+1 for the RDMs. Im a bit lighter than you at 60kg about 5"7 and use all my sails except my 7.5m on an RDM I sailed 81km today on my 6.4 and 105lt board and felt fine in about 15knots. It was also the first time I had every used the 105 litre Lorch and it was great.
I also find that I get more tired when I am on smaller sails. The other day I was way over powered on my 5.7m sail and felt much more tired the next day than when I have used the big sails in the right amount of light wind. It is about tuning and feeling comfortable. I have at times hated my 7.5 and thought it felt big and heavy, came in and downhauled it made a few adjustments to outhaul lines ect a went back out and it felt great.
As for needing someone to downhaul your sails, get yourself some KA Koncepts they are so easy to downhaul, especially on the RMD mast. I can get as much tension as I need on all my Koncepts they are also light and cams rotated really easily.
I have used Neil Pryde race sails before and had the same problem when you gybe it takes ages for the cams to rotate around. They are also way too heavy for me to uphaul and I have had heaps of trouble waterstarting a 7m Pryde sail which was heavy that my 7.5 koncept.
The lighter the kit the easier it is. (I even used to use an old 8m Gaastra sail which was very light and good on those very light days) I brought my 430 Ezzy rdm about 7 years ago for $300 second hand it its still going great

RDM are anything but lighter, as a matter of fact they are heavier than SDM, they just "feel" lighter because of the reduced diameter.

Thanks Albers for posting that. seems if you are a light weight the RDMs are the way to go. I just love the two I have and hope to replace my 460 sdm with an rdm soon.

sboardcrazy said...

Thanks..Grr sounds like RDMs would help.now I just have to win lotto...

I've been told that RDM's are more responsive for light sailors too, but when each sail you use needs a different mast, and then you'd need a new extension also, it's just too expensive. I use SDM.

sboardcrazy said...

Thanks..Grr sounds like RDMs would help.now I just have to win lotto...

I recently got an RDM mast, and I have to say I did notice that up-hauling was a tad easier. It also seems a bit lighter / easier to throw around when out on the water. You can buy a good second hand RDM in 90 percent carbon for around $250- which is cheaper than a new 30 percent SDM mast. Here's a 430 that I know is currently available, sadly my finances are just too tight at the moment...

www.seabreeze.com.au/

sboardcrazy said...

My 6.6m is a KA Koncept although a 2008 model.Glad I don't have a Neil Pryde then!The LHI ones were Neil Pryde but the lighter versions uncammed.
I did get mt setup right one day with the 6.6m and it was bliss.. but haven't been able to repeat it despite the same downhaul etc..

I have found the Koncepts much more sensitive to boom height than anything I've had previously. Next time your sail looks like it should be set right but doesn't feel right try moving it up a cm or two.

PhilSWR said...

sboardcrazy said...

Thanks..Grr sounds like RDMs would help.now I just have to win lotto...

I recently got an RDM mast, and I have to say I did notice that up-hauling was a tad easier. It also seems a bit lighter / easier to throw around when out on the water. You can buy a good second hand RDM in 90 percent carbon for around $250- which is cheaper than a new 30 percent SDM mast. Here's a 430 that I know is currently available, sadly my finances are just too tight at the moment...

www.seabreeze.com.au/

Tempting but too many bills at the moment! Anyone bought masts 2nd hand and had them freighted? I'd be worried they'd arrive damaged and you wouldn't be able to tell..?

Squid Lips said...

sboardcrazy said...

My 6.6m is a KA Koncept although a 2008 model.Glad I don't have a Neil Pryde then!The LHI ones were Neil Pryde but the lighter versions uncammed.
I did get mt setup right one day with the 6.6m and it was bliss.. but haven't been able to repeat it despite the same downhaul etc..

I have found the Koncepts much more sensitive to boom height than anything I've had previously. Next time your sail looks like it should be set right but doesn't feel right try moving it up a cm or two.

Ok. Thanks will do.. What height do you have your boom?

I was recently suffering from some "tennis elbow" myself and was running out of strength after about 20-30ks of sailing. So I started a small free weights work out I do before I go jogging.

All you need is two dumbells

Basically its:
1 Set of 12 bicep curls per arm (alternate)
1 Set of 12 side bends with weights in hands - Slide dumbells on hips as you bend sideways making sure you keep facing forward.
1 set of 12 reverse curls per arm (alternate)
1 set of 12 shoulder shrugs (holding dumbells in both hands at same time)
1 set of 12 bent over rows or pulls per side

Do that two or three times a week and you will improve your upper body strength a bit.

Tip: start with small weight. When you can do the group of exercises EASILY 3 times in row with a minutes rest between each set of 5 exercises its time to increase the weight. No need to over do it. Three sets takes about 20 minutes before I jog.

howdy
Come over to FIJI in Winter and we'll sort out all your blues with Professional Instruction on great gear. A weeks instructino will have you beaming in no time!
See ya
Warren