size of board and sail

Question
QUESTION: Dear Windlover,
I was reading many question and answers 杔earn a lot from them and think that I might need smaller board that was recommended to me.

I am 58 years old, used to sail on long boards before.
Plan to buy new equipment.
I weight 65 kg
Typical wind 20 km/h
Will sail on lakes

Skills- good sailing experience, on windsurfer could do tack and sometimes gibe.
Can plane when wind allows (no pumping technique). Still do not use harness or stripes. Want to learn to use harness, water start and gibing.

What board volume and what sail size do you recommend?
I am thinking about JP Australia x-cite 160 or 145 and sail 6-6.5

Thanks
Maria


ANSWER: Hey Maria,

A board with 160 ltrs will float you a bit better during lulls or light winds. It would also allow you to use a larger sail if you needed to. If you are wanting to advance your skills towards shorter board sailing, then the 145 ltr would be something you would grow into. You should still be able to rope start a 145 and also sail lighter winds.  It would also be a bit easier to learn waterstarts on vs. larger board. As for sail size, if your winds are consistantly 20kts, a 6.0 would probably be a bit easier to handle with your size. If 20kts is the high range, then a 6.5 would maybe be the better choice.

If you are able to get lessons, I would recommend getting one or two lessons to learn harness and waterstarts. If you are able to read and learn or watch video and learn, check out windsurfingmag.com under instruction for some great help. Also check out videos by Peter Hart and Alan Cadiz for great instructions.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

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

QUESTION: Thank you very much Windlover,
I could not find anymore 145(JPXcite) so I bought last 160L.
Also my son ( bigger then me) said he is interested in learning too.
Now we have to choose rig.
Any suggestion on sail? we have sometimes stronger wind so I thought no more then 6 if it is enough to plane and learn other stuff with board 160L.
Any specific harness is recommended or any type is good?
Yes I will take few lessons- thanks also for video recommendation.

Thank you so much
Maria

Answer
Hey Maria,

A 6.0 should work well for you and your son for light winds and up to 20kts. Your next size smaller would depend a bit on your sailing skills and how you are able to handle the 6.0 at 18-20kts. The normal rule of thumb is to go down 0.5 sq meter after 6.0 but if you are looking to buy a new sail, the wind range is higher so you could probably go with a 5.0. Also, if you find yourself wanting more power in light winds, you might consider getting a 7.5. This may also be better for your son as you mention he is bigger than you.

As for harnesses, this is always a hard subject to recommend. Most folks will recommend a waist harness because they are easier to use than a seat harness. With a waist harness the hook is higher and is easier to hook in and out of the harness lines. The one major problem with a waist harness is they tend to ride up the body and can be uncomfortable. A seat harness will stay in place very well but the hook is lower and is a bit harder to get hooked into the harness lines. A seat harness gives you more leverage on the sail and allows you more control in higher winds. Usually it comes down to a personal preference. If you have the opportunity to test ride some different harnesses or at least try them on and hang from a demo boom in the store, you can get some idea of what might work best for you.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover