🏄 Windsurfing Sail & Board Size Calculator
Get a starting-point recommendation for sail size and board volume based on your weight, the wind speed, and your skill level.
Matching your gear to your weight and the wind
Choosing windsurfing equipment is a balance between sail power, board stability, and the wind you’re sailing in. A sail that’s too big for a light wind day is hard to control; a sail too small on a light day won’t get you planing. This calculator applies rule-of-thumb ratios widely used in windsurfing gear guides to give you a reasonable starting point.
How the estimate is made
Sail size starts from a common baseline of roughly your body weight in kilograms divided by 10, which approximates a suitable sail (in square meters) for a moderate 15-knot wind. The calculator then adjusts that size up for lighter wind and down for stronger wind, at roughly 0.15 m² per knot of difference from that 15-knot reference. Board volume is estimated as a multiple of your body weight that depends on skill level — beginners generally need much more buoyancy (around 3-4 times body weight in liters) for stability, while advanced planing-focused sailors can use smaller, lower-volume boards.
These figures are general planning guidelines, not a substitute for advice from a local windsurfing shop or instructor, who can factor in your specific board design, local wind conditions, and sailing style. Actual gear needs vary with fitness, technique, and equipment brand.