Hi, im 189cm x 105kg.Can someone please point out the advantages of modern shaped boards. Ive tried ol 90s rides n a few new shaped boards. Newer things are in my experience harder to ride than longer narrower 60-65cm boards.I understand it all looks good n fast on paper but the new boards are harder to master on the water.
Gotta bear way off to get it going. Right on the edge of CATAPULT KINGDOM. Then as it just jumps over its own bow wave, its time to move my feet into the straps. Problem is some elephant left its feet on my legs. Board skates all over the water as i try for the straps n WHAM im flung over the bars AGAIN??? So WHEN IS A NEW BOARD EASIER TO RIDE???? WHATS THE SECRET???

When its one of these - modern boards are actually very functional but they do come with their quirks which you have actually nicely summed up.

Your experience is quite a common feedback we have been hearing from riders in the market - and especially intermediates.

I test ride, team ride and produce content / branding guidance for Windtech. Neil Scheltema is the shaping guru and we came from a place of
looking at the benefits of some of the more moderate lengths and narrower boards. Neil has also just absolutely NAILED a fin combo with these boards - so you don't have to then try and solve the fin problem all by yourself. Affordable g10 fins that ride like expensive carbon fins , will not spin out all day long and transform sail power i nto speed and acceleration.

The end result - you sail all day long without terror once powered up - and experience a smooth planing transition in lighter air.

https://www.windtechwindsurf.com/

I know it's a bit of a twist , but get your back foot in first , that's what I do . Then u have absolute control and catapults are a thing of the past.
Then tell that puppy who's boss .
Sorry beer 4.

Imax1, i do move back foot first on RB, But that felt wrong on Xcite. Hmmm Guess ive got some unlearning to do.

Don't hook in before you are planing and have 1 foot strapped. That will change after you are used to the board

The problem with those old boards was the flat rocker made them fast but they did nothing else very well at all.

I think that now that boards do do everything else well, all you need to do is be progressive due to the rocker line and that bow wave u speak of. Don't make major changes as you are getting towards planing (so I disagree with back foot first as that makes a big nasty boardtrim and stance change)

As the board gains speed (bearing away if need be) slowly move the feet back to being on the centreline just in front of their respective straps. Then u are jussst starting to plane and getting faster and you feel it would be better for control if feet were in the straps so u move the front in. Then maybe hook in at that point, then the back foot in. (Maybe other way around) Now round up to a reach.



The biggest mistake people make between non planing and planing is thinking that the goal is to be in the straps and harness. We talk about learning to use straps and harness so much that people think that is the goal. Its not. You go from non planing , to planing flat out in straps, in a progressive fashion. You get in the straps because you have to.

The new school boards maybe just need a little bit more finesse in that 'grey area' between non planing and planing due to increased rocker. But once u are blasting and once you want to gybe, you appreciate not being on a 280x60 slalom board from 1995 trust me.

Your problem is perhaps being in a fast sailing zone too soon - with regards to stance, hooked in, or in the straps - and the board speed is so low that a gust makes you catapault. Once fully planing and locked in and in the planing stance / straps / hooked in, a gust makes you faster, not catapault. With old boards that mistake was a little less apparent.

Hang off boom like Monkey ( ape-man impersonation, light feet )
Front foot in
Back foot in
Hook in

One modern board without this issue is the Severne Fox.
I had not taken much notice of the bow wave issue with my other modern boards until i sailed the fox, as i thought it was just part of sailing.
The Fox transitions to planing so smoothly you cant really feel the point when it releases.
Similarly when in lulls it comes off the plane so smoothly you cant seem to decide if you are planing slowly or not planing at all.
It does not stall in the gybes like my other boards, and i'm getting my first fully planing gybes, which i had given up on achieving.
I bought it to be comfy through the chop, and got a bonus feature.

On a side note (sorry) - I would to love to see a write up on the Severne Fox - McSailing.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

no board is a lead zeppelin (mis-spelled on poipus)

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Magnus8 said..
Hang off boom like Monkey ( ape-man impersonation, light feet )
Front foot in
Back foot in
Hook in

www.guycribb.com/userfiles/documents/The%20Missing%20Link.pdf

Joe windsurf, yep thats exactly whats needed. You got it, ZEP ROCK it!! Takes you back a few seasons..
GREAT INTERLUDE!!

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olskool said..
Hi, im 189cm x 105kg.Can someone please point out the advantages of modern shaped boards. Ive tried ol 90s rides n a few new shaped boards. Newer things are in my experience harder to ride than longer narrower 60-65cm boards.I understand it all looks good n fast on paper but the new boards are harder to master on the water.
Gotta bear way off to get it going. Right on the edge of CATAPULT KINGDOM. Then as it just jumps over its own bow wave, its time to move my feet into the straps. Problem is some elephant left its feet on my legs. Board skates all over the water as i try for the straps n WHAM im flung over the bars AGAIN??? So WHEN IS A NEW BOARD EASIER TO RIDE???? WHATS THE SECRET???

What he said.

My old man, brother and I all share boards and a 2005 era RRD we have is atrocious, I sail it rarely but everytime I do, I usually step straight off the back the first time I get on the plane, it's too damn short. It also sails almost exclusively off the back foot, very tiring.

It's not all modern boards though, A mate's JP Supersport doesn't have these vices but I'm with you, I prefer the feel of thinner long boards.

After buying Starboard, Tabou and Patrik boards I couldn't come to grips with the short wide outlines I switched to the new Windtechs early this year, Fast, comfortable with an exceptional wind range.
I'm able to sail longer and rediscovered what sailing is all about.......enjoyment

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Outraged said..
After buying Starboard, Tabou and Patrik boards I couldn't come to grips with the short wide outlines I switched to the new Windtechs early this year, Fast, comfortable with an exceptional wind range.
I'm able to sail longer and rediscovered what sailing is all about.......enjoyment

How does the board go in more marginal and gusty winds? Could you upload a photo of your new board?

^^+1 Outraged show us what you are talking about. Im ALL about the fun factor.

Bin thinking of what seems to be a maybe issue you have with newer boards .
they are all different ...and yes ,you have to sail them differently .
ive got a few boards in this size .130 Titan 125 rocket ,115 Patrick 115 rocket .
even though I'm 98 kgs now all have to be sailed differently .especially getting them going ,
which I think is the issues you are finding diffent ...to you long boards ...
1. Run them down wind a bit more than your long boards .
2. They will take slightly longer to get on the plane as there is a slight pause compare to a long board .
3 .top speed is better because you have less area in the water once planing .
4.better to gybe .
5 .lighter under foot ...which was a big nice difference I really liked .
i found the wider Titan a slightly earlier planer ,due to width ,but I prefer the 125 rocket as it takes off ,like a rocket .
due to the 69 wide it is a nicer board in the ocean in 17 knots .
If the ride does have issues getting planing ,it might be the weight of it plus width ...

carbon boards are way nicer and are like a corvette compare to a mini moke.
i think with time you will get to like the newer boards ...just give it more time ...

i hook in first ,front foot in second .then rear ...but what ever works for you .

hope you find the sweet spot soon

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olskool said..
^^+1 Outraged show us what you are talking about. Im ALL about the fun factor.

www.windtechwindsurf.com/

Smooth back foot first gybe with slow-mo with no "big nasty boardtrim and stance change" - The trick is to hang your weight on the boom to keep the board trimmed flat. Notice I hook in just before I slim in the back foot.

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Imax1 said..
I know it's a bit of a twist , but get your back foot in first , that's what I do . Then u have absolute control and catapults are a thing of the past.
Then tell that puppy who's boss .
Sorry beer 4.

Yes I like that but if the wind is very gusty and marginal it can be hard.. I sometimes get my back foot in before a gust so i feel safe but it generally bogs the board down. I'd be better if I left it till it hit but I'm a whimp..

Sboardcrazy, its got nothing to do with being whimpy. On my RB its WAY easier n more comfy to BFF. But as you say on the shortboard it really puts the brakes on.
So ive gotta move mastrack back n yank down on the boom to get more MFP. Then FFF. See how i go. Wheres the wind when you want it???? Let me at it!!

hey sailquik is there any chance you can do a video of your foot work on that gybe i cannot grasp how you did that it seamed like you pivoted on your back foot right at the back of the board.