Sail Sizes

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  I am 5'1" and 125 pounds and still sailing my Mistral Malibu.  I water start and beach start consistently - don't even bother trying to learn a carve gybe now that I am 53.  I have a 5.0 and a 6.0 sail.  I sail in a lake in winds between 30 - 40km, which isn't often in southern Ontario.  Thinking of adding another sail and was looking at a 5.5.  Then I started wondering whether a 6.5 or 7.0 would get me planing in the 25-30 km winds that are more common and just below white caps.  Worried they will be too heavy for me.  Also, my current sails are cambered but the more affordable free sails are not.  Not sure about going without a camber for water starting.

Thanks much

ANSWER: Hey Lynn,

Normally the rule of thumb is 6.0 and over, 1 meter between sails, below 6.0, 0.5 meter between sails. 5.0-6.0 falls in that iffy range that usually depends more on the sailor than the sails. If you can sail your 6.0 until it is just too much wind and then changing to the 5.0 keeps you sailing comfortably, then you probably don't need a 5.5.

As for going to a 6.5 or 7.0 and a looking to buy new or nearly new, you will be surprised at how light new sails can be. Maui Sails Titan and the Ezzy Infinity are both, two cambered sails that are very light weight with lots of power. I have two Titans, a 7.0 and a 9.0 and I'm amazed at how light they are and easy to sail. I also like cambered sails and have been very pleased with my Titans. Check out ebay for a variety of Maui Sails. Be sure they are being listed by rigmastermaui. He is a clearing house for Maui Sails. Some are slightly used from team riders and many of them are brand new. I was able to get both of my sails for less than half of retail price. It may take a little time and patience for the right size and type to be listed but it's worth the wait.

Oh, and learning a carve gybe, it's never too late to learn. I'm 52 and still learning carve gybes. But the ones I'm learning are during the 30+mph winds on my 7'10" board :).

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  So far, the only affordable 5.5 free ride sails that have been on sail around Toronto have been without a camber =- so I think I will pass.  A larger sail would certainly give me more time on the water as I don't bother to rig and go out if there isn't enough wind to plane or water start.  like I should increase to a 7.0 sail but make sure it is light.

Does a sail without a camber make it more difficult to water start?

Lynn

Answer
Hey Lynn,

Difficulty water starting a sail without a camber depends a lot upon how you set your sail up for the waterstart. If you are trying to fly the sail from the water by lifting the mast or boom out of the water (which is how I rarely do it), a non cambered sail is usually more difficult as you have less pocket in the sail to catch air with.

If you are bringing the mast over the tail of the board to get wind under the sail, getting it to fly is about the same as with a cambered sail. It may take just a bit longer to get wind under the sail and get the water to clear the sail.

I have tried to fly the sail direct from the water and have always found it to be too much work. So, I almost always use the mast over the tail method to preserve energy for sailing.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover