sub 60kg sailer?
QLD
14965 posts
3.4m - 3.7m is my take on it.
what board? with smaller sails she will need smaller boards
NSW
385 posts
My 4.5 has been my most used sail on NSW north coast this Summer and my 4.0 has had a few runs. 4.7 to 4.0 is a big gap in small sizes. Maybe a 4.2 ish and a 3.7 ish down the track. Your wife has been doing well to hold down a 4.7 as her smallest at that weight. Also don't underestimate the influence of board size at small weights. Go small. I have a 62L I love to bits when the wind is clean. Not so much fun if there's big holes lol
NSW
154 posts
She currently has a 77L board which she just stepped down from a 93L. We both have a minimalist set up. So her sails would be 5.3, 4.7, then a 4.0 if I went down that path. At this stage we would not get two more smaller sails (ie 3.7 and 4.2).
NSW
385 posts
She will love anything from a 4.2 down.
Be aware 6.7 to 6.0 is a ~10% drop, 4.7 to 4.0 is a ~15% drop etc. Hard to avoid not having smaller gaps between smaller sizes to be comfortable. I happily run 1m gaps in my big gear. But no good in my small gear.
215 posts
4.2 or 4.0 .... fer sure.
NSW
385 posts
Wow. Thanks so much Gestalt. I've never seen that thread. I've always run my boom at the bottom of the cutout to be comfortable at my height and never gave a thought to how that could effect performance. I've never understood why I always seem to be on heaps less than the guys I sail with to be comfortably powered - even lighter guys who don't seem much heavier than me. But they are definitely taller. And that feeling of the rig being miles away and having to reach in any manoeuvres. I thought it was all me. Fascinating.
QLD
14965 posts
my son is using a 3m xs-3 currently. it's a great sail. being so small i have noticed some twitchyness with it when getting overpowered and we are working through that with harness line position and technique but i have to say for all intents and purposes it''s a real sail and rigs as such. as opposed to some small rigs which are softer with less battens and aimed at beginners. -
the xs-3 is an insaney light rig.
i have been told for the next version of the xs-3, severne worked on improving the stability. i will most likely grab a 3.6m when it gets released down the track but in the meantime have a 2.5m coming.
there is also the 4.1m xs-3 which i was told suits the 330 mast a little better.
A few manufacturers are making sails in this size but no-one really doing what severne are doing. kudos to severne.
WA
48 posts
Simple answer is YES. We have to have a good range of sails, Lilias is 55kg and uses a 55ltr board when the wind is over 21knts, her big board is 70ltr. Weight and size really makes a difference to all her kit, her most used sail is a 4.2 and a 3.7 at 25knts is a must, I wish we had space and money to but a 3.4. All small/light people need small/light kit to have the most fun!
WA
44 posts
I'm about the same "dimensions" as your wife. I go from a 4.7 down to a 4.2 and ride it with a 86L or 76L. I'll use this when it's 25+. The 4.2 gets too big when it starts getting closer 30knots.
I get the minimalist thing... Having another sail isn't the issue.. it's having to buy another (370) mast! $$$ :)
NSW
471 posts
4.2m would be perfect.
Make sure though that the mast you use has a softer top or is softer than usual, that will help too....Also sails like the Naish chopper in size M which is a 4.2m is a lot shorter and is designed for lighter people.
Theres one on this site somewhere......I use the 5.3m chopper which is classed as XL and love it.
