Overshooting recommended sail range?

Hi,

I have a Starboard Futura 133l (2010) and was wondering what was the margin around the recommended sail ranges (6.0-9.5m2). What would be the consequences of using a 9.7m (Severne Overdrive) on this board?

Tx in advance!

[Ian Fox]

There's a fair amount of tolerance and generalisation in the name of simplicity in those sail size ranges.

One of the main variables: Rider weight; the HEAVIER the rider, the smaller the maximum sail size.
(yes, that's correct. Smaller sail MAX for bigger rider on same size board) if you want to stay within an equivalent sweetspot.

Rider+ rig weight/s (both static and dynamic) act to "overpower" a board's size (both its' volume and planing lift). A large gruntier heavy (in both nett weight and ride/feel terms) sail of xm2 with a heavy weight rider will be less "sweet" on the same board than a light weight rider with large"light" sail [of the same xm2].

Bottom line ; Unless you're into the heayweight category, the OD9.7 will be at the workable "limit" of good upper sail size fun tuning for the Fu133. Doable but not dream. The other question you might want to consider in a no BS appraisal is what is your next sail size smaller (or, how much EXTRA bottom end will you get from going to the very biggest sail size over what you have already (?unknown in this discussion ?) . In real world usage, the closer you get to the max sail size for a given board quite often this becomes a law of diminishing return. ie ; how much more PRACTICAL RANGE will you get from a 9.5m over (say) a 8.5m?)

To get the best when maxing sail size vs board, you will need to fin up accordingly to suit !

Cheers ~ Ian

Ian,

Thanks so much for all these explanations, it all makes sense. My next sail down is an 8.0m2 and weigh 83kg. It's just that I found myself several times last summer 'near-planning' but not quite in 10-12 knot winds (Mediterranean) and have built up a fair amount of frustration. Given what you have just said, not sure I should even consider upgrading, an perhaps work more on technique.

Cheers!

[PrydeMan]

Originally Posted by FuturaRider

Ian,

Thanks so much for all these explanations, it all makes sense. My next sail down is an 8.0m2 and weigh 83kg. It's just that I found myself several times last summer 'near-planning' but not quite in 10-12 knot winds (Mediterranean) and have built up a fair amount of frustration. Given what you have just said, not sure I should even consider upgrading, an perhaps work more on technique.

Cheers!

If you were just off planning with the 8m, consider how the sail has been rigged (e.g. more shape with a slightly tighter leach is good for bottom end power) plus a bigger fin with greater lift is a must. Also a slightly higher boom helps with bottom end of the wind range. This maybe enough to get you on the plan.
All this with some technique adjustments and your planning before your mates.

[Ken]

Don't forget pumping. The difference between slogging and planing in 10-12 knots for anyone your size with an 8.0 sail is pumping. There is a technique that includes arms, body and legs that will get you going if you practice. Pumping against a bigger fin helps quite a bit too.

I weigh 77 kg and can pump on plane with an 8.4 on my iSonic 111 in 10-12 knots. The wider tail helps a lot compared to the Futura, but the F133 should be plenty of board to plane in your wind.

PrydeMan,

Thanks for your suggestions. I use a winch to haul the sail down so think I have already applied quite a bit of downhaul but I will try with more next time. In any case I know I have still room for improvement on technique.

Ken,

Thanks, my pumping can also improve quite a bit. On the other hand I'm thinking...you weigh 6kgs less than me, have a wider board and a larger sail, and hence getting a larger sail could also help me.

Cheers.

make sure you're actively using adjustable outhaul - bagging out the sail in a lull can give you the little bit extra power to push you on plane...personally, hate pumpiing, just takes too much energy, lol.

[PrydeMan]

Originally Posted by FuturaRider

PrydeMan,

Thanks for your suggestions. I use a winch to haul the sail down so think I have already applied quite a bit of downhaul but I will try with more next time.

Cheers.

I'm suggesting less not more down haul, but less. Play a bit with the out haul and down haul settings. Try and get the rig to feel powerfull, but manageable. Don't forget fin size.

Ian is absolutely right that sailor weight limits the upper wind range. From personal experience, I sailed last year on isonic 101 at 185 lbs. The stated upper limit of 8.5 meters was reasonably comfortable.

This spring at 195 lbs - only 10lb increase - the 8.5 is noticeably less comfortable.

It seems that when you're at the upper weight range for a particular board, even a few pounds can make a dramatic difference, especially in marginal conditions when you are pushing the sail size limits of the board.

[COACHG]

FuturaRider,
I have a Futura 133 (2009) & I have a 9.8 sail. But to be honest I have never used, or considered using the 133 with the 9.8 sail. I weigh 75 kg and also have a 160 L formula board that I match up with my 9.8 sail.

I think you are on the correct path. I would only consider using the 9.8 with the 133 if I had most of my sailing days in super light winds with no formula board. But if only a few days a season where you can’t plane up with your 8.5 than play with tuning or technique or rig a smaller 5.5-6.0 & do light wind freestyle on those days. I just don’t see much gain pairing the 133 with a 9.8.

Coachg