WindSUP Sails
The best windsurf SUP sails and some curious
SUP Boards » WindSUP » WindSUP sails
WindSUP is conquering Germany, but not in the storm – in the light wind SUP and windsurfing beginners can have their fun. Many of the WindSUP boards come in complete packages consisting of a board and a matching sail, some models include only one board.
That raises the question as to which WindSUP sail is the best. There are different variants: From the folding rig to the inflatable rig everything is possible. Some hobbyists have also tried their own designs
If the combination of windsurfing and SUP is not exhausting enough, you can take your workout to the next level. According to the motto “Who needs a mast?” The sail was developed by PaddleboardSails.
If you really want to learn windsurfing, the fun designs are out of the question. It needs a normal sail.
The short answer: The best windsurf SUP sail
Below I introduce some of the best products. After that I explain what makes a good WindSUP sail. Surely you are interested in my other guides to WindSUP accessories like my guides to SUP life jackets or SUP Leashes .
Mistral WindSUP sail 4,5 m²
- Sail sizes: 3.0 m² / 4.5 m² / 5.3 m²
Depending on your windsurfing experience, your weight and the wind force, you will surely find your suitable model with the different sized sails (3, 4.5 or 5.3 m²). For children, rather offer the 3 square meter variant. The last two sizes are suitable for adults.
I especially like the four-part mast. Disassembled into individual parts, this fits into the only 1.2 meter long bag supplied. In general, the transport is very comfortable, because all the accessories of the sail fits into the single bag. Only for the board you have to find another transport option.
The sail comes with the matching bag, mast, mast foot, leash and assembly instructions.
The material was chosen monofilm, which is not only the standard in modern windsurfing sails, but above all guarantees good propulsion. The boards are especially designed for beginners to windsurfing. Even in unfavorable wind conditions, the sail catches the wind so well and offers good propulsion thanks to the low weight of the board and sail.
Conclusion: The Mistral WindSUP sail is in my opinion the best WindSUP sail. Here you have a modern WindSUP sail, with which you can wonderfully learn the basics of windsurfing. At the same time, the known advantages of Stand Up Paddling (lightweight construction, easy transport) have been incorporated into the development. I highly credit Mistral for constructing a sail for transport in a backpack.
Red Paddle Co Ride WindSUP
- Sail size: 1.5 m² / 2.5 m² / 3.5 m² / 4.5 m²
For the permanent all-round visibility, almost the entire sail is transparent. Especially for beginners, this is a crucial aspect. Other sails often do not.
The Sail Ride by Red Paddle Co is available in four sail sizes 1.5 m², 2.5 m², 3.5 m² and 4.5 m². The first two sizes are suitable for children. The variants 3.5 m² and 4.5 m² are suitable for teenagers and adults who are starting their WindSUP career.
For the sail, there is a bag in which the sail, the boom and the mast foot can be stowed. The mast is in two parts. Otherwise, the ride is not very comfortable in transport.
Red Paddle recruits to produce sails since 1980. Evil tongues would claim that the design of the Ride was probably created at that time. I think it’s really cool, because the old design has something minimalist.
Conclusion: I think the sail of Red Paddle co “Ride” for a very good WindSUP sail. One of the best that currently exists. In combination with the WindSUP Board by Red Paddle co you have a really solid – unfortunately expensive – equipment for windsurfing. The transport is much more comfortable than with conventional epoxy windsurfing boards.
Personally, Red Paddle Co has given away potential. Why does not the sail fit in a backpack? Essentially, a classic windsurfing sail is tuned to SUPs and sold as a WindSUP sail. I would like to see a future in which board, sails and all the accessories fit into a maximum of two backpacks that I can still wear and, ideally, roll. Red Paddle co does not deliver this yet.
Fanatic Inflatable WindSUP Rig - for kids and fun
- Sail size: XS / S / M / L
Fanatic dares something with their new WindSUP rig. The whole thing is completely inflatable. On the scale of inflatable SUP boards to classic windsurfing Fanatics iWindSUP is on the side of SUP boards.
The idea is super cool, of course. With only 1.2 kilograms (XS for children up to 6 years) up to a maximum of 2.2 kilograms (L for adults), the air-filled sail is damned light.
A big plus is also that the construction almost nothing has to be done except the pure inflation. After all, it is a coherent filling chamber. The matching handles are also available.
The Fanatic is more suitable for children. The super light sails can also be kept by the little ones. The concept of windsurfing without power is nothing for someone who really wants to learn windsurfing, because later on real sailing simply the habituation is missing.
You can always have fun with the Fanatic iWindSUPs!
Conclusion: I like the idea of Fanatic really well. Not for nothing has the inflatable WindSUP sail been voted Product of the Year 2016/17 at the world’s largest sporting goods fair. In a nutshell: For kids top – for windsurfers learning flop.
Which parts do I need to build a WindSUP?
As you have seen, many manufacturers offer complete rigs. If you want to build a WindSUP yourself, you have to understand these components.
Mast
Most masts are made of carbon, fiberglass or a mixture of both materials. The length depends on the sail. Typically, these are 400 to 450 cm long masts. Normal masts are divided into two parts. For iWindSUPs, the masts are often divided into three or four. This facilitates transport.
Mast Foot
The mast foot connects the board to the mast. The foot is movable in three directions. The mast base is bolted to the mast base of the WindSUP. On the other side either a trim adapter or a mast extension is attached.
Mast extension
Depending on the model type, the mast is linked to the mast either by length-adjustable mast foot extension or by trim adapter. With the foot extension you can extend the mast length by 30 to 45 cm. In this way you can sail different sized sails with one and the same mast.
Boom
The boom is what connects you to the sail and board. The materials that should be considered are carbon, aluminum or mixtures of both materials.
Sail
The sail is the most important part of a rig. As with windsurfing, the individual sails are available in different sizes and for different applications.
Tampen
With ropes and leashes, you’ll string and trim the sail. They serve to produce the so-called luffing tension or the clew tension on the boom. Usually, the rope is already included in the scope of delivery of Mastfußverlängerungen, booms or in complete sets.
-150 € SUP Sale
Smaller discount offer many manufacturers from time to time, but at supboard-99.dethere are currently up to 150 € discount on selected SUP boards.
If you do not hit, it’s your own fault!
-> To the reduced boards
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Author
Hi, I’m Manfred. For years I’ve written here on standup-experte.com about SUP and everything that goes with it.
Comment by the author
2019 is a great year to enter Stand Up Paddling. Sure the summer will be just as great as last year. And the selection of boards has never been so great!
My favorites for this SUP season are:
- For newcomers without accessories: WOWSEA AN17 305cm (quality, low priced complete set)
- For families: Aqua Marina Atlas * (large board with space for several people)
- For experienced paddlers: Bluefin Cruise 330 cm / 365 cm (wonderful Touring Board)