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Bluefusionman said..

Mark _australia said..
Its a bit of a big step down. But you don't have to get an in between board. Learn to waterstart on the 130 in winds that are too strong, so its easy to get lifted up and the progression onto the 104 will be much easier.

Thanks Mark, that's very encouraging. Getting my water starts solid is definitely a big priority for this winter

I am an intermediate a bit like yourself. The confidence to commit to your gybes in deeper water once you can water start was a bit of a game changer for me.
I could "waterstart" in water where I could at least stand but doing it over my depth took so long (most of the time) I was knackered by the time I got up. The game changer was a flotation vest, it made it faster, expended less energy = more time on the water .

Hi Bluefusionman,
you have probably when widest 130L board and the narrowest 104L board on the planet.And while the step from 130 to 104 is absolutely perfect, the difference in width of your board is not (most 130L boards are around 75-78cm, most 105L boards are around 65-68 cm. A JP Magic Ride 109/70 or a Starboard Carve 109/67 would probably be way easier (or any other freeride board around 105L / 67-70 cm). Or a FSW like the Kode or Tabou 3S are also very easy to ride.
Maybe rent one for 2-3 sessions. You'll see that it works better and you'll learn to use smaller boards. Then try again your mistral after you learned on other boards. If then you still struggle with the Mistral, sell it and get one of the mentioned boards.

if money is an issue, buy used. At that stage of learning, you'll probably anyway make the one or other catapult and damage the nose (we all did ).

Best,
mariachi76

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Peer78 said..
I have the titan as well and is rides nice and simple. For my 100kg it is my +30l board, which I can uphole comfortably. Considering your weight the mistral is your +30l and therefore quite large. A shorter board needs more front foot pressure that you are used too. Give it a second try, uphole it a few times in lighter winds and get out in stronger winds to get comfortable waterstarting it. With 73kg you will soon have at least another 90l or smaller board, which means you need a big car or trailer carrying all your stuff.

For sure Lol will try out your suggestions thanks mate

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mariachi76 said..
Hi Bluefusionman,
you have probably when widest 130L board and the narrowest 104L board on the planet.And while the step from 130 to 104 is absolutely perfect, the difference in width of your board is not (most 130L boards are around 75-78cm, most 105L boards are around 65-68 cm. A JP Magic Ride 109/70 or a Starboard Carve 109/67 would probably be way easier (or any other freeride board around 105L / 67-70 cm). Or a FSW like the Kode or Tabou 3S are also very easy to ride.
Maybe rent one for 2-3 sessions. You'll see that it works better and you'll learn to use smaller boards. Then try again your mistral after you learned on other boards. If then you still struggle with the Mistral, sell it and get one of the mentioned boards.

if money is an issue, buy used. At that stage of learning, you'll probably anyway make the one or other catapult and damage the nose (we all did ).

Best,
mariachi76

Great advice thanks mate, live and learn hey .. I didn't realise that width is an issue when I bought the mistral I just went for the litreage

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MagicRide said..
Since you are already familiar with the naish brand, have you thought of the starship? It truly is an amazing board! It's classified as a bump n jump, freestyle wave board and gybes like a dream. The board has phenomenal speed along with a huge wind range. I use mine from 16 mph winds with 5.8 sail to 30 mph winds with a 4.6 sail. I have the 115L and it's still going strong. My board is going into its 7th year now.

Hi Magic Ride, Yes I have looked at the Star Ship . It looks great and I did see a recent model on sale for $2500.
I thought they were maybe a bit narrow and I should probably go for something in the 70cm range if I get another board

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Clarrie67 said..

Bluefusionman said..

Mark _australia said..
Its a bit of a big step down. But you don't have to get an in between board. Learn to waterstart on the 130 in winds that are too strong, so its easy to get lifted up and the progression onto the 104 will be much easier.

Thanks Mark, that's very encouraging. Getting my water starts solid is definitely a big priority for this winter

I am an intermediate a bit like yourself. The confidence to commit to your gybes in deeper water once you can water start was a bit of a game changer for me.
I could "waterstart" in water where I could at least stand but doing it over my depth took so long (most of the time) I was knackered by the time I got up. The game changer was a flotation vest, it made it faster, expended less energy = more time on the water .

Thanks mate, I actually have one in the shed that a windsurfer buddy gave me. I have never used it but will give it a go for sure

A dedicated freeride board of smaller volume would be the best way to transition, I think. You've got a lot of options on the footstrap placement, as well as a lot of volume further forward to make uphauling easier.

See the photo below of the Future Fly Freebird 111, where he's helpfully pointing out all of the placement options. You would start with the straps inboard like you have on the Titan, and then work your way out as you get more comfortable with speed. You can also learn to water start on this, with the option to uphaul if/when you get tired.

At 72kg that should be a good size for your option 3. I would suggest being confident water starting before using the Mistral in rough conditions.

www.ff-boards.com/products/free-bird/ - manufacturer

www.baysideboardsports.com.au/collections/freeride-boards - Australian distributor

The above type of board seems like a great idea .
Even though I'm competent at waterstarting , I still ride boards 15 litres over my body weight so I can pull start , just in case the wind drops . And that's still tricky . A freshly dunked rider and sail would be over 10 kg over body weight , add 10 kg for wet board and you end up with a board 20 litres over body weight almost sinking . If learning , and still want to pullstart you want +30 litres at least . Water starting In light wind is a technique . I'm 115 kg so I've had to adapt .In super light wind , I fly the sail with front foot just behind mast . Super bent front leg , knee at chin .Keep low with back leg stiffly pointing straight down in water . All in one motion throw rig forward and try to headbutt mast as low as I can . Throw body and beergut at the mast base keeping super low .Not so much lifting me up but sliding me sideways on to the board . Humming the Jaws theme also helps . Sometimes when I'm tired and my 9.5 m cammed sail is on the downwind side of the board , it's just easier climbing up and pullstarting than swimming around a drowned big bastard cammed sail I'm .not riding waves so I don't need a smaller board . One less thing I have to worry about .