Hi guys

New to this forum, but been reading it for a while.
I hope someone can give me some input.
I got back to windsurfing 2 years ago after borrowing a RRD 125L (think it was Firemove)and an Ezzy Cheeta 7.5
I loved it and quickly bought a Loftsail 7.3 Oxygen, this is a perfect size for summer surfing here in Norway.
Initially it took me a few days to get to like the Oxy, I couldn't seem to rig/tune it right, but now I really like it.

It was time to buy my own board and I wanted something smaller , so I got a RRD FSW 96L 20113 model (I´m 73kg), got a great deal second on a Severne S-1 5.7 and Blade 5.3 with a 75% gorilla mast (2013 models)

I took the S-1 out in about 8-9 mps (16 knots), but I had a hard time to get it on the plane. The wind was a bit uneven. When I did, the sail never felt comfortable, and I tried to tune it different ways, moving harness straps etc.
I never felt I "cracked the code".
I now realise the S-1 might not be for me, or is it just a matter of tuning and getting used to? I have a 28cm fin that came with the board.

Any tips and pointers would be appreciated.

PS I can water start, and sometimes pull of a high speed carving jib. Jibbing is not a problem

Sounds like you might want a larger fin than a 28 cm for around 16 knots and a larger sail too. Then you might be planning at 16 knots. That being said, 96L board doesn't seem like enough volume to me for 16 knots of wind. I am usually on my 115L, 65cm wide board with a 6.0 sail fully powered up with a 34cm fin, blasting along in 16 knots of wind.

I'm the same weight maybe minus 1kg but have the same board. Great board BTW. As Magic Ride said, bigger fin but definitely a bigger sail. Look for something around 6.5m freeride. I find i need 18kt+ wind for my 5.8m

If you are not planning in 16kts then do one or all of the following:
- larger board - 105 litres
- larger sail - 6.5m2 try a NCX rather than the S-1
- larger fin - 33mm

You may not need all of the above - the sail and fin increase may suffice

YoakNor said..

Yep. I felt the same way with my 2013 4.7 S-1. I used it a season and decided it wasn't for me. My experience was exactly like yours, but some people like them a lot. (having said that, I was running a sightly soft top mast in it.. it will be interesting to see how it goes in my pure CC masts this season).

Late last season I got hold of a 2015 4.7 Blade Pro. 1st run I knew this sail suited me. After a few tweaks, it was even better. Maybe you should try the Blade or Blade Pro ?

I have a somewhat similar setup.

I have blades 5.3 and down which are my main sails I use on my 100 and 80 L freestyle and wave boards. However I still have a older 5.6 S-1 that I use and like. I only use this in light winds, what I like about it is rig it with a slightly tighter leech, its very stable clew first, and a very light sail for the wind range I use it in. i.e. I use it to improve my manoeuvring skills, otherwise I will get onto the 5.3 ASAP.

I like to reference the position of the batten above the boom without outhaul tension versus looseness of leech, particularly with the s-1 I have which are more sensitive to down haul, because of the repeatability of that approach.

If you just want to go fast in light winds, trade the 5.7 towards a 7.5M and ~70cm wide blaster, like your wise friend has

Thanks for all the input guys. Looking back I also have a feeling it was less wind than the forecast/weatherstation said. It was a new place for me so it was difficult to tell.
I'm used to sail that 7.3 very overpowered as its been the only sail I had last year. It's still kind of summer up here in Norway, so the really windy days are yet to come. Tempted to try the 7.3 on the 96l, but I guess it's a bit too big.
I started to look for a 6.5 sail, I see that I can rig a Gaastra Matrix 6.5 on my 460 Severne 100 mast, so that's pretty tempting. Problem is that it's just after the summer holiday and money is a bit tight right now.

Not one day of wind since first posting this. I got my 7.3 back and might try that out on the 96l of we never get any proper wind up here anytime soon

Happy to hear that at least someone is getting on the water

I got offered a 2013 Gaastra Pilot 6.0 for a very good price, but is that a beginners sail, or just a cheaper version of the Matrix? It´s a bit confusing on their website

YoakNor said..
I got offered a 2013 Gaastra Pilot 6.0 for a very good price, but is that a beginners sail, or just a cheaper version of the Matrix? It´s a bit confusing on their website

I had a Gaastra Pilot 6.5 from around 2009/2010. Was a pretty nice sail, felt like an oversized Poison wave sail, just lighter made.

I agree with the comment above if you want a small sail then a wave sail will get you planing faster than any other style of sail. The S1 5.7 should get you planing in 16knots easily but it's not a grunt sail it's an efficient sail. Just sheeting in against the fin will not work. You will need to bare away a little and build the apparent wind then you'll be set. I'm 75kg and would have an 85l wave board planing easily with that sail (I had an old S1 5.7 until I went completely through it last time out and it worked brilliantly on both my 85l wave boards in 15knots). I also found the S1s don't need a super floppy leech. Certainly the sail needs to vent nicely but it's not extreme

Magic Ride said..
We are getting 20-25 NW winds today in Oregon, but I said a prayer to the Wind Gods last night.

The God is , Wonda The Wicked Wind Woman.