Hi Guys,

Just after some tips on picking a speed board for lake Illawarra (Primbee) this winter. Don't want to spend much first up so hoping to find something second hand in the range of $400-$800, give or take. Been sailing on and off for 20years with some large breaks in that time, and not been out much in the past 12 months. I'm a little rusty at the moment but fairly capable on a good day and not scared to crack away in the gusts and go for it.

The smallest board I have is a 101 futura which gets a little out of control on the big days. As for sails I've got a 5m Koncept and 6.5m Redline which will have to do the job for now. I do have some bigger gear but not much use in a big westerly. I've also just picked up 19cm MUF delta slalom (Tuttle) which should help to get me into the flatter water closer to shore. As for me I'm 92kgs and around 180cm tall. So if anyone has any tips on speed boards id appreciate it. Volume? width? make? model? year? Anything would be a great.

Cheers
Stu

I'm selling my Carbon Art Speed 50. Check the buy/sell. It a great easy board to use and fast.

Its 50cm wide and 81L so it has plenty of float

What are the conditions you would be using it in?
If the wind is consistently strong you can get by with a smaller board than if it is gusty. In gusty conditions you need enough width/volume to float you through the lulls.

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STU7777 said..

Hi Guys,

Just after some tips on picking a speed board for lake Illawarra (Primbee) this winter. Don't want to spend much first up so hoping to find something second hand in the range of $400-$800, give or take. Been sailing on and off for 20years with some large breaks in that time, and not been out much in the past 12 months. I'm a little rusty at the moment but fairly capable on a good day and not scared to crack away in the gusts and go for it.

The smallest board I have is a 101 futura which gets a little out of control on the big days. As for sails I've got a 5m Koncept and 6.5m Redline which will have to do the # for now. I do have some bigger gear but not much use in a big westerly. I've also just picked up 19cm MUF delta slalom (Tuttle) which should help to get me into the flatter water closer to shore. As for me I'm 92kgs and around 180cm tall. So if anyone has any tips on speed boards id appreciate it. Volume? width? make? model? year? Anything would be a great.

Cheers
Stu

hi stu looks like your going to be sailing shallow water illawarra/primbee , your first board at your weight should be a small slalom, or anything with volume and a narrow tail, and something that wont stall in the jibes, ive seen too many guys buy a small speed board and when they jump on the fin digs in the bottom , drop off the plane with the slightest variation in wind and battle to get a jibe even in a good consistent wind
also take into consideration the board will be sitting in the shed for a good 8 to 9 months of the year so you also need something for those big n/easters in the summer months
obviously your going to need to join a local speed team, mainly so your not going to be the odd one out on those big days when everyone is supporting a gps
also a bit of advise on a team , its an obvious bet that you would join the illawarra guys, BIGGGGG MISSTAKE we all make a few mistakes in windsurfing , best bet is the act gustbusters, only a small team but a great bunch of guys

I'm your weight and height and I use as an 80l slalom board which will work with a 5m if it's not too bumpy. The board was good for 35 knots in choppy botany bay water. I don't know how many times I've taken it out for flat water speed day where the wind has never eventuated. I reckon it should be good for 40 knts. Next winds day I'll be at the lake so you're welcome to try it.

Des

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STU7777 said..

Hi Guys,

Just after some tips on picking a speed board for lake Illawarra (Primbee) this winter. Don't want to spend much first up so hoping to find something second hand in the range of $400-$800, give or take. Been sailing on and off for 20years with some large breaks in that time, and not been out much in the past 12 months. I'm a little rusty at the moment but fairly capable on a good day and not scared to crack away in the gusts and go for it.

The smallest board I have is a 101 futura which gets a little out of control on the big days. As for sails I've got a 5m Koncept and 6.5m Redline which will have to do the job for now. I do have some bigger gear but not much use in a big westerly. I've also just picked up 19cm MUF delta slalom (Tuttle) which should help to get me into the flatter water closer to shore. As for me I'm 92kgs and around 180cm tall. So if anyone has any tips on speed boards id appreciate it. Volume? width? make? model? year? Anything would be a great.

Cheers
Stu

JP49 (63L) would be the go, have seen one on Seabreeze for sale. Will take from 6.5 to 5m. I wouldn't worry about the volume to much, if its blowing for a speed board to work, then it will work.....If you end having to body drag or swim back, that's just part of speed sailing.

I think Keef's right on this, shallow water is a big issue with lack of volume, it makes it very hard to get going. If you've got a stainless steel leading edge maybe you can scrape the fin along the bottom before you get planning. Other wise you could miss out on a lot of runs because you couldn't get going. As Bender says, the Chris Lockwood designed boards have good volume for their width, and have proven themselves speed wise.

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decrepit said..

I think Keef's right on this, shallow water is a big issue with lack of volume, .

thanks for clearing that up decrepit, stu has $400 to $800 to spend and hasn't sailed a great deal in the past 12 months so hes not going too get a lockwood speed, after saying that , for the guys that red thumbed me, todays speed board is a small slalom 50 to 52w, have a look at my avatar its an old f2 50w sputnik and clocked close to 43knts, the guy that owns it hasn't ridden his CA44 since its first run and only uses it for illawarra
also take into consideration it takes a while too develop a technique to control a dedicated speed board in chop,
after saying all that, there will be a jp45 speed at illawarra this weekend (pending wind) and it just mite be for sale anyone interested let me know, its in eden so there will have to be wind

Ok thanks to everyone for the input. Yes I hear the points made by Keef and Decrepit about volume. I think that is one of the things I am worried about getting wrong. There have been plenty of times I've got carried away on a screamer and run in to close to shore, only to spend the next 5 min struggling get off the bottom and back on the plane again, although more due to having too long a fin in at the time. So I'm looking for a smaller board that's easier to handle in high winds, but not to low on volume. I was thinking around the 80lt would be a good step down from my 101? Also fin choice is huge in such shallow weedy conditions, so hopefully the delta works ok for me, still yet to test it out. So maybe something like Bender's CA 50 is in the right range? May have to send you a message Bender. Guess I'd better get a another board purchase signed off by the CFO/wife first lol.

If anyone has any further thoughts I'd be happy to hear them.

Keef, as for joining the local speed team, it is something I plan to do but a GPS isn't in the budget this year unfortunately. Just going to work on getting more time on the water this year, then joining the team is the next step.

Thanks again everyone

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STU7777 said..

Ok thanks to everyone for the input. Yes I hear the points made by Keef and Decrepit about volume. I think that is one of the things I am worried about getting wrong. There have been plenty of times I've got carried away on a screamer and run in to close to shore, only to spend the next 5 min struggling get off the bottom and back on the plane again, although more due to having too long a fin in at the time. So I'm looking for a smaller board that's easier to handle in high winds, but not to low on volume. I was thinking around the 80lt would be a good step down from my 101? Also fin choice is huge in such shallow weedy conditions, so hopefully the delta works ok for me, still yet to test it out. So maybe something like Bender's CA 50 is in the right range? May have to send you a message Bender. Guess I'd better get a another board purchase signed off by the CFO/wife first lol.

If anyone has any further thoughts I'd be happy to hear them.

Keef, as for joining the local speed team, it is something I plan to do but a GPS isn't in the budget this year unfortunately. Just going to work on getting more time on the water this year, then joining the team is the next step.

Thanks again everyone

No worries. i have found the CA50 very user friendly. It's great in chop. but as i have a vested interest, dont take my word for it. Let me know if you want me to email some pics. $500 asnd it's urs

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keef said..

thanks for clearing that up decrepit, stu has $400 to $800 to spend and hasn't sailed a great deal in the past 12 months so hes not going too get a lockwood speed, >>>>

Well I wasn't thinking of a 44cm the CA 50cm of Bender's is about 80litr I think, (that is a Lockwood design isn't it Bender?) and Yes Stu, around 80 litres feels like a good step down from 101

Righto thanks guys. Looks like approx 80 lt will be the most sensible next step for me.

Keef, I'd love to have the skills to jump on a JP 45 but apart for the lack of skills I'm way to lazy of a sailor and would need a cyclone to drag my backside up on the plan on a board that size lol.

Bender, I'd be keen to have a look at some pics actually, and interested to know what fin box it has, tuttle I'm hoping. I'll send you my email.

Hi STU,
Sounds like the guys above have put you on the right track. In my (limited) experience a small slalom board is the way to go, however note that a weed fin is required to run along the Primbee flats and most slalom boards are designed to run with reasonable lift from the fin (e.g. via an upright fin). Running a weed fin in these boards feels quite different and requires a different technique than "normal" slalom sailing. Certainly with a MU delta fin you will have to be fairly "soft" with your back foot pressure (Keef's fins are probably a bit more forgiving....)

When I first sailed a 49cm speed board at Primbee I was surprised how "easy" it was! With a reasonable sail the board was pretty easy to get going, and not in mega winds. That said, I think a small slalom board offers better all round ability - fast, good alphas and good NM's

Anyway, any of the guys from any of the teams that sail from Primbee will only too pleased to help you out.

Thanks Bushfire, actually you're all confirming a lot for things which I'd been thinking but its really good to hear it from a bunch of guys that have spent a lot more time then me on the water figuring it out. As for the delta, I had a feeling it is going to be a little prone spinning out and I'm pretty heavy on the back foot so Ill need to watch what I do. Growing up on the lake my default fin of choice is a big weedy so I'm familiar with the feel but I'm sick of seeing you guys blasting along close to shore and not being able to join you so I may need to retrain myself to getting shorter fins to work for me.

I'll have to make the effort to come around and lunch from Primbee point next Westerly to catch up some of you guys. I tend to lunch from the Yachty to avoid the walk through the shallows, old habits.

Hi Stu,

I sail a CA 50 at Primbee and it's a great choice - very easy to get going and stay on the plane. Last year when it was weedy, I used a 17cm MUF delta slalom and it was a great fin. It was easy to get going in the weed due to the high rake. This year, there is less weed and more chop, so I'm using a 22cm Choco weedy. I'm finding it a bit small heading across the wind, but it's great off the wind.

Hi Shear tip,

Yeah I think I'm leaning towards the CA 50, it or something similar will suit where I'm at. I know bender has one in my price range but freight costs have me holding out hoping to find one closer to home, for now at least. So if anyone knows of something along those lines drop me a message.

heres one in your own back yard, its been in the buy&sell for ages, it would be a perfect starter for illawarra, still enough width and volume for tight jibes , make an offer of $350 that's a fair price for a 2006 board , you could even have it on the water for sunday
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~bzxr7/2006-Exocet-Tb58-Slalom-Board-232-cm.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYgoJHjjzOzv6RmkOO%2fQyZoR

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keef said..

heres one in your own back yard, its been in the buy&sell for ages, it would be a perfect starter for illawarra, still enough width and volume for tight jibes , make an offer of $350 that's a fair price for a 2006 board , you could even have it on the water for sunday
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~bzxr7/2006-Exocet-Tb58-Slalom-Board-232-cm.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYgoJHjjzOzv6RmkOO%2fQyZoR

Cheers Keef, I was looking at that one last night actually, thought it may be worth a closer look. Ill suss it out. At this stage I'll be working Sunday

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keef said..

heres one in your own back yard, its been in the buy&sell for ages, it would be a perfect starter for illawarra, still enough width and volume for tight jibes , make an offer of $350 that's a fair price for a 2006 board , you could even have it on the water for sunday
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~bzxr7/2006-Exocet-Tb58-Slalom-Board-232-cm.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYgoJHjjzOzv6RmkOO%2fQyZoR

No Luck with the Exocet unfortunately Keef. Any thoughts on the 2011 MANTA NXS 80lt, anyone? There is one listed but finding it hard to find any reviews.

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STU7777 said..

No Luck with the Exocet unfortunately Keef. Any thoughts on the 2011 MANTA NXS 80lt, anyone? There is one listed but finding it hard to find any reviews.

Yeah, I'd stick to main manufactures for your 1st small board

Starboard W54.

http://www.star-board.com/2013/products2/boards/index.php?id=isonic-speed

Sails like a small user-friendly slalom board, but point it off the wind, and it'll easily get you to 45 knots in ideal conditions.

I am similar weight and height to you Stu, and I bought one of these boards last year after owning Exocet 50, Starboard W49, and Starboard W44 speed boards. The W54 is the one and only multi-trick pony, and can handle chop, lulls, and mistakes, but will also deliver once you get your **** together and work out the fine tuning of speed.

Good luck.

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Aus06 said..

Starboard W54.

http://www.star-board.com/2013/products2/boards/index.php?id=isonic-speed

Sails like a small user-friendly slalom board, but point it off the wind, and it'll easily get you to 45 knots in ideal conditions.

I am similar weight and height to you Stu, and I bought one of these boards last year after owning Exocet 50, Starboard W49, and Starboard W44 speed boards. The W54 is the one and only multi-trick pony, and can handle chop, lulls, and mistakes, but will also deliver once you get your **** together and work out the fine tuning of speed.

Good luck.

OK i'll check them out. Have they been making that model long? Anything to new is out of my budget unfortunately.

I'm with Aus06, I've got a w54 and its great through chop, better than my isonic76 gybes well and planes early. I'm 75kg and can get it going in 15kts with a 6.2, have yet to try the 7 on it. Also great on our local lake, I think it is a very versatile board.

The water at Primbee is very much like my home spot. It is shallow in the south part but a few meters deep in between the shores. Not flat at all, to go fast you need to fly over the top of the waves. A rather wider speedboard like CA SP63 with soft rails works best. Also SP53 will do very good, but cuts the chops off, and a board like Sp44 will go through the chops, not fly/hoover over the chops. Not very good if you run between the boat club and Primbee. Also you need a board that works well with weed-fins...! We sail the SP63 in 37-40 knots speed in similar conditions with weed fins, sailsize 7.0 - 9.5. (Not MUF though..)

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andersbq said..

We sail the SP63 in 37-40 knots speed in similar conditions with weed fins, sailsize 7.0 - 9.5. (Not MUF though..)

holy s... !!!! that's really big !!!

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andersbq said..

...! We sail the SP63 in 37-40 knots speed in similar conditions with weed fins, sailsize 7.0 - 9.5. (Not MUF though..)

andersbq, how long is it since you sailed primbee, in the last few years we have been sailing shallow water close to shore and over the weed beds with 55 to 47deg rake fins , so far the lake top speed is held by Leo gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor/view/832
, on a modified f2sputnik 70lt(see my avatar) other boards used are ca40,ca44,sp50,naish sp60,lorch 45,isonic ss49w, jp speeds,ect, one of the reasons for using the smaller boards is you can use a smaller fin, the fins I use are 17 & 18cm, 22cm cord 47deg carbon,there isn't as much weed this year so something like you suggested should be good except you will need a larger fin for the extra width ,
if you see some green & brown arrows get your self a ticket, bring your harness and fins I have the rest, ca44,jp50sp,naish60sp,custom speed, full quiver of n/prsr 4.6to7.2 ,and some carbon weed fins maybe a bit different than you have
'edit' andersbq out of interest the weed fin your using with your 9.5 is it carbon and if it's g10 what does it weigh, i'm guessing over 1kg

Sounds great!!!
Since I have a lot of friends in Wollongong I cannot wait to get back.
I have been there 6 times, but the conditions are so different every time.
In 2005-2006 there where no wind around X-mas/New year for 3 weeks. 2010-2011 it was so irritating much wind, and I had only GPS/wetsuit/harness/fins for my SP trip to Tom... If I only had brought a SP53 and a 7.0 life over X-mas would have been so much better...!
I have had some thoughts of storing/keeping some gear next time, both in Wollongong and Karpathos, places where I will visit a lot of times the rest of my life.

PS The size of the fin doesnt have anything to do with the sail, it is O f O that matters. Hurricane Weed 28 cm works perfect for 9,5 on a SP63, and on SP68 I use 32cm.