• Registered: 2010-06-26
  • Posts: 1

Topic: choice of sail for formula

Hi Bary.
I am 1m75 (5'10) 64kg, sailing formula (f160).
I am currently using a 10.7 sail but looking for a replacement.
I use my formula up to 12/15knots.
would you recommend a 10m or an 11m? i understand that the 11m is more powerful however given my weight I wonder if a 10m would not be more efficient for me (lighter, more nimble rig that I would be able to pump more efficiently at the low end, and then hold for longer as the wind picks up). The 10.7 is a handful when the wind is close to 12/14 knots, and I loose speed compared to the heavier guys.

thks M

  • Registered: 2009-07-30
  • Posts: 34

Re: choice of sail for formula

M,

Not the Team, but here is my suggestion.  I also have an f160, weigh 78kg and use a TR6 9.2 and a TR3 11.0.  I do race formula, but not often.

I am like you with my 11.0.  It's a handful when the wind gets over 12/14 knots.  I think the 10.0 would be your best choice, probably more efficient on all points of sail except deep downwind.  If you race frequently in marginal winds 7-12 knots, then the 11.0 may be your best choice.  However, if you usually race in stronger winds 12 knots+, then you will really like the 10.0.  Less paranoia about "building winds" and getting hammered on the course.

I like my 9.2 a lot and it's usually my choice unless the wind is really light.  Since I usually choose a smaller sail than the other racers, I have worked and perfected my efficiency with small sails.  However, I almost always give up some downwind speed because of the smaller sails.

Hope this helps.  Let's see what Barry suggests......

  • Registered: 2010-06-29
  • Posts: 5

Re: choice of sail for formula

Hi Ken900,

You are not that light with 78 kg. Last year I was 83 kg and had the TR3 11.0. It worked pretty well up to 20 kts of wind speeds. I guess you just have to downhaul it enough and not forget about the outhaul - this sail needs lots of it to go fast upwind with good control and power balance. I used to make the sail really flat in high winds with outhaul. To check if you have enough, you can outhaul it until the moment batten under the boom turns into the other side (into S shape). This is the max of outhaul you can use. I used the sail like that in high winds many times, and it never gave me a hard time. This year I have a TR6 11.0 and the sail is very similar, just a bit more stable and maybe with more higwind range, but I still have to test this more.

Good luck in your tuning!


Karolis LTU1001

LTU1001's Website

  • Registered: 2009-07-30
  • Posts: 34

Re: choice of sail for formula

Karolis,

Thanks for your suggestions.  I will try some of your tuning tips on my 11.0.  Where I sail, our winds are not steady.  A normal 11.0 day will have lulls to 4 knots and gusts to 18 with an average of 9-14. I usually experience some slogging as well as being way overpowered at times.

I guess I should have mentioned that I am 65 and not into high stress formula racing any more.  I am in excellent condition, but have been getting noticeably more conservative as I get older.  I am very competitive, but at the same time, I race for fun so I have to balance my drive to win with common sense and fun.

As for M, at 64 kg, an 11.0 will be a lot of sail.  However, if he is 25 yrs old and strong as an oz, then he may be able to manage an 11.0.

  • Registered: 2005-10-21
  • Posts: 25

Re: choice of sail for formula

I'm 62kg or so, but 165cm, not so tall... Last season I used
11 m2 Warp 09', before that TR-4 10m2; 11m2 was a bit to uncomfortable when the wind would pick up pass 15kn, 10m2 before that would not give me enough power to do well  at the races, speacially downwind.
One good thing, all brands got lighter and rangier (low and high end), so latest batch of sails is better
in all aspects. This year I dropped back in size to 10m2 again but my new Warp 2010 almost has as much
power as 11 from last year, I'm sure it's similar progression with Maui sails.
Bottom line, if you're serious about racing, go for 11m2 maybe XT ver to give you extra light feel, if recreational  racer (racing just for fun), this year 10m2 might be just about right...

Last edited by sergiok (2010-06-29 08:30:04)