At nearly double your weight...yep. I can hold down a fairly big sail when the conditions pick up. Downside is, if the wind drops...I'm the first one sinking!

Another angle is that some sails have a varying wind range, and 'vent' the excess wind better than others...if you're in the market for a sail, research your options, especially with modern sails.

I have my straps on the utmost outer settings, and have no probs chop-hopping, especially on my big board. The fact that you're leaning further back helps with sail control in the air, and reduces the risk of being pulled forward, not to mention that getting on the rails gets you going faster with more control.

As for your initial question, I think there are just some things you have to either have to put up with (in regard to weight vs increasing wind) as I do, or look at your setup, it could simply mean more downhaul for the initial rigging, and adjusting your outhaul when the wind changes?

in light winds [only in winter] i sometimes rig my 7.7m / 75 wide board / 41 fin.

then also i rig my 5.8m / 64 wide board /36 fin. [when the wind gets above 12 knots]

you need to buy 2 booms,masts etc but this works especially for the variable conditions in winter.

I think there won't be much difference in the range that sailors will have based on their weight. I think a lot of it will come down to the sail, the board, and the way it is all rigged.

A few years ago a friend and I were sailing in WA in strong winds where I was on a 7.5m and he was on a 7.0m and there was 20 to 25kgs difference in weight. He was handling the sail fine, even though other guys there were complaining about how strong it was with their 5.7m sails.

I think their problems were that they didn't have the sails rigged efficiently and may not have had their harness lines setup to take as much load off their arms.

As a heavyweight, I find that if I am sailing too overpowered, I will drop the boom down lower for control, but that's only if I have to. I would prefer to sail comfortably.

Maybe things will be easier now that you have a new boom and might be able to rig your sails better?

I prefer cammed sails as they keep their shape in the lulls, whereas my experience with non cammed sails has not been good in gusty wind. I preferred to sail a 8m V8 in Dahab than a 6m wave sail, as the power was much easier to handle, even when I had more power than I needed.

That's ok if you like sailing under powered (if the wind doesn't pick up, which is often). I know I don't. Powered to slightly over powered and things seem a lot easier to me.

Durr.. A lightbulb just flashed on..I'm still sailing in the 90's..As soon as I get overpowered I come in & change down. I haven't even tried to downhaul / out haul more..
Is it possible to damage a modern sail downhauling it too much with a whinch?

im with emac.
when i run overpowered it is usually because im required to make large upwind runs back to launchpoint.

i think with smaller sail you will be limited to your upwind.
depending on which way the wind is hittin th beech you can use overpowered sails for a advantage.

Most people with larger sail know how to use them

I've found that adjusting the sail can make a huge difference on what you can handle. My best was a 140 litre board with a 7 m sail in just under 20 knots. I'm 75 kilo. I found that just by flattening the sail by really pulling on the outhaul helped and moving the harness lines forward a touch to make the sail spill a little wind was a big help. Oh by the way, I should of just re-rigged but I'm too lazy.

Or could it be that lighter sailors have a bigger wind range because they have a better power to weight ratio
The biggest sail I use is a 5.8m and in Canberra the wind is not strong.If a formula board with a 10m can plane,then so can I.If I rig a 6.5 on a 460(100%) I plane less(pumping is more exhausting with a 6.5).
The extra foot of mast and extra sail area add so much weight that i lose performance.
I am 65kg and yet when the wind increases instead of changing sails, I change to a smaller board
It sits lower in the water and requires more power and I will hold my 5.8m for as long as the 100kg guys do,
bearing in mind that I have more experience than most and have been referred to as freakish in my ability to plane early.

CRAZY- If you can get a 430 with extension to fit I think this would be a good option.I think this would give the larger sail a greater wind range for a light weight as it will twist off earlier due to being softer.If you get a 460,it has to be light for you(very high carbon%) but I'm guessing that because you are disappointed that you had to buy another boom because the last one only lasted 20 years,that this is not your preferred option.
And regarding chop hops,it will feel awkward with outboard straps at first.Your first jumps will be a bit kooky because you will be pulling the windward rail up more than before,work on using your ankles to try and keep the board flat,particularly at touchdown time.But you have been jumping for a long time and this wont be an issue.

KA360 said...

Or could it be that lighter sailors have a bigger wind range because they have a better power to weight ratio
The biggest sail I use is a 5.8m and in Canberra the wind is not strong.If a formula board with a 10m can plane,then so can I.If I rig a 6.5 on a 460(100%) I plane less(pumping is more exhausting with a 6.5).
The extra foot of mast and extra sail area add so much weight that i lose performance.
I am 65kg and yet when the wind increases instead of changing sails, I change to a smaller board
It sits lower in the water and requires more power and I will hold my 5.8m for as long as the 100kg guys do,
bearing in mind that I have more experience than most and have been referred to as freakish in my ability to plane early.

CRAZY- If you can get a 430 with extension to fit I think this would be a good option.I think this would give the larger sail a greater wind range for a light weight as it will twist off earlier due to being softer.If you get a 460,it has to be light for you(very high carbon%) but I'm guessing that because you are disappointed that you had to buy another boom because the last one only lasted 20 years,that this is not your preferred option.
And regarding chop hops,it will feel awkward with outboard straps at first.Your first jumps will be a bit kooky because you will be pulling the windward rail up more than before,work on using your ankles to try and keep the board flat,particularly at touchdown time.But you have been jumping for a long time and this wont be an issue.

My smaller board is older & has a lot more drag / doesnt plane as easily so i can feel the pull of the sail more & its harder to control..
Unfortunately I havent jumped much lately..never seem to get the right conditions..enough wind , chop at a good angle & me with energy so I havent had a decent go with this board yet..[}:)]
You were "disappointed that you had to buy another boom because the last one only lasted 20 years"

If you want to get the most wind range out of your sails. I strongly recomend using an adjustable outhaul.

Just try it. It will save you re-rigging everytime.

KA360 said...


My smaller board is older & has a lot more drag / doesnt plane as easily so i can feel the pull of the sail more & its harder to control..


You need a rocket 95,just like your 125 but sportier-you will instantly become at one with it,it will feel familiar but even better . If you see a used one,don't let it get away,snap it up and you should be able to get it for a good price.
Then find kid who wants to windsurf and give him/her a hifly gift
Seeings there isn't much wind you better get your paint brush out,you shouldn't have to sell many of your paintings to get your baby rocket!

That would be motivating if the painting didnt have to pay a room full of bills..Mind you I have put it to the universe ( not that I really believe in that..does that mean it won't work..) that a rocket will appear! Its on my list for next season..maybe a rich rellie will die?

Leman said...

Just like Swoosh I'm a little envious of the lightweight sailors getting going on small sails, however when the big winds kick up if at the same skill level, then weight and strength come into play. Still it would suck to be heavy but rather unfit. Can't see much advantage to just pure weight. Pros and cons to both but I think whether you're heavy or light, weight/strenghth ratio wins.

Like ejmack I would prefer to be powered to overpowered. Can upwind easily, jump off the smallest ramps and it's an awesome workout. Nothing worst than constantly falling off the plane or just barely planing.

Mostly East coast since Xmas..Planing .. what's that?[}:)]

Mind you I have put it to the universe ( not that I really believe in that..does that mean it won't work..) that a rocket will appear!

I contacted Mark Stone from SSD to discuss making a 35-40l board that my son desperately needs for strong wind.
The very next day,an friend I rarely see dropped by and said he has an old board that Alex might like as his boys have outgrown it.It was a 40l SSD.I couldn't believe it,and free.
What are the chances of that happening!(in Canberra)

The universe can make customs quicker than it takes to get production gear

So look up,believe and be careful,one might be falling from the sky land on your head

KA360 said...

Mind you I have put it to the universe ( not that I really believe in that..does that mean it won't work..) that a rocket will appear!

I contacted Mark Stone from SSD to discuss making a 35-40l board that my son desperately needs for strong wind.
The very next day,an friend I rarely see dropped by and said he has an old board that Alex might like as his boys have outgrown it.It was a 40l SSD.I couldn't believe it,and free.
What are the chances of that happening!(in Canberra)

The universe can make customs quicker than it takes to get production gear

So look up,believe and be careful,one might be falling from the sky land on your head