Hi! I have been following the forum for some time now and I would appreciate your advice.

My level is intermediate, I can do approximately 50% of my gibes and learning to jump now. Weight around 63-65kg

Currently, we quiver consists of
- 86 Tabou 3S 2016 the one with a single fin, which I use at my local spot with sails between 6.0 and 4.2
- 75 Quatro mono (Single fin wave board - 55x230) which I used with 4.7 to 3.7 usually at Tarifa with levante

I like both boards, but I'm considering replacing the tabou for something a bit newer.

My doubt is whether I should be looking for a 85FSW like the tabou 3S+, Kode, etc. a board with 59-60 cm width. Or go for a 95 FSW and use it with 6.0 to 4.7. Would I gain anything on the low end with those extra 10 litres?

The final option is doing nothing, enjoy the 3S until it dies

Thanks!

I think that it is a very personal choice and there is no right tor wrong here, keep in mind that there will never be an perfect board quiver, instead a lot of the fun lies in trying different stuff within ones budget.

I'm similar in weight (about 62-64kg) and in waves I think that there is no real gain in going above 90 liters and a 5.3 sail. So your current set-up with an 86 and 75 liter board is pretty good as it is. You could consider getting something around 95-105l board to go with the 6.0 sail or larger, that would give you a few more days on the water in "freeride" style.

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conradwind said..
Hi! I have been following the forum for some time now and I would appreciate your advice.

My level is intermediate, I can do approximately 50% of my gibes and learning to jump now. Weight around 63-65kg

Currently, we quiver consists of
- 86 Tabou 3S 2016 the one with a single fin, which I use at my local spot with sails between 6.0 and 4.2
- 75 Quatro mono (Single fin wave board - 55x230) which I used with 4.7 to 3.7 usually at Tarifa with levante

I like both boards, but I'm considering replacing the tabou for something a bit newer.

My doubt is whether I should be looking for a 85FSW like the tabou 3S+, Kode, etc. a board with 59-60 cm width. Or go for a 95 FSW and use it with 6.0 to 4.7. Would I gain anything on the low end with those extra 10 litres?

The final option is doing nothing, enjoy the 3S until it dies

Thanks!

I think a 95 is too big if your biggest sail is a 6.0. You might gain a little low end with respect to a 85, but at the end of the story it is sail size that makes a difference. If you had a 7.0 the 95 would be good.

I am around 68-70Kg and I use a Kode FSW 81 and RRD FSW 90. I can use the 90 with a 6.5, although my AV Slalom 88 is much more efficient with it and very happy with a 6.8.

I'd keep the Quatro Mono and buy a freeride board around 62-67 cm wide to get on the water as much as you can.

Thank you so much for all the answers.

I did find a 2019 Goya Bolt 105 (235x64) that I could use it in 14-20knots and then switch to the 75 with 5.3/4.7

I'm not sold on the freerace route yet. Would be possible to use a freerace board with a crossover sail like a gator?

After using my 80 litre slalom board for the last 7 sessions, late today i gave my mid sized board my 100 litre slalom a go with the same 5.6 race sail.

The much wider tail felt so slow - unbelievably difference.in feel. Was sheeting out bigtime as some of the gusts were still 25 knots.

Only fell off one gybe with the bigger board but with the smaller slalom you need to maintain speed when you gybe it otherwise you nearly always end up in the water. Always pros and cons.

Still love my small board as it gives me a high. So much smoother and easier to control in the swell and chop. In strong winds no comparison for control especially if i use it with my small fin.

Putting my 100 litre it in storage after today and like you going to use my 80 and then swapping to my biggest board a 106 litre when underpowered on the small board - perfect.

A cambered 6m will plane a good bit quicker than a Gator especially if you rig with max negative outhaul.

Will feel better too.

I've sailed the Goya proton and liked it a lot. Both smooth and fast over chop and great through planning jibes, highly recommended. :)

You can use freeride sails, such as the Gator, without any problems. If you get the speed-bug you can upgrade sails the sails later too.

The Tabou 3s 86 is a really nice board....sail it until it dies!!