Depending on where you are sailing, how much you weigh and what type of board(s) that you own, the sail type and size will vary. For now we’ll make suggestions with the assumption that you are a male of average weight (77gk – 170 lbs) possessing a “bring it on” learner who wants to progress quickly within the Montreal area.
A good all-round sail size to begin with for this weight and attitude will be between 6.5-7.5m to begin with. Now, as the wind increases it creates too much power and pull for the sail to be in control. The point at which this happens is very much dependant on your own bodyweight and strength. A heavier and/or stronger sailor can hold bigger sails in stronger winds using their weight, strength and harness to balance themselves against the force of the wind.
However, all windsurfers will eventually have to change down to a smaller sail as the winds increase in strength. So, different sail sizes exist for different conditions and wind ranges just like boards.
Different Types of Sails
If you have spent any time looking around the windsurfing market, you may have noticed the different variety of sails that are out there. It can be confusing, but with a basic knowledge of what sails types are available, you can make an educated decision about what you want according to your goals.
As with the boards, a wide variety of sails exist because there are an infinite variety of different wind strengths and water conditions that you can go windsurfing in. Fortunately for everyone, there are clear categories for sails as well.
Formula / Race: As with the boards, Formula or Race sails are made to go upwind and downwind. The first indication that you are looking at a race sail is the size of the luff sleeve (which is usually very wide) and the number of cambers that are in the sail which hover in the 3 or more range depending on the year of the sail. These are not beginner sails, no matter how inexpensive they are, these are race sails.
Freerace (Cambered): Made for the common mortal who wants the acceleration of a race sail, but want a comfortable and powerful ride. Today most manufacturers are producing freerace sails with 2 cambers, therefore they are lighter in weight. In our opinion, there is only one advantage to having a cambered sail nowadays, and that is how the sail will power through the holes in the wind in gusty conditions due to its rigid profile.
Freerace (Not Cambered): No Cam free race sails combine speed, handling and easy rigging without the heaviness of a cambered sail. The only disadvantage that you find with no-cam free race sails is that there is a minimal difference in the way that it will power through the holes in the wind. These types of sails are generally a little less powerful than a free ride type sail for getting up on a plane, but due to their more rigid profile, they can carry you further in the wind.
We feel that there are more disadvantages to a beginner purchasing a cambered sail as opposed to a no-cam sail:
1) A cambered sail has a wider luff sleeve (which means that the sail is heavier once it is wet).
2) Rigging the sail is much more involved due to the higher tensions that the cambered sails require.
3) Transitions while sailing (gibing, tacking) are much more involved because the cambers must be pushed out and snapped into place during the transition.
4) A no-cam sail is lighter.
5) Water starting a no-cam sail is much easier.
Freeride: Freeride sails generally have about 6 battens or more (depending on size) for stiffness and increased directional stability. The outline of this type of sail has the largest area placed low – as the foot of the sail will usually be lower and sit closer to the board. The low placement of the power band brings the center of effort of the sail down thus making the sail more controllable and well-balanced for the everyday sailor who wants to do everything.
Freestyle / Freemove: There is no standard for a freemove sail. Generally these sails are a combination of the maneuverability of pure freestyle sails that incorporate some power features from freeride designs. The foot will generally be cut a little higher to allow for easy maneuvering. A large part of the area of the sail will be incorporated above the boom where the wind flow is faster to give more power and early planing ability.
Most sailors will be happy with either one of these types of sails. In our opinion, without going into too much detail about board type of goals, a good rule of thumb would be; when an individual is looking for a sail between 5.8m and 6.5m, they would look at a freemove sail. If they are looking into a bigger sail (6.5m – 7.5) go with a freeride sail.
Now to bring all of these types of sails together and give you the difference between Race / Freerace / Freeride / Freestyle-Freemove sails.
It all boils down to directional stability. This means the sail’s tendency to want to go in a straight line and not be quirky and nervous.
1) Race sails are made to go in a straight line upwind and downwind.
Freeride: Freeride sails generally have about 6 battens or more (depending on size) for stiffness and increased directional stability. The outline of this type of sail has the largest area placed low – as the foot of the sail will usually be lower and sit closer to the board. The low placement of the power band brings the center of effort of the sail down thus making the sail more controllable and well-balanced for the everyday sailor who wants to do everything.
Freestyle / Freemove: There is no standard for a freemove sail. Generally these sails are a combination of the maneuverability of pure freestyle sails that incorporate some power features from freeride designs. The foot will generally be cut a little higher to allow for easy maneuvering. A large part of the area of the sail will be incorporated above the boom where the wind flow is faster to give more power and early planing ability.
Most sailors will be happy with either one of these types of sails. In our opinion, without going into too much detail about board type of goals, a good rule of thumb would be; when an individual is looking for a sail between 5.8m and 6.5m, they would look at a freemove sail. If they are looking into a bigger sail (6.5m – 7.5) go with a freeride sail.
Now to bring all of these types of sails together and give you the difference between Race / Freerace / Freeride / Freestyle-Freemove sails.
It all boils down to directional stability. This means the sail’s tendency to want to go in a straight line and not be quirky and nervous.
1) Race sails are made to go in a straight line upwind and downwind.
2) Freerace sails that are still made to go in a straight line, but are easier on the rider.
3) Freeride sails that are made to be easier and more comfortable on the rider so that they do just about anything with it without sacrificing power and range.
4) A Freemove sails is all about maneuverability.
Wave: You may be saying to yourself “Wave sail, I don’t need no stinking wave sail, I live in Montreal !” However, the qualities of a good wave sail – good wind range, easy maneuverability, stability and durability – are the requirements of pretty much all higher-wind sailors. In high-wind conditions, nobody is particularly worried about maximum power, acceleration or speed because it’s windy and there is enough power for everybody out there.
The power issue is definitely one of the most significant areas of difference between sail types. Some sails feel more powerful than others – but this doesn’t mean that you are going to go faster. But for many, a feeling of power is a positive or a desirable point, particularly if that sailor is a heavy-weight. Whereas lighter/less strong sailors will often prefer a more subtle approach of a lighter, less powerful sail
Here are the three different types of sails that you are generally looking at when it comes to high-wind wave sails.
Wave (Onshore): This sail has a lot of power, it is directionally stable, it accelerates quickly and is more of a freeride/wave sail. It goes well in a straight line and you can pop jumps with it when you want to.
Wave (Offshore): These have a little less power with a shorter boom, they are very loose and directional stability is not as much of an issue. This is a sail that you want to play with. It is made to be maneuverable in the waves or high winds.
Wave (Sideshore): These sails are strictly made for pure maneuvering and wave sailing. It is a quirky sail that is made to be a little less directionally stable than its other wave-oriented counterparts.
Wave: You may be saying to yourself “Wave sail, I don’t need no stinking wave sail, I live in Montreal !” However, the qualities of a good wave sail – good wind range, easy maneuverability, stability and durability – are the requirements of pretty much all higher-wind sailors. In high-wind conditions, nobody is particularly worried about maximum power, acceleration or speed because it’s windy and there is enough power for everybody out there.
The power issue is definitely one of the most significant areas of difference between sail types. Some sails feel more powerful than others – but this doesn’t mean that you are going to go faster. But for many, a feeling of power is a positive or a desirable point, particularly if that sailor is a heavy-weight. Whereas lighter/less strong sailors will often prefer a more subtle approach of a lighter, less powerful sail
Here are the three different types of sails that you are generally looking at when it comes to high-wind wave sails.
Wave (Onshore): This sail has a lot of power, it is directionally stable, it accelerates quickly and is more of a freeride/wave sail. It goes well in a straight line and you can pop jumps with it when you want to.
Wave (Offshore): These have a little less power with a shorter boom, they are very loose and directional stability is not as much of an issue. This is a sail that you want to play with. It is made to be maneuverable in the waves or high winds.
Wave (Sideshore): These sails are strictly made for pure maneuvering and wave sailing. It is a quirky sail that is made to be a little less directionally stable than its other wave-oriented counterparts.
Here is a visual guide to what all of the sail type actually look like.
So let's put it all together in one image, shall we ?
It’s not a Renoir, but it gives you an idea of what we’re talking about. So, get out there and windsurf for God’s sake ! Have fun, be safe, smile!
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