So I have a 2015 Naish Orbit. It is great, for light winds and getting upwind when no one else can.
I'm heavier than your average bear at 125KG's +

The issue I have is the asymmetrical nature of the board is really hampering toe side riding, you really have to point your toes to get the rail fully engaged.

I was hoping for some polite suggestions regarding a twin tip for windier days or more choppy days because the flared ends on this can catch the cop and nose dive.
I was thinking around 145-150 for my size.
Thanks

Something less "Door" shaped is going to be better for you in those conditions. Slingshot Misfit 146 x 43cm would work well, otherwise there are other "Lightwind" twin tips similar size to your board but with narrower tips and some rocker to make them a bit more lively and able to handle slightly rougher conditions, like the Shinn King Gee (146 x 46 or 150 x 50) or Shinn Bronq XL (same sizing)

Cheers.

KP

It's not actually the shape of the board that is making toe-side difficult, it's the width. As your board is light wind specific you will notice some distance between your toes and the edge.
Yes you should look for an "every day" board to compliment your current one.Maybe even consider a bit smaller like a 142cm.

Select to expand quote

BrisKites said..
It's not actually the shape of the board that is making toe-side difficult, it's the width. As your board is light wind specific you will notice some distance between your toes and the edge.
Yes you should look for an "every day" board to compliment your current one.Maybe even consider a bit smaller like a 142cm.

Yes, i have noticed the heelside bias.
Would 142 be to small?

The Naish's shape certainly doesn't help with toeside riding, especially with trying to keep the nose up and out of the water, but yes width is a big factor.

142 would be ok as long as it is 43-44cm wide, at 125kg+ light, you need that surface area so you don't bog down too easily.

Shinn Monk comes in 137 x 44cm for the big blokes and is a really popular board, compared to the Misfit 146 x 43cm you would only suffer a little bit in the lower end even though the Shinn is 9cm shorter, the width plays a much bigger part in a boards low end planing speed.

... hey Fos, I'm the same weight as you and I found not only is width as a factor for board choice but also stiffness amongst a few other factors but flex plays an important part for heavy weights. Not all 'light wind specific' boards are the answer for us guys because what makes them work well for light guys won't for you. As you and I bend and twist things differently.

When I was looking for a new all round TT years ago I tried a few 'lightwind specific' boards and most of them weren't good enough, not quite right for the job. The worst at the time was a Naish, model I can't remember, which was great for the light guys but terrible for me. Not that it didn't work, it was just way too soft in its flex so when I loaded up the rail, the thing would bend so much that it would suddenly spin out despite the massive fins. I tried other a big massive doors and yes they got me going but not comfortably with some sort of compromise. The big doors had so much size and swing weight, they all felt like you had 2 extra bricks strapped to your ankles.

Then I came across a board that was short-ish but wide enough and it was an Underground FLX, 2009 vintage with dimensions of 144 x 46 cm (I believe the modern equivalent is the Axis Patrol or the Axis Ultra). The FLX was a great board for me as it was short enough to throw around, not have a loooog rail catching but it still had enough rail length for great upwind and go through choppy seas. It was quite stiff so could hold heaps of power and not give way when loading up heaps. Brilliant or us bigger blokes. It was my everyday board.

For higher winds I settled on a North team series board (2009 vintage also, not sure of the modern equivalent) which was not too long but also had a bit of width for my weight. Same as the FLX, it was stiff and I could hold heaps of power which is what us bigger guys need to counteract our weight.

Hope this helps you.

Robbie

Thanks guys.

Ill start looking around on the buy and sells

Either of the biggest CrazyFly Cruisers work well. Ride well healside and toeside, have minimal rocker.