I am 5'7, 165 pounds and I can handle the full rig. Being about the same size, you should be able to too. You are looking for excitement. It sure is exciting, especially in anything over 15 knots. Go for the full rig and don't look back.
Paul Goodison is 5'11" and about 175lbs, some of the fastest sailors aren't the biggest sailors. If you're going to sail a full rig you will be fast in light air, but will have to work extra hard in medium and heavy air to sail fast upwind. In a radial you will still have to work hard, but it might be a little more comfortable.
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Goody is taller than that, he is also extremely fit - something most of us on here are not.
It may be exciting but can you honestly say you are competitive in all wind strengths being that small.
As far as which rig to sail, you definitely fall into the "in between" range. I think you should get both rigs and pick one based on conditions, IMHO.
Absolutely not! 15 Knots is nearing the upper limit of my ability to depower the sail. But it sure is exciting!
Goody is taller than that, he is also extremely fit - something most of us on here are not.
How exactly is he in between at 5'5, 163?
15 knots............
If that's your "upper limit" then you're saying you're still severely handicapping yourself at winds even below that.
Also, I will say this: My favorite upwind sailing memories are in a Radial. Nothing like being able to sail in 15-18 knot wind, with big waves and being able to keep the sail powered up to the point where I was just a little past taking the slack out of the vang and just barely pulling the wrinkles out of the luff.
Also, in really heavy air, Radial>FR upwind.
I'm not sure if it was understood that I was talking about excitement, not competitiveness.
How exactly is he in between at 5'5, 163?.
Because he's just about the same size I am, and I race both rigs?
"The best thing for you to do is to ignore what you read on the internet"
"...Except for what I post."
-TonyB
I am 5'8" and weigh 155 lbs. I sail almost exclusively in a full rig and am very competitive.
Nah, I don't know anything about anything so I'm the last person you should listen to.
Actually, I'm probably the second last - remember that Shatty fella who used to post here? He knew even less than me.
I still wish I had another couple inches
I'm not the one that said to ignore advice about SAILING, on a SAILING website and then proceeded give advice about sailing.
I don't think I've ever claimed to know everything about anything, either.
Just wondering, have you competed at any of the following:
-MWE
-MWW
-Miami OCR
-NAs
-CORK
-US Nats
-ACC/PCC
If so, how'd you stack up against the fleet in breeze?
The best season I ever had in FR (when I was 17), I was 5'10, ~180 lbs. I used to pride myself on being a pretty good heavy air sailor and really enjoyed hiking/grinding it out.
When the wind came up, it was funny to see the small guys who had been at the front of the fleet before now getting rolled off the start and having a pretty uncomfortable time going upwind. On the other hand, it was nice to see my own results skyrocket. I still wish I had another couple inches to get over the side, though.
I know quite a few very good Laser sailors who weigh in the 170s, but I don't believe any of them are under six feet tall. Most of them are also in phenomenal shape for hiking.
Have only sailed at the US Nats once. First day blew 18+. I did not stack up against that fleet well at all. Weight, height, and skill related. It was my first year back in a laser after many years. Now I'd do better, but only in the middle of the fleet better. I'm in the 40 y.o., two kids, busy job, other boats category. I agree wholly with your assertion that the best source for decision making data is the local fleet. Just put in my two cents because if it is like our local fleet, this guy would be really disappointed with only a radial. If there are two fleets...different decision possibly.
my guess would be the zephyr being wider would be more stable but might not point as well but has a lot more sail so area maybe faster ??? any ideas