Are big FSW boards suitable only for use by heavier sailors or would they be a better option for a lightweight in choppy open ocean conditions than a freeride board the same width? Eg. Freeride board, say 65 wide vs FSW board 65 wide, Is the FSW a better option for a lightweight in the above conditions in regard to comfort, speed and control?

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Orange Whip said..
Are big FSW boards suitable only for use by heavier sailors or would they be a better option for a lightweight in choppy open ocean conditions than a freeride board the same width? Eg. Freeride board, say 65 wide vs FSW board 65 wide, Is the FSW a better option for a lightweight in the above conditions in regard to comfort, speed and control?

I had a similar dilemma 6 months ago as a lightweight - big FSW or a small free ride as a light wind board in choppy conditions. Ended up getting a small Freemove which is wider than the bigger volume free ride that it replaced. I found it to be no worse in the chop. Anyway, I think all boards are getting wider and the Free ride, Free move, Free race seem to be converging to the same wide shape.

Both FSW and Freeride boards are suitable for ocean sailing. However if you are going to be sailing waves in light wind you will need a large FSW. Generally they get planning earlier and are faster than a large wave board. In the ocean I use a Freeride or slalom board. My 70cm wide Freeride board is great in the ocean up to about 17knots. It planes early, goes upwind and is fast. If I am jumping over small waves and swells I prefer to use something a bit narrower and stronger. It all depends on your local conditions and what sort of sailing you prefer to do. I hope that helps.

My personal experience is that if you want comfort, speed and control for freeriding in choppy open ocean, you´d be better off with a FREERIDE board rather than a Freestyle one.

Whereas I really, really, loooooove my freestyle board (it's actually my preferred one), I just use it for practicing my amateur freestyle moves. It starts planing quickly and has easy pop. Also, when combined with the FSW fin, it has easy sliding. HOWEVER, when I sail in open ocean and surf waves I am better of with a freeride or a wave board respectively. I feel the pure-freestyle board doesn't have the top speed nor the maneuverability to practice the good-old conventional windsurf style, and I hate gybing on it because it barely has any grip on the water.

Again, that is my personal opinion!!

I have a 110L Naish Koncept (FSW/Freeride crossover eg Tabou 3S)
I've sailed it at margaret river
I've sailed it in 30knt downwind Slalom
I've sailed it at 34.6knts speed sailing
Bump and jump in 15 - 25kn
I love it. Though it's seen better days

It really depends on the design / shape of the board. I've had some FSW's that haven't been great in chop. for some brands the larger FSW boards are closer to free ride shape.