In flat water sails a 5.8 is a small sail designed for high winds so might not be really what you are after. Wave sails on the other hand are designed to be sailed with just enough power, so a 5.8 is more of a lighter wind sail, like you say you want, but if the 5.3 is getting you going in 14 knots it seems a bit unnecessary.

I think it depends on your weight and the regular conditions and type of sailing your interested in.

At my weight (74kg), 4.5,5,5.6 and two boards covers the bulk of what I look to sail in. I might even get a 5.3 to add to that. Your sails last longer and your on the right sail most of the time.

I then have a 4.0 and 6.3 which are not really ideal for there respective boards, but they only come out when it really honking or its very marginal.

I also have a 11 for a formula board, If I was heaver and into Slalom I would have a different mix.

Corkers said...

I agree with Moby, get a 7.5 and your covered for all conditions, and making the choice of which sail to rig is easy

Funny you mentioned a 7.5, as I was originally going to grab a 7.4 off Moby. But I'm still yet to give the 6.6 a good run- should have used it today instead of the 5.2...

As I'm learning the 7 plus sized sail might be too much of a handful? What sort of winds are you thinking the 7.5 will be good in?

Added info, I'm 76 kg and riding a FSW 116 lt board. Like flatwater as much as the surf.

Hi Phil,

I used my new 7.3m today in winds of up to around 20 knots. A bigger sail will get you through the lulls without dropping off the plane. I used the Loft 02 7.4m in winds up to around 25 knots. It wasn't too pleasant but it was managable.

Modern flatwater sails are designed to be used in overpowered conditions.

All my wind speed numbers are estimates. I need to invest in a wind meter.

I use my 7.5 in 14 to 20+ kts. I'm a bit heavier at 90kegs. Your 116 would handle the a 7.5 very nicely. Only suggesting this as it would give you a much bigger wind range than a 5.8.

^^^ Absolutely - it's a common mistake to specify a quiver of sails based on size differences, and not ratios.

I also weigh 76kg, and 5.8 is my most used, and most prized size. It will fit in well between a 5.2 and a 6.6. If you lived in WA, I'd have said "Go for it", but you should look at the typical wind conditions where you sail before making a decision.

R1DER said...

Sail quiver gap calculator
http://www.anyplanet.com/qc/

Haven't seen that one before. Very useful. Ta RIDER

Phil, Mark has given some good advice up there and agree 100%. A 6m is a nice distance from a 5.2, and if you get another Ezzy Wave (2007 onwards) they are good fun for flat water and waves. For your weight a 6m in the surf is as big as you would want to go, and then you can build your flatwater kit from there.

I am 90kg, and have a 5m, 5.8m and 6.5m. Most used kit is my Skate 109 and 6.5m freestyle sail which works great on flat water and is also fun in the waves. My next used sail is the 5.8 and I either run this on the Skate or waveboard depending upon what I am doing - flat water or waves. I have only used my 5m twice in 6 months.

After 26 years of sailboarding, if I need a sail bigger than a 6.5 on flatwater I go for a surf instead (or garden/chores so when there is wind there is no grief ). Power to the guys that rig big for flatwater. Am happy to do non-planning wavesailing till the cows come home if the waves are good and will typically just use the 5.8m in those conditions, just like we did at SWR when I was up.

Thanks heaps for the info All taken onboard Cheers.

Good little link! If I get the 5.9, I'll be running at 14 percent. Planing to add a 4.5 wave sail later- still keeps at 14 percent. Now I just got to learn how to sail...

link is great.

only thing is it is assuming that they are the same type of sail.
some sails in your quiver may be more powerfull.
for me it's 4.7 5.3 and 5.7, all wave sails. 13% then 8%, but the 5.7 is a way more grunty sail as its used in lighter winds.

personally i think if you are happy with 5.2 as your biggest in the waves and for flat water the 6.6 will probably rig fine untill you need to use the 5.2. i would not rush to get a 5.8. all depends if there are oftern times you feel unerpowered on your 5.2 and over on 6.6??

i do like my 5.7 for light wind wave sailing though.

Mobydisc said...

Hi Phil,

I used my new 7.3m today in winds of up to around 20 knots. A bigger sail will get you through the lulls without dropping off the plane. I used the Loft 02 7.4m in winds up to around 25 knots. It wasn't too pleasant but it was managable.

Modern flatwater sails are designed to be used in overpowered conditions.

All my wind speed numbers are estimates. I need to invest in a wind meter.


I assume you are sailing in pretty flat water?

sboardcrazy said...

I've got a 3.2m - 3.8m - 4.2m - 5m - 5.8m - 6.6m...Most used is the 6.6m then the 5 & 4.2m on 125 ltre & 95ltre boards..

On what occasion is your 3.2 ? you must be optimist or that is just kiddy sail for training..