Ok so i can see there's been heaps of chat about which board size v's weight and wind etc. But i'm trying to work out which litre x-cite ride to get.

So here is my situation-

I really struggle to get the ass end of my 112l freestyle wave out of the water unless there is a good 18+ knots of consistent wind. i'm 85kg and been windsurfing for two summer seasons, only ever here in Brissy. Mostly Vic Point and a little manly.

Basically from what i can tell is if i buy the 133l x-cite ride i will have a greater lower wind range than the 122l. My sails are 5.1, 6.2 and 7.2.

Part of the problem is my inexperience as i see you other lot tending to surf small boards. Can i get some feedback as to how you guys are getting your boards to plane in low winds, and which litre x-cite ride would suit Vic Point in and around 15knots (as i'm keeping the FSW for those 20knots)

I would try putting a bigger fin in your current 112 litre board first. I just bought a bigger fin for my 106 Litre All Ride and it planes MUCH earlier than it did previously. It came with a 32 cm Freeride G10 and i bought a 36 cm Select SRX Free Slam. The difference is quite noticeable and much cheaper than buying another board and the board is also faster now when the wind is up

yeah i guess i'd never thought of doing that. By the way what is a fin worth approximately?

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agraylin said...

yeah i guess i'd never thought of doing that. By the way what is a fin worth approximately?

I put a 43cm fin on my 110l X-cite ride with a 7.4m sail and it goes well in 12-18 knots. (I was 75kg before Christmas)

What brand/model board is the FSW you have? What is the fin size you have now?


The last 42cm choco spirit fin I bought was $179 sent over from WA.

Between about $160 and $200 depending on what you buy and where. You could try and buy 2nd hand fin from someone or somewhere. I assume that most FSW boards will have a powerbox so there is fins everywhere to suit and someone may even give you a run on one to try it out.

The board is a 2010 JP FSW 112l.

Pretty committed to buying an x-cite ride though and tending to go for the 120litre, and improve my technique.

It would be nice to be able to get out in winds such as this friday with the new board. That's where i'm wandering if the 130 might be a better size?

www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/synoptic.asp?StateID=3&loc=BRIS

If your small board is 112L, you might as well go big with the 133L, especially if you are only planning to just use it as a light wind flat water option. I don't think there is really any advantage in going for the 122L.

www.guycribb.com/userfiles/documents/EarlyPlaning.pdf this guy cribb guide does a good job of setting out the proper gear setup and technique to get planing early. Something that I don't think is mentioned in the Guy Cribb pdf is batten tension, make sure you have this set correctly as it can have a big effect on sail efficiency.

Gear wise I think a big board/smaller sail combo is a lot easier to get planing then the smaller board/big sail. In particular you don't have to work as hard to get on the plane. What helps me the most is being light on my feet, so I pump hooked in and hang most of my weight through the harness. You need to run long lines to be able to do this AND keep the rig upright and powered up. Generally I use 2-3 back hand pumps and simultaneously hang as much weight on the rig via the harness to drive all the sail power down through the mast base. I give the board a bit of a jiggle with my feet to help pop it onto the plane.

I don't usually bother with the full body out of harness pumps unless I'm trying to stay planing on the exit of a gybe.

Hi agraylin, I've got a 130 litre xcite ride and I'm 85kg. Given you already have a 112 litre board (which would be good for 20+ knot days) and it sounds like you are sold on the xcite rides, I'd suggest 130 to 145 litres - depending on the sail size you want to use (or have). I enjoy using the 130 xcite ride most with a 7.5m sail and 44cm fin in around 15 knots. I know a bloke who's 70kg and get's planning on a 145 xcite with a 7.5m sail in 10-12knots with a 48cm fin. The wider board seems to get planning quicker and a proportionately bigger fin definitely helps in lighter winds!

At 85 kg you're not much bigger than me. You could think about a three board setup:
120l and 7.5m or 8m for light days (that should get you going in about 12-13 kts).
105 for medium stuff (17-18 kts +)
85-90 for big days

I base this on my setup for 75-80kg which is a 115 (68 wide) freeride, and 104 and 86 FSW. My biggest sail is a 7.5, and I use a 42 fin with the big board. I don't like to miss a day's sailing and this gets me going most sailable days on Moreton bay. My most used board is the 115 followed by the 104. The 86 hardly ever in recent seasons.

AGRAYLIN.
I had the 110 and the 130. at 86/7 kg, no issues with the boards, could get right up to an 8.2 cam sail on the 130.
I wore the 130 out. But in the end the 110 was the main board, and the 130 for low wind days and general faffing about.
I mean by worn out, the deck was well worn when I traded the board.
Good volume spread and a good rocker line so you dont bury the nose when tacking or if you are sailing up-hill in a good breeze.
Fins, I went from 27cm right up to 56cm. But in the main on the 130 I ran from 33cm to 46cm most days.
On the 110, I ran most days on the 31cm but ranged from the 27 up to the 33cm.
The JP G10 fins are the way to go (pale green) with these boards. Avoid the old black fins that the board may have come out with.
Choco's are better but the JP's not to shabby either.
I have switched to the Tabou Rockets, as the JP's (new) got out of my price range.
The Rocket is just as good, bit better in chop. lower rocker and the volume is all under your feet, and not much in the front area. The nose will duck under if too mach weight forward of the mast base. A habit gotten into using the X-Cite rides.

Thanks everyone for your responses, i'm taking all the information in as consideration to board size. I'll let you know which way I go, happy sailing, see you on the water.

Oh and Swoosh if you've got more of those Guy Cribb pdf's that would be great.

All good i found them..

Sorry for butting ito this thread:
Mineral1 says "On the 110, I ran most days on the 31cm but ranged from the 27 up to the 33cm. The JP G10 fins are the way to go (pale green) with these boards. Avoid the old black fins that the board may have come out with."

I have a 110 and also love it (also sail at VP). I am using the standard 34 JP black fin and don't seem to have any major issues. What are the benefits of using the G10 fins over the standard one? Is it speed, control, or what. Seems a lot of people spend an awful lot on fins but I am puzzled what for apart from bigger for quite days??

Interested in responses as it may be what I am looking for to improve some more.

Cheers n Beers

I have the same board and I think you'll find that it 112L is virtual volume, As far as dimensions go it should be a 112 but I know it's closer to a 105. It has a very thin tale and lots of volume up front which makes it sinky. How do I know this, I've had runs on a lot of 105/106 and there abouts and the 112 feels about the same if not less floaty. I upgraded from a 115 fanatic, which I could uphaul to a JP FSW 112 which I've got little chance of uphauling......unless I'm super quick. If it's marginal I actually prefer to take my 95 over the 112 as it seems to float no more different to the 112 as long as there's enough wind to water start. The fin that came with the 112 was thrown in the bin a long time ago......it's rubbish and I now use a 23cm Makani Mano weed wave fin that offers more lift and drive then the stock fin ever did. As for choice of board I'd go no bigger than a 120L x-cite ride, I'm 95-100(depending on beer consumption) and have no issue up hauling the 120....it's my light wind board for my 7.2 - 8.5 and is a great cruzing board in about 15-20 knots. Try and get Pro Edition, it makes a big difference....sadly when I upgraded my 09 (pro) to a 10 I went with full wood, bad decision....totally different board, lacks crispness and response......My 2 cents.

Have put a hefty deposit on 122 x-cite ride pro. Should have it for Ausy day weekend i reckon. Praying for wind.

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agraylin said...

Have put a hefty deposit on 122 x-cite ride pro. Should have it for Ausy day weekend i reckon. Praying for wind.

You will enjoy it

Good one, next time I see you at VP I'll be lining up for a go on it!!!

I think i tried one in Maui a really good alrounder from what i recall

yeah can't wait New toy!!

Well i picked up the board today, i couldn't wait any longer.
Popped down to Manly and was busting to get on the water.

Well i learnt a lot today, the 120 x-cite ride v's 112 jp freestyle wave are two completely different boards. The x-cite ride seemed really big and floaty, I tried an uphaul 'just' to see if it was a floater and no problem at all. I just can't believe the difference between the two boards, early call but maybe the 110 x-cite ride would have been enough. A few more sails will tell.. and this 120 xcite will definitely be good for those lighter wind days as it was pretty blowy at manly today.