Flirting with the idea of getting a large sail with for my RRD 115 FSW. I am leaning towards a 7.5 as I think that would be the biggest sail the board would carry. I also limited by a max boom length of 220 and I don’t want to buy another boom.

I am hoping to find a sail for ocean sailing - blasting out the back at duchies or similar that would get me going in 13 or 14 knots of wind. I weigh 93KG. I am pretty confused as to whether or not to go free race or free ride. I am not really looking for top end given I am going to be using it on FSW, but am looking for low end.

The thing that worries me about free race sails is that they seem sacrifice allot of durability for performance. X-ply seems to be almost non-existent in these type sails. I am very confused by what some manufactures mean when they refer glass tube battens in a sails. Are these different to the battens in say my 6.2 wave sail and do they break more often? I am also assuming that 7.5 free race sail will get me going earlier than a 7.5 free ride, or is the only benefit to the freerace top end speed? I really want to avoid cams if possible and I don’t have a 460 mast so I am pretty open to suggestions

So it is it NP Fusion, Severn Gator, RRD Move
Or
NP Hellcat, Severn NCX, RRD fire

Going to go mow the lawn now as head is spinning with marketing BS about sails but look forward to reading some replies.

Sailhack,

What do you think the low end is on 116LT 3s and the 7.2 for you? Also are you rigging the 7.2 on 430 or 460? I seem to recall that Fusion rigs on 430 for all sizes - I would have thought 7.2 rigged on 430 with that much extension would get pretty soft and would offer a diminishing returns for a big guy.

Hi Amoka.

Don't know whether you've been into the shop at all, but either the Fire Move, or the Tushingham T4 would be ideal.

You'll have to assume that you're going to have to buy a 460 if you want a 7.0<, the 6.7 FireMove rigs on a 430.

Tushingham are known for their ease off use & longevity ( and have had plenty of good results in the LOC)

The FireMove is built as a bump jump/ ocean blaster, having a slightly higher foot.

The Fire 6.8 also will fit on a 430.

If you're only out blasting, most quality mono sails are fine, just a couple of the budget end models don't cut the mustard,


Cheers.

Jez 2ndwind Sailboards

On your brief, pretty hard to go past an ezzy cheetah , plenty of review and raves about them here in previous posts, you will need a 460 mast though.

amoka said...
Sailhack,

What do you think the low end is on 116LT 3s and the 7.2 for you? Also are you rigging the 7.2 on 430 or 460? I seem to recall that Fusion rigs on 430 for all sizes - I would have thought 7.2 rigged on 430 with that much extension would get pretty soft and would offer a diminishing returns for a big guy.

To be honest, I try to avoid the 7.2 on the 116 although it goes well in the right conditions. If it's flat - I'll use the bigger board, the 3S if it's lumpy. I actually rig it on a 460, which is not the recommended mast...I just don't like >40cm of extension.

I use a 7.5m Severne OD on my 115 Excocet freemove on a lake. It gets me going in 10-15kts . The freemove takes a bit more to get it up and going than a slalom board..With a lighter board a 7m may be better. I weigh 63kgs..

I'm not a NP fan but saw the 2015 hellcat on the water today and it's bloody nice !! seems to go fast too

Fantastic feedback everyone. Mkseven your point about the foot strap position is one I forgot to consider. My primary use for the board is with inboard (wave position) foot strap placements and a 6.2 playing around in small surf. It would be real pain to move the foot strap positions out to the rails the few times I want to use big sail. Everything is starting to point me towards a 7.0 freeride rigged on 430. Thanks for your help everyone!

I would agree with paddymac. A gaastra 6.9 cross would be one of the most suitable sails (provided you have the correct mast for it) for your 115L FSW.