What would be an ideal setup for 12knot planning for a lightweight (65kg)? (Besides formula gear )

Falcon 111, V8 7.5m with adjustable outhaul, I'm 8okg. I'm not sure what time you got out last Saturday, it was pretty light between 5 -15, mostly around 8-12. I had quite a bit of planning time, however it does need good pumping and other technique. Moreover with efficient gear you can get quite good speed as soon as you get planning.

Hi Harrow with your weight I don't believe you need bigger than 7.0
and 103 litre board maybe a Exocet scross.Im 83Kg and I plain in 10-12 knots on a 120 litre Scross and 7.0m Sail. But like Waiting4wind said is does take a certain technique.
ta Vando

mmm 8.5 on a 460 mast not sure about that Gestalt.

Yer Gestalt prob right about a lighter sailer using a softer mast.
I suppose from my experience the sail would feel too soft but im 85kgs.

Vicky point Sat yer that sounds good if that wind holds up that long.
Had a blast late today at Manly.

Hey Junior, you need a 9.8!!

Harrow, given your current range you should look at something bigger than your current 105. I have ridden vando's scross and think if you were to get an scross 120 and 7.5 you should be planing in 8 knots. Be warned you would be topping out in 16knots but light wind gear is exactly that,you could possibly extend the range of the board a fair bit in a pinch with smaller fins. Given the extra volume you could pracitce tacks/helitacks and happily schlog along also. People should think a little more before suggesting dedicated boards such as isonic, falcon etc.

Hi Harrow,

We are big fans of the Starboard 105 2003 with an 8.5 KA 2005 Formula sail and nothing over a 32cm fin around here. We had one of the crew take his up to 33.9 knots a couple of weeks ago at Sandy in a bit of wind but they excel in the light stuff as well. The sail is incredibly light and the board goes through lulls like nothing else and can be picked up pretty cheap. I had a guy trade in his Carve 133 recently for one and he hasn't looked back.

Check out http://www.cremaster.com.au/images/hypering.htm

you'd be like me,

i use a 2005 KA 8.5m formula and a 95cm formula maxim board.

crem,

Sounds promising. Either way I'll try the larger sail on my present board, with a larger fin if possible. Third board has to be last resort.

Larger fins will certainly help you get on to the plane but are slower when you get there. Where we sail we have relatively flat water and so we rarely go above 32 even with 8.5s but if you have heaps of chop you will have to go up in size. While they won't get on to plane any earlier than the Carve, the Hypers are great in building apparent wind so once you are planing you are usually there until you gybe. Actually one of the tricks to light wind sailing is to be sure you gybe in the gusts.

The main thing is to learn how to get the board going in light wind. Be prepared to lose a little to gain a lot. Feet in the centre of the board foward of the footstraps while heading off the wind then coming back with little hops works for me.

It is interesting to see most of the guys who are topping the GPS speed sailing ladder are 35 plus. Often they learnt in the early days on plastic fins and US boxes that would break out if you put too much pressure on them. Tony Wynhoven who is topping the 2006 ladder uses a 22cm on his 6.6 sail. As a consequence they are skilled at getting small fins working so technique is pretty important. I am 94 kg and can still plane when all the kites call it a day and find I get more enjoyment on a Hyper under 15 knots than I do a kite.

Good luck.

Hey Nebbian. I should of qualified my statement. I use a 44 cm fin in my falcon 111 on a 8.5 and 7.5 too. It gives you extra lift like MKseven said. It gives you something to push against so you can use the power of a bigger sail to unstick the board from the water. Once the wind gets to a certain strength a bigger fin will not make you faster as it just gives too much lift. I usually go down to a 40 or 38 on my 7.5 and 38 to 34 on a 6.6. We sail in varied water states
( chop, swell and waves) so unlike Crem you tend to use bigger fins.
Just more stuff to buy :-) Greeny will like that part!!
BTW, whats with this chair business at the Goldy??
Ive seen it mentioned quite a few times.

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Originally posted by crem

Hey vando,

It's because I'm not getting fat like the others as I get older :) and I refuse to wear a weight jacket althought am thinking camel pack might be okay.

If it is aging you are after just do a few trips with the tonster, it will get the grey hairs sprouting pretty damn quick.

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Weight jacket ??? Is there such a thing

So a 6.6 on a 32 fin should be fine?!?
84kg.. board is Screamer II 103l.

Hi Moffla,

I'm 80kg and with a 31cm fin and a 5.7 on a mistral 104litre it takes a good 15 knots to get planing, but with a 37cm fin I can get planing in 13. Well maybe those numbers are a bit out but I know I can get planing in a couple less knots with the same gear apart from a bigger fin. A 6.6 sail would lower the knots needed somewhat, but I would really recommend going bigger than 32 to lower the planing threshold.

Specs between you and me are roughly the same, so I'd expect similar performance. One thing is that if you learn on a smaller fin when you move up you'll have an advantage, as you're used to trying really hard to get the damn board onto the plane

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Originally posted by Harrow

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Originally posted by mkseven

Harrow, given your current range you should look at something bigger than your current 105. I have ridden vando's scross and think if you were to get an scross 120 and 7.5 you should be planing in 8 knots. Be warned you would be topping out in 16knots but light wind gear is exactly that,you could possibly extend the range of the board a fair bit in a pinch with smaller fins. Given the extra volume you could pracitce tacks/helitacks and happily schlog along also. People should think a little more before suggesting dedicated boards such as isonic, falcon etc.

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Aaaauuuuggghhhhhhh, I thought having a new board and two sails was a big deal. Then I went to two boards and three sails. Now I can't believe I'm considering heading to three boards, five sails, and two or three masts. And all within the space of a couple of months.

Still, with job, family, etc. there are only limited opportunities to get out, and it is frustrating if it doesn't coincide with good wind as the opportunity is just wasted. I can definitely see the value in being able to get out any time. Seems to be a lot of this 8-12 SE stuff at Sydney Airport.

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harrow, if you are looking for min gear with max time on the water don't be to quick to write off formula. i am in exactly the same boat.
i have an 8.5 KA Formula that i use with the 95cm maxim and 70cm fin
plus a 6.4 i use with a 95 lt fish wave board. so 2 masts and 2 booms, 2 sails and 2 boards. (i have a 5.7 as well but only use it if it gets over 22 knots)this means no mater what the wind strength i can be on the water.
went on monday with the family. was 10 knots and i was totally lit up on the formula. (i mean fully powered and cranking) so were the other 2 guys out. one on a starboard formula with an 8.5 and another (vando) on his scross 120lt with a 7.5, we were all blasting.

i had rigged fairly flat, but with a bagged out 8.5 i can get the formula planing in 8 knots and i weigh 98kg. formula boards are a blast to sail, upwind, downwind, across the wind and maximise time on the water. when the wind goes over 15knots hop on the small board.