RADIAL OR 4.7??

Nathan Omand

New Member
I'm 50kg and I'm wondering if I'm capable of sailing a Radial? I'm pretty fit if that helps... I would rather sail a radial than a 4.7 so I'm not always tagging along at the back of the fleet whereas I'd like to be up at the top rounding the windward mark in a high position.
Any comments would be appreciated.. Thanks
 
thats pretty light for a radial but i know people who sail a radial and are similar weights. if you sail in a place that is only light wind, you might be okay. The problem is if it gets windy you will have problems holding your boat down.
I would rather sail a radial than a 4.7 so I'm not always tagging along at the back of the fleet whereas I'd like to be up at the top rounding the windward mark in a high position
110 is pretty average for a 4.7. I highly doubt that it is your weight that is keeping you at the back of the fleet. I don't understand how changing to a different fleet will improve your results? maybe i misunderstood the question.
 
Well I club race in a handicap fleets, not in a specifc 4.7 fleet. But if I am racing in a 4.7 I will be at the back of the fleet compared to some of the 2 handed boats, whereas a Laser Radial has similar speed to some 2 handed boats. What I don't understand though: (I learned to sail in toppers) Topper Sail area: 5.3sqm, reccomended crew weight: 40kg+ WHEREAS, Laser Radial Sail area: 5.7sqm, reccomended crew weight: 65kg+. Where is the logic in that? The boats are literally the same width, Laser probably wider...
 
You are on the lighter side of the normal weights for a radial, but you should totally sail radials. On light winds to medium winds you will have a slight weight advantage. Also your height is a big factor because the taller you are the easier it will be to get your weight farther out when hiking. From talking to people that I sail radials with, it seems on heavy wind days you just have to do your best to hike harder than anyone else and play the main a lot to keep the boat flat. Pinching will help and just think more tactically and you wont fall too far behind the larger guys (or girls). Sail Radials!
 
You can sail a radial, the weight specs are just a guideline, you'll probably feel overpowered in the breeze, but if you're fit you can handle it no problem
 
Well, I would say sail a radial, they are more widely sailed and you get better competition sailing them...
You are only likely to get heavier and not lighter, so it will play to your advantage.
Also I sail a full rig and I'm about 68kg, I usually handle fine and am usually at/near the front of the fleet (even when windy).
Plus, sailing a boat/rig that you are more overpowered than usual when sailing, makes you better in heavy wind, so if you gain weight and its windy, you will hammer the rest of the fleet.
 

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