How much wind to get planning?

[i_alin_alex]

Hi Roger,

I have a 2006 Carve 144 and I am considering buying a V8 9.0. I was wondering how much wind I would need to get planning with the Carve (with the factory fin) and the V8. I weight 90 kg and I am windsurfing only on lakes, I am comfortable in the straps and in harness and I can waterstart so I am somewhere between beginner and intermediate. Is the fin that comes with the board big enough for the 9.0?

Thank you,

[Roger]

Hello Alex,
I'd guess you will get planing (with good technique and a bit of pumping) at about 10-11 knots.
The Carve 144 is only 78 cm at it's widest and only 52.1 cm 1 foot off the tail and you are sailing on fresh water.
The stock 48 cm Drake Freeride Flow 480 fin would be OK for more powered up conditions, but the same fin in a 52 cm or a 54-56 cm
vertical planform fin will sure help to get you planing earlier.
The bigger fin will diminish the "loose and turny" feeling of your Carve 144 a bit, but better to get on plane and have a bit more speed and upwind ability when the winds are marginal.
At a solid 12 knots, you should be fine with the stock fin and will plane up pretty easily.
Hope this helps,

[i_alin_alex]

Thank you very much for your answer.
Unfortunately I can only try my new sail in the spring because the Canadian winter limits my time on the water a lot. At least I can go skiing!!