Hi guys... I need some advice...

I am a girl taht weighs 60kg

Where I live wind is usually up to 15knts, sometimes more...

I would like to buy lightweight rig for myself because I want to learn waterstart, and practice tacks and jibes... also do planing when wind is stronger and getting into footstraps..

so what I basicaly need is a lightweight and easy to handle sail with my small hands, but the one that can also get me planing..


I am considerring some options:

-Gaastra Manic 5.7 2013, mast Gaastra 60 RDM 430cm 2014, boom Gaastra T6 Red Line 2014 140-190cm
-NorthSails Curve 5.4 2014, mast NorthSails Silver RDM 430cm, boom NorthSails Silver 2014 140-190cm
-Simmer Iron 5.7 2013, mast Simmer SC6 RDM 430cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-RRD Style PRO MKII 5.7, mast Simmer SC6 RDM 430cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-Simmer Icon 5.3 2013, mast Simmer RDM6 400cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-Nortsails Idol 5.3 2014, mast NorthSails Silver RDM 430cm 2013, Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm or a NS boom?
-any better recommendations?

looking forward to hear your opinions

I own a 2013 manic 5.7 it's my favourite sail actually. It has a nice amount of grunt but what I like about it is it goes nice and neutral during gybes and tacks. I would get the 70% mast for it if you can afford it but if not it will still be fine.

As for lightweight, I have a Severne blade with a gorilla mast and it's an extremely light rig while still having an Xply window. I'm sure there are rigs out there that are as light as the blades but I can tell you it's a little bit lighter than the Manic.

I can't comment on the others but I've used the manic's they are a nice sail. I would definitely consider the blades as well.

on the other forum guys also think icon 5.3 would suit me best.. now here you say it also... I am closer and closer to my choice... :-) I was checking out a Severne blade in an online store but it's too expensive.. super freak I haven't found anywhere where I can buy it...

First up my advice is forget the other forum, we are better here

Then you don't need the whole rig from one manufacturer.
Pick the sail you like, the manufacturer's own mast or a suitable other one (ask here what else will work) and the boom / extension can be anything.
What you have listed above would all be very expensive.

I doubt Simmer would suit you best as they traditionally are designed for the heavier sailor (less so now though).

Then - for example Manic is mega durable but heavier and not as stable as a crossover sail. You have picked wavesails (good for durability) but if freeriding and you are light you may like a crossover sail better.

What are you looking for? Durable, light, handling, wind range (stability) ....?

Do you have a local store and what brands do they sell?

I am basically searching a freeride sail that will not be so heavy while I practice waterstart, tack and jibes...

I would go max 5.3 I think..

unfortunatelly I am kind of limited at what they have in shops in croatia..

what about Simmer Iron 5.0 sail for me?


severne gators they have min 5.7 in size... converts they have smaller also

Far away :-D from you but there are not any active forums near me where I can post a question

^^^ agreed

I she needs to look at mostly monofilm sails, or a very light wavesail like Severnes. But choice in Croatia... hmm, dunno

I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...

DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?

Mobydisc said..

Zgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...

DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?

A 5.5 will be fine in moderate winds for you. You need a big enough sail to get you going. However this all depends on how consistent the winds are where you sail. If you sail in gusty winds then a bigger sail will be needed.

The mistral wind we have is not a gusty wind at all

Zgirl said..

Mobydisc said..

Zgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...

DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?

A 5.5 will be fine in moderate winds for you. You need a big enough sail to get you going. However this all depends on how consistent the winds are where you sail. If you sail in gusty winds then a bigger sail will be needed.

The mistral wind we have is not a gusty wind at all

I think also that I don't need so much power in the sail, I would also feel comfortable with smaller sails... you guys are saying that lots of people are using vawe sails to sail in straight line, so, maybe that could also work for me because I am not a heavy rider... would a NS Volt be a wave sail to sail in a straight line for me maybe, in your opinion

Zgirl said..

Gestalt said..
typically a freeride sail is aimed at the 5.8m-7.5m range. don't get dragged into a debate about wave versus freeride. a lot of people around the world use wave sails as freeride sails.

I would have thought the iron would be too powerful for you. it's a sail that heavy weight guys tend to like.

you think that even a 5.0 would be to powerful for me? in the shop they said Iron is a lighter sail than Icon.. does powerful mean that I could get more speed in lighter winds?

the difference in the sails is mainly to do with the draft. the icon has less draft and will pull on your sheet hand less because the draft is positioned further forward.

the iron has a deeper draft which equates to more power. because the draft is deeper it also sits back further than on the icon and so the draft on the iron translates into more backhand pressure.

I would recommend a sail which has less backhand pressure without being twitchy so you can maximise your time on the water.

power is really just another way of saying acceleration. a more powerful sail will typically accelerate faster but may also have a reduced top speed because of drag. at 60kg power is less important then say for someone at 100kg because you have the advantage with your weight. a too powerful sail for a lighter sailor can lead to control issues which will slow you down much sooner than anything else.

unless you are racing at pwa level or trying to take out the gps womens category there is no need for you to buy a sail bigger than 5.5m. the idea that you need a big sail to plane in light winds is a very popular belief but in my opinion a large part of what is hindering our sport.

hey Gestalt, thanx for a very nice explanation... I will learn a lot here..

SO finally I'm taking an Icon, don't want so much power in my back hand...

The only sizes they have are 4.5 and 5.3 and I am choosing the 5.3...
the reason is that for many years on my "school" board (a Fanatic RAM 145 with middle fin) I was using a 4.5 sail that always felt kind of "slow" for me... that's why I wanted a little bit bigger sail now... a 5.3 I hope would be fine..

hi again guys...

I am in a dilemma again..

A german shop offered me a good deal on the following set:

NS Curve 5.4, NS Gold mast 430 RDM, NS Silver boom 140-190

now it is that versus:

Simmer Icon 5.3, Simmer 60%C RDM 400 mast, Prolimit Team Wave boom 145-190


hm hm

^^^ +1 - to the first half anyway

Any of them are fine, just get the cheapest and save the cash when you progress to a smaller board.

Some tips:
Masts and booms generally last for a long time, so better to get good ones from the start, then just keep them. Sails don't last forever and you might want to upgrade, so you can go cheap on these at first.

It can help to have all the same model of sail, so you are used to it and how it rigs/ feels.

A lot of the newer sails rig on shorter masts, which means not buying an additional mast for example - I would encourage this.

Good luck!
Al

Zgirl said..
I am getting a Simmer Icon... it is a good sail and it is on discount in a local shop...

I've been checking out Ezzy sails Elite.. well, they don't sell Ezzies in Croatia... I have found it in a german online shop and it's expensive.. It would be even more expensive for me to deliver it to Croatia..

How would for example, a Simmer Blacktip 5,3 be different for me from Simmer Icon 5,3? You think it would be better or?