hEY,
just checking out the new naish 2009 sails catalog (cos i am a toy shop freak) and i noted that there is a new sail called "old school". Its like a modern version of the old softer wave sails. It rekon that it would be the ultimate light wind or SUP wave sail. I would go the 5.4 but I note some would prefer the 4.8 eg JB. But either way, if this sail can handle a bit of punishment, cos its softer and would generate a heap of smooth light wind power, itwould be the ultimate SUP or light wind sail.
A meribula special......

Oliver,
This would be perfect for you also. In light winds, a sail that has a softer feel is easier to use also because the power comes on and off smoother than a sail that is ridged and fully battened. DJ would have experienced the evolution of the wavesail and will explain how the older, softer sails had a "user friendly" and a "lighter wind" aspect that really suits SUP and light wind waveriding.
Dig in, you will not be disappointed.

Oliver,
The Naish sail Scotty mentioned sounds perfect for SUP, but you would need to buy a full rig to go with it.

Since you are staring from scratch Starboard have some sail kits, which could be worth a look if they are coming to Australia. This is quote from Ponobill on the Ke Nalu website, you can read the full article on the link to the Starboard dealers conference (kenalu.com/) -

"Starboard also has several complete sail packages for it's boards from Severne Sails. I assume Severne is a subsidiary of Starboard. These packages are brilliant bits of marketing-a complete kit of everything you need to stick a sail on a board: Mast, booms, sail, extension and base, all in one handy carrying case. They have a line intended for SUP sailing that would stand up to the rigors of wavesailing. They start at about $699 complete. But for most uses I would actually bypass that and get the sail kit they have created for their beginner windsurf boards. It's also complete, and it's not designed for serious wave use, but it uses ultralight kite cloth for the sail, a very light boom and mast, and costs $399 to $499. Perfect for playing around on a lake or river, and probably even some lightweight wavesailing."

If you are not intending to use it in the surf then one of the cheaper kits would probably do (these prices would be in US dollars). Auswind is the Australian distributor for Starboard they could probably give you more information.

Steve

Oh, it seems it's much more complicated than I first thought.

When I bought my board, I just assumed Naish board, Naish mast/boom/rig and Naish sail should just slot in as one seamless experience.. But as usual, I guess there's much more to it than what the salesman tell you.

Do those starboard sail kits that "may be coming to Australia" fit on my Naish board. I noticed that the new 2009 Naish boards have completely different sail fittings than my 2008 board. It's all starting to sound a bit "new school" and complicated for my liking.

I just want something that is going to work well for my board and this "old school" sail that Scotty is talking about.

In my short time on this forum I haven't heard much about fitting sails to SUB's. If someone has some experience with this it would be good to share.

If I'm starting from scratch and I want to get one of those Naish "old school" sails happening on my board for light winds what are all the bits I should get?

btw: sorry brooko for wanting to use my board to sail. hehe

I havn't seen the 2009 naish sails yet but it sounds like a great idea from Naish

My experience with modern dacron sails is with Hot Sails Maui Superfreak, they are working really good on SUPs, as Scotty Mac says being softer than a monofilm sail the power comes on and off smoother and the sails are really user friendly and easy to rig (you can probably find some 2nd hands one as they've been in the market for quite few years already) ; if the Naish are similar they'll also work for experienced riders in wave and freestyle .

This is Giampaolo with a superfreak in Hookipa (mauisurfreport.blogspot.com)

Oilver,
Its not really that complicated but I do advise that someone like DJ or the boys at SHQ give you some advice. As windy miller says, second hand is a good way to go to save some dollars and there is plenty of good second hand gear around.
Regards,
Scott

Thanks for the "sacrafice" Dogman, I betting the swell will be up here tomorrow plenty of Ice mate fifteen to twenty minutes on the hour. DAMN !! we need our knees for SUPing .

Scotty your right about an old school soft sail on your SUP I've tried both and my early ninties Simmer 5m worked a treat, as you say more managable pity the thing has recently just fallen apart with age ! a bit like "me" double DAMN !!

Yeah thanks for the sacrifice Dogman, looks like tomorrow is going to be good for both sup's and kiting. I've been on the foil for the last 2 day and my legs are sore as hell but those things are so much fun.
Lets hope the swell keeps coming up this way, i just checked the swell buoys and they are pointing straight up which is promising.

Jacko

"Speaking of water toys and fun, here is a pic i took of Paul J on his new hydro foil toy yesterday."

Great pic and very cool but jeeez.....I'd be a bit worried about using just foot straps on a foil board...You're asking for a ankle or knee injury if you have one foot come out..That's why Laird and Dave use the snowboard boots...Just a thought...and do those things float?

Hey Scotty...Don't worry I'll get Oliver sorted with his windsurfing gear..He just needs to buy a new mast base (the pin type) see my pic.

I'll help him chase down a good second hand rig..I reckon around the 5.5 range.

That 09 Naish 'Old School' sail looks great but once I noticed the long battens don't go all the way to the mast I thought I'll pass in that..Sure it's soft and good for learning because you can sheet out till the luff flaps but it's not a good feeling in a gust having the sail trying to backwind on you..Light winds should be fine.

I really like the look of the new Naish 'Global Freeride' sails..I'd be keen to buy a new 5.2...My old North sails are on their last legs..Still great sails tho.

Also re those old school sails I used to stay with a good friend Kai Hopf when in Sydney and he had his own sail loft at his house and he was right into those soft sails with 3/4 length baterens..(an influence from Mark Paul I think)..I never liked them because I like to sail overpowered..We get stronger winds here in Melbourne and the Sydney guys tend to fart around more in light winds...imo..

BTW...Kai Hopf is now the number one designer for North sails in Maui and the last time I saw him was at Hookipa...I'll never forget one year at the Mambo Kai was going off hitting mast high waves overpowered with a 4.2...arr those were the days.

I might do a sucker cam vid windsurfing my SUP one day soon..

DJ