Im looking to buy a new larger wave sail for the new season (largest that will fit on my 85l quad) but am stuck between a few sails.
I have the 5.8 ezzy 2007 (main reason for buying is longevity and its almost bombproof!) since new and have found it great when the wind fairly strong, the power in it is pretty solid but in the lighter winds it feels really heavy. I feel it needs at least 18 knots to get going, even then im just going really.
Im looking mainly at the Simmer Blacktip 5.9m, Severne s-1 5.9 (good for lighter winds/heavier sailors?) Pryde Atlas? and the new North Hero looks pretty nice but only goes up to 5.6m. Im not really sure how these stack up for heavier guys in lighter winds and would appreciate some unbiased opinions
Any larger guys got these or have any opinions on anything else? (im sure some of you have!)
Last summer was sh1t and I got fed up of on/off planing...just want to be a bit better off in the marginal conditions.
Im 92 kgs right now but normally just above 85 during the summer - although its getting harder to shift!
Thanks in advance...
Have you considered getting a bigger board? I'm almost same weight as you and I used to sail 80-85l boards. Now I got a 85l board for high winds and a 100l+ for light winds. Sailed the 100l it on Wednesday with a 4.5 and it works really well.
There are a couple of local shapers that can help you with a larger board..
Yeah man I kinda wish I went for a bigger board now. It took me ages to persuade the missus to let me have a new board (im talking years here!) and thought the 85l would be enough to cover me for all conditions. After last season I should have gone for the 95l I reckon...never mind. May be in another few years!
A couple of years ago when I hit 93kg I tried out quite a few sails and the one that got me moving was the naish force 5.7m plus a 90 litre board.
Get ready now ......... for everyone to recommend they're favourite sail brand and model, just to confuse you more
Select to expand quoteGet ready now ......... for everyone to recommend they're favourite sail brand and model, just to confuse you more
Yeah I know, kinda expecting it! Thats why I hoped it would be unbiased... not everybody has tried heaps of different brands/models. Me for one.
The Naish has crossed my mind too, a mate sails them and loves the power. Good in marginal winds though? 6.2 a bit big maybe and would like to get bit bigger than 5.7 if I can.
But if it worked for you.....
Hey rooster. Yeah the ezzys are great when the conditions are on. I sailed with you and your mate up at GH last year sometime...I think we were both on 4.7's so it was defo on that day! I snapped my mistral...
The 4 battened sails seem good for heavier riders (from what ive read, maybe im wrong?) so the 2010 blacktip 6.0 or 2011 5.9 look good to me atm...Naish Force always gets a mention so its maybe down to them 2. I want to try something different from the ezzy too..
Hopefully it actually blows this season and none of this actually matters!
Phil, I have a 2011 Severne S1 5.6 for sale if youre interested.
Lightest wave sail on the market.
Im around 90 aswell and would always opt for jump in board volume rather than
going to a 5.9-6.0, thats getting big for a wave sail.
Are you looking to plane on a sail that big, or just dog out to the break?
Whilst the s-1 is one im considering, id prefer the 5.9. It may be getting on the larger side of things but i really cant afford a new board. That bit bigger may make the difference, I hate dogging out the back. Really should have gone bigger with me board, modern boards allow you to go a little bigger.
Im off to the gym.
The 4 batten wave sails espescially the black tip are more powerful but if you cant get going with the ezzy then its bigger board time.
Ezzy are pretty powerful sails and yes they do feel heavy but probably the most gutsy sail in that size on the market.
Bigger fin might help but bigger board would be better too.
Just a quick point on the bigger S1's
I have s1's (5.0, 5.6, 6.3) and occaisonally (the last 2 hours in fact) use the 6.3m in small waves but have been warned and have already experienced tube batten breakage (2010 6.3 broke 2 battens at middleton a few months back).
I believe the 5.9 and 6.3 from previous years are't recomended for wave sailing and are classed as "freestyle"- the severne people may be able to confirm this
naish force
i've tried most brands and these seem to be ones offering most grunt for size.
i'm 95kgs and use a 85 and 90 lt board.
most seabreezes i'm on the 5.3 force ,, just use the 5.7 when it;s patchy and hardly ever use my 6.2
Depends on where u sail too Phil - a crossover sail will have more power but be not quite as strong........ but still acceptable for small waves (maybe not Scabs shorebreak on a good day 
).
They are much more powerful than equivalent sized wave sails, much more stable and have waaay more wind range as a result. Many wave sails don't feel good after about 5.6 - 5.7 I reckon.
For many years now I have had up to 5.6 as wave sails, and my 6 - 6.2 as a wave freestyle sort of thing (currently NP Firefly) - and I haven't busted one any more than my wave sails.
I reckon anything bigger than 5.5 would feel uncomfortable on an 85L??? Not that I have sailed a quad...
Seeing as though you're looking at new sails, possibly get a a busted arse 5 y/o 100L board for $500 and a 6.2ish sail same age for $200........ same cost at the end of the day and more options..
I'm 100kg and have a 100 litre Starboard Evo and 85 Litre Starboard Evil Twin and find these a perfect two board wave quiver for me and in light winds i use a 5.8m or 6.4m KA Kult which provide me with enough grunt and power to get going and the 5.8 Kult would be a perfect sail for your 85 Litre wave board. See if you can try them out they are awesome sails
Im also 100kg and have a 75l an 88l and a 102l boards to cover all conditions, in terms of getting a powerful wave sail i would recommend the Severne Blades, they go fairly large and i find these are a lot more powerful than my maui sails or tushies of the same size.
If you want a gruntier and tough Severne sail look at the Blade or Gator; the S1's typically have less bottom end and are built lighter. The blades have full xply windows but the S1's have monofilm. Sails usually bust around the clew/window so the reinforcement is here is pretty critical if your sailing logo or punchy waves regularly, which goes for all sails.
Unless you have a mega budget try and keep your whole setup on the same mast (eg 400), the 5.7 Blade will probably have more power than the 5.9 S1 and it'll just fit on a 400 with a 45cm extension (2011 has 442 luff). This is heading toward the limit of your extension but they're cheaper to replace than masts and you don't have to worry about carrying 2x 400 and 2x 430 or whatever if you go on a trip. Just have a 30cm Carbon and a 45 Alu.
BTW From my experience Alu bases are the go for waves, the weight difference bet carbon and alu is minimal, but you can depend on the alu bases not to leave you high and dry 500km from the nearest shop.
I think that your biggest sail is usually the most important in your quiver. You'll have more fun if your the one planing whilst others are dogging when its light, and when its marginal.. your heading out and a big set approaches you want the power to get out of the ****.http://www.severnesails.com/2011/products/sail_blade.php
www.seabreeze.com.au/classifieds/default.aspx
EDIT:
Just re-read your post. Even with a bigger sail your ~90kg on a 85 is going to be pushing it! Modern boards are very responsive at bigger volumes you might find your money would be better spent on a ~95L wave board. This might sting you more than updating your sail quiver but usually if its light you not doing mega jumps so it'll last heaps longer than a high wind board.
Support local:
www.nudeboards.com.au/Nude_Sailboards.html
nudeboards.tumblr.com/
www.stonesurf.com/
^^ Good point, all the talk about supporting local windsurf shops seems to not be applied to the argument for supporting local manufacturers..
We have two world class sail brands and plenty of board builders.. Thats the 1st time I have heard the 'Buy Local' perspective on this site...
try and have a go on a KA kult. They make a 5.8m, spotty is over 100 kgs and he uses it so it must have a bit of power. full xply construction.
also australian.
www.kasail.com
Phil
I reckon 85 was right for you, but you just need a bigger cruiser for the light days. For the light days, you will be miles better off getting a cheap battered old free ride board around 100L+. Using this and a 5.6, will get you out miles better than an 85 on a 5.9/6.2. Could probably find one cheaper than a new sail as well and will last longer. Usually when its light wind in Perth, there isn't much wind swell so you may as well be on a bigger board and just cruise. And just keep your 85 quad for waves. Then if you have to, you could probably pick a 6.2 up, 2 or 3 years old for 200. If you do go bigger sail, you may as well make the full leap to a 6.2 size instead of 5.9. Any brands, full power wave sail will do. Its all marginal differences people are talking about. At the end of the day, its the same sail size, designed for full power no matter what it says on the marketting material. As someone else said, for the price of a new sail you could get a cheap cruiser board and an old sail. In my opinion, I would definatly do this. A bigger board designed for cruising will help miles, especially if you also want those super light days when scarbs isn't working but you can still go for planing cruising up at the roo.
