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salt or freshwater

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Created by gavnwend > 9 months ago, 13 Jul 2013
gavnwend
WA, 1374 posts
13 Jul 2013 8:38PM
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Would a windsurfer go faster on saltwater or a inland lake in exactly same conditions.just wondering l know salt water is more buoyant as opposed to freshwater.

jn1
SA, 2770 posts
14 Jul 2013 9:01PM
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In salt water you definitely plane faster. Board is much more responsible (reaction to foot pressure input, can pop jumps easier and higher etc) in salt water. I'm 70kg, and my boards feel like they have about 10kg more volume in the salt. Faster: I couldn't say on my experience. My salt water slalom spots and the fresh water ones are in completely different geographical locations with their own system effects, so it would be a poor comparison to say.

jimbob SA
SA, 1000 posts
14 Jul 2013 9:41PM
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salt water on a lake definetly faster, my local lake is twice as salty as the sea and way faster than fresh, actually its been the fastest lake around the last few summers, allows you to sail much smaller volume boards easier.

have a spot lined up for later that is 7 times saltier than the sea has a wicked sand spit at the perfect angle for our prevailing summer wind, sailed there in the late 80's but on some ancint gear then.

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
14 Jul 2013 10:18PM
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jimbob SA said..

salt water on a lake definetly faster, my local lake is twice as salty as the sea and way faster than fresh, actually its been the fastest lake around the last few summers, allows you to sail much smaller volume boards easier.

have a spot lined up for later that is 7 times saltier than the sea has a wicked sand spit at the perfect angle for our prevailing summer wind, sailed there in the late 80's but on some ancint gear then.


Hey Jimbob - that wouldn't be a small local lake just West of town would it? If it is, you'll be doing plenty of turns!

decrepit
WA, 12887 posts
14 Jul 2013 9:47PM
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I think once up and planning, there wouldn't be much difference in otherwise identical conditions.
As Jimbob says the difference is in ease of getting going, small sinky, speed baords are a pain to get going, any extra floatation is a bonus.

With floaty boards the difference won't be as noticeable.

jn1
SA, 2770 posts
14 Jul 2013 11:20PM
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jimbob SA said..
have a spot lined up for later that is 7 times saltier than the sea has a wicked sand spit at the perfect angle for our prevailing summer wind, sailed there in the late 80's but on some ancint gear then.


Hey JB.. you'll have the spill the beans on the new spot when I'm down that way again



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"salt or freshwater" started by gavnwend