I have recently got back into sailboarding, I wave sailed 20 odd years ago, I have purchased a 105 litre JP x-cite ride, and have been having a blast on the 15 knots + days great board. I live on the central coast NSW as it doesn't get 15 to 20 very often I was wanting to buy a larger board for the below 15 knot days! Not sure what volume or style of board freeride or formula? I weigh 80kgs.

I have been looking at Starboard Futura 122?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Elburto, I'm not an expert by a long shot, but IMO I would go with a larger xcite (120-130lt), simply because if you enjoying the feel of the xcite, a larger version of the same board will require similar technique. Also, JP & Starboard use different fin boxes so if you're not looking at JP, maybe look at a board that has the same type of fin.

From memory, there are also quite a few formula sailors in NSW, so that might be another option. Apart from all that, I've heard good reviews on the futura.

Hi Elburto,

a larger volume board could be handy for you. My Tabou Rocket 140L is my most used board as its very comfortable to ride and easy to sail. Its a freeride board. The Rocket targets the same market as the X-Cite Ride. I've briefly ridden an X-Cite Ride 122 and liked it a lot. I found it to be a bit narrower and longer than the Rocket and probably a bit faster.

I've also briefly ridden a JP Super Light Wind and that was a great board. Quite different to what I'm used to but definitely a light wind weapon. More dedicated than the Rocket.

Sailhack's suggestion of a second hand formula board is a great one. There seems to be a fair number of second hand formula boards for sale as its a big racing class in NSW and racers can buy new gear fairly often. From what I've heard though, formula boards are quite different.

With a bigger board you will be able to use a bigger sail. I know some windsurfers use one board around the size of your JP as their light wind board so there is the counter argument that is all you need. The smaller board argument is true depending on the sailor and the strength of the wind along with the size of the rig. With a bigger rig, something around 9 square meters or so a bigger board would support it while it would require a lot more skill and energy to keep it all balanced on the smaller board if the wind drops a bit.

An issue going with a Starboard is they use the Tuttle fin box system.

Thanks for you feeback much appreciated, good comments with regard to the fin type, makes good sense, i didnt think of that? The biggest sail i have is a NP 6.7 Fusion, do you think i would get away with a 7.5 square meter sail on my current board, would i get planning in say 10 to 12 knots (i know technique and rig setup will have a lot to do with this)? This might save cost of another board?

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Elburto said...

Thanks for you feeback much appreciated, good comments with regard to the fin type, makes good sense, i didnt think of that? The biggest sail i have is a NP 6.7 Fusion, do you think i would get away with a 7.5 square meter sail on my current board, would i get planning in say 10 to 12 knots (i know technique and rig setup will have a lot to do with this)? This might save cost of another board?

You could get a 7.5 going on the 105 with the correct fin, but it won't help you in the lulls. My 'small' board is 109lts (I'm 110kgs) so it's a sinker when the wind dies. One of the best pieces of advice I read when I started 'expanding my quiver' was "Rig your sail for the gusts & choose your board for the lulls". Basically, you want to plane through the lulls, and a bigger sail won't help you there, you'll need buoyancy. More competent w/surfers might disagree, but it works if you live in an area with marginal winds & just enjoy blasting/cruising along.

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Sailhack said...

Elburto said...

Thanks for you feeback much appreciated, good comments with regard to the fin type, makes good sense, i didnt think of that? The biggest sail i have is a NP 6.7 Fusion, do you think i would get away with a 7.5 square meter sail on my current board, would i get planning in say 10 to 12 knots (i know technique and rig setup will have a lot to do with this)? This might save cost of another board?

You could get a 7.5 going on the 105 with the correct fin, but it won't help you in the lulls. My 'small' board is 109lts (I'm 110kgs) so it's a sinker when the wind dies. One of the best pieces of advice I read when I started 'expanding my quiver' was "Rig your sail for the gusts & choose your board for the lulls". Basically, you want to plane through the lulls, and a bigger sail won't help you there, you'll need buoyancy. More competent w/surfers might disagree, but it works if you live in an area with marginal winds & just enjoy blasting/cruising along.

Sounds good unless its mega chop like it can get here..[}:)]

Thanks Sailhack advice taken. CHEERS!