I went out yesterday in gusty 10 -15kt WSW and thought I dont seem to get going as well as I used to + I seemed to find gybing more critical.. [}:)]It finally gelled..the extra few kilos Ive put on over winter ( + the extra c 1kg of the full camel back) ..Now I dont think I could get motivated to lose weight for looks but if it gives me more planing time on the water bring it on! I think I'll go and do an hours walk after brekkie..and maybe not eat that chocolate cake today..or maybe not..

I reckon you should be able to alter your weight to suit the conditions..less for light winds and heavier for gales..

KenHo said...

A wise man told me last year that 5kg is worth a half a meter of sail and 10L of board.
No doubt there is an ideal range for this formula, but between 65-85 or 90kg, it's probably a reasonable estimation.
Which is why I am intent on losing 5-6kg. I have 2 off, just have another 3 or 4 to go.

Hmmm well that's interesting. I can honestly say that I can do this experiment properly, as I've recently lost around 10 kg.

So last weekend I was on a 5.2, and I did notice the difference, but I wouldn't say that it was equivalent to me being on a 6.2 at my old weight. More like a 5.7 at my old weight.

And my board, although it was definitely floatier, wasn't 20 litres floatier, at least it didn't feel like it! More like 10 litres floatier, which makes sense when you think about it.

So I'd say that 5 kg body weight would be more like .25 square metres of sail, and 5 litres of board.

It definitely makes a difference though, not least when you're scooting around the mast in a tack! It also makes a difference when trying to plane in marginal conditions

Good luck with the weight loss, it's well worth the effort.

So we should lose a few kg's in summer just by not wearing a wetsuit and maybe an ultra light full carbon board on the shopping list.....he says while scoffing down a burger

I'm just under 90kg, while a friend I regularly sail with is about 65kg. We find we are generally on par when he uses a sail 1metre smaller and a board 10-15L less.

If I use a 6.3M he is using a 5.2M, however this difference shrinks as the wind gets bigger. When I am on a 4.7 he is on a 4.2.

For windsurfing only (or perhaps as a jockey), I would prefer to be the lightweight, because I've had to upgrade to all carbon booms so they don't keep breaking on me, whereas aluminium seems fine for him.

Leman said...

I'm just under 90kg, while a friend I regularly sail with is about 65kg. We find we are generally on par when he uses a sail 1metre smaller and a board 10-15L less.

If I use a 6.3M he is using a 5.2M, however this difference shrinks as the wind gets bigger. When I am on a 4.7 he is on a 4.2.

For windsurfing only (or perhaps as a jockey), I would prefer to be the lightweight, because I've had to upgrade to all carbon booms so they don't keep breaking on me, whereas aluminium seems fine for him.

That is an advantage as I've never had any breakages ( other than a 25 year old boom but that was just age).