Hi All,
As stated, 95 kg experienced rider here. My last high wind board was a Tabou 3S 96 liter. I broke it so need a replacement. The 3S felt nice blasting along but I never got really comfortable jibing it. Maybe need a few more liters? My next board up is a Novenove freeride 110 73 wide. I'm looking for a board to use with 5.5 and a few times a year 4.5. do I go for a Freewave / bump & jump board with say 95 liter or more like 105.
advice appreciated. Thanks, Martin

A few extra litres, and board width, will help in the gybes. So long as you can keep it on the water when the wind is really strong with 4.5m. I'm 80kg and use 94l/60.5cm single fin board with 6m down to 4.5m. I have a smaller thruster freewave for down to 4.5m when there are proper waves. I havent bought a new smallest board for years as I dont use them much, I always buy a secondhand one and save my money for the boards I use most.
The heavier sailors I know all use 103-105l when I'm on the 94l. but they also have a smaller board closer to body weight. If you get a thruster fin board, you can slow it down and make it stick to the water better by putting the thrusters in.

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PhilUK said..
A few extra litres, and board width, will help in the gybes. So long as you can keep it on the water when the wind is really strong with 4.5m. I'm 80kg and use 94l/60.5cm single fin board with 6m down to 4.5m. I have a smaller thruster freewave for down to 4.5m when there are proper waves. I havent bought a new smallest board for years as I dont use them much, I always buy a secondhand one and save my money for the boards I use most.
The heavier sailors I know all use 103-105l when I'm on the 94l. but they also have a smaller board closer to body weight. If you get a thruster fin board, you can slow it down and make it stick to the water better by putting the thrusters in.

Thanks for the elaborate answer. I have no problem in keeping the board on the water. For a while I also had a Flare 111 which I used in very shallow water as a freeride board. Even with a 4.5 it sailed fine.

95 is nice at your size for 4.5, now what's your problem with the jibe? 105 I'd say more like 4.7 better 5.0 at the min limit or if you're closer to 100kg.

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PhilUK said..

The heavier sailors I know all use 103-105l when I'm on the 94l. but they also have a smaller board closer to body weight.

Meant to say 103-115l.

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Manuel7 said..
95 is nice at your size for 4.5, now what's your problem with the jibe? 105 I'd say more like 4.7 better 5.0 at the min limit or if you're closer to 100kg.

The 3S jibes ok for me but I never felt comfortable with the domed deck. My next board up is a Novenove 110 Stylemove. It jibes extremely well and I like the 73cm width. I like a slightly wider board with a flatter deck.
I try to keep my weight at 95 but at 55 years it's a challenge:-)