Windsurfing Sail selection NEED HELP...?

Question

I have had a few lessons advancing to the point I want to get my own windsurfing package. I have been looking at a 2007 RRD Easy Ride M, I can get 1 sail to start with. It will be used mostly on flat water Lakes for now. It will be windy in the fall and next spring, not as windy in the hot summer. I want to get a good rig package, EZZY Superlite 6.5 or the EZZY 6.5 Freeride, I know the Freeride is much nicer and more expensive but I want to know if that is a decent sail for light wind conditions , under 12 Knots. Or would I be better off getting the Superlite because it will be better in light winds. The money difference is not an issue, and I will definately pick up another sail or 2 by next summer. I weigh 160lbs if that helps at all... So is the Ezzy Freeride a decent choice even for lighter winds? Any advice would be much appreciated

Answer 1

I started windsurfing about 11 months ago and purchased all new equipment.  Not familar with the setup you plan to purchase but I got a Bic Techno 293 One Design.  It's classified as a hybird board.  I went with a hybird over a true beginner board so that I will not out grow it in a few months.  My wind conditions appear to be similar to your's since I live in the widwest and sail on lakes.  

Regarding sail, I went with a Northsail 6.2 Natural (<- pretty sure of model).  Anyway, in hindsight I wish I got a little smaller sail to start with.  The fall winds just about ripped by arms off.  As a newbie it was hard to balance on the board with the choppy water and hold on to the sail with 12 to 15 mph gusts.  Then, once I got going, no harness yet so my arms and back had to do all the work.  Bigger sail has higher center of gravity and is much harder to pull out of water which happens often for newbies.

Looking back I think a sail size around 5.4 or 5.8 might have been better to start off with.  First few times in the fall would have been more fun and better learning experience.  Also, smaller sail would allow me to get on the water earlier in the Sping instead of waiting (like I did) until after the winds calmed down.  Had I started with a smaller sail, I think the second sail I would purchase would be a little bigger than my current 6.2; maybe 6.5 or 6.8.

Hope this was a little helpful and good luck!

Regards, Richard

Answer 2

A 6.5 size is reasonable for someone starting out. But plan ahead keeping in mind your  next purchases of a 5.5 and 7.5.  It's best to keep using the same model of sail so power changes when you rig up or down are equal.  For that reason consider getting the better sail.   Check the mast and boom sizes in the specs of the sail model you choose and sizes below and above it.   It is likely a 5-7' boom can cover 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 sail sizes.   Likewise a 460 mast may work on all three sizes also.