Hi, I've been sailing a 130 litre board for last two years and enjoying being in the straps for a while.but the ride is really bumpy at times. I can waterstart after a battle but like the uphaul. Because the sail positioning and holding sometimes is more draining than uphaul.would a100 litre board be easier to waterstart and manoeuvre into start position. ?or will that take me back a stage at this point?.or would. I benefit from smoother rides and quicker starts? I'm about. a75 kilo every secondly weekend warrior. All suggestions appreciated.

Smaller board will be even more difficult to water start, but usually that is the only way.
Get more practice in water start, specifically if there is enough wind.
You will find the even when standing already on the board , jumping into water to start is much easier then uphouling.
With your big board you still could use the volume buoyncy to help clear sail above the water.
With smaller board is not so easy, specifically when you could not support your boom at the end of the board.

I would go for the 100 litre. You should still be able to uphaul up to about a 7.8 sail if you need to and can still put the mast over the rear windward foot strap to help get the wind under it to assist your water starts. You will find it a lot better in chop and a lot more manoeuvrable which should make things easier and more enjoyable for you when the wind gets up a bit.

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togalog said..

Hi, I've been sailing a 130 litre board for last two years and enjoying being in the straps for a while.but the ride is really bumpy at times. I can waterstart after a battle but like the uphaul. Because the sail positioning and holding sometimes is more draining than uphaul.would a100 litre board be easier to waterstart and manoeuvre into start position. ?or will that take me back a stage at this point?.or would. I benefit from smoother rides and quicker starts? I'm about. a75 kilo every secondly weekend warrior. All suggestions appreciated.

Hey Togalog
You should really see if you can try a board out that's that size first, changing gear can sometimes set you back a bit but 100 litres should allow you to uphaul at 75kg. As the board is smaller it will probably be somewhat narrower and therefore feel a bit woobly if you do up-haul. Smaller boards are defiantly easier to gets into a waterstart position can require more wind to get planning compared with the bigger ones. I'd say that you should see if someone will lend you one to try out first. 110-115 is also a very popular size in freeride boards. Simon at Board crazy might let you demo something or have some more suggestions. You should pop in and ask his advise too

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tilldark said..
Smaller boards are defiantly easier to gets into a waterstart position

Smaller board could be easier to water start for Pro because there are simply smaller, lighter and with small sails.
For beginner there are not. There is luck skills to lift sail and hop balancing board . Turning around with boom resting on big boards should be actually easier.
But suggestion to try it out first is good one

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Macroscien said..

tilldark said..
Smaller boards are defiantly easier to gets into a waterstart position

Smaller board could be easier to water start for Pro because there are simply smaller, lighter and with small sails.
For beginner there are not. There is luck skills to lift sail and hop balancing board . Turning around with boom resting on big boards should be actually easier.
But suggestion to try it out first is good one

Fair enough, i didn't find it this way but to each their own. If someone 75 kg needs help water-starting a 100litre board I'm happy to help but at 100Kg I'll need a 25 knot day and to skip breakfast. Even changing the fin down on a bumpy day can help, Simon sold me a smaller fin for my Kode 112 that made that board much more manageable. Lots to consider recon a chat to Simon at Board Crazy will help (Gabba), or if you live down the GoldCoast try Michael at Surf-FX.

I agree with the fin change as this worked for me. The fin supplied with my board was way to big once the wind got up. Waterstarts also become easier with practice. On the bigger board there are a few things you can do when the wind is a little light to drag you up. In the choppy conditions the bigger boards have a mind of their own sometimes as you try to line everything up. Again, nothing beats practice to make these easier.

just get the small board , there is surprisingly little difference in how hard they are to sail and just stop up hauling . Water starting takes less effort anyway once your good and the small board will force you to improve and it will be faster and more comfortable so really its all winning

I agree with Simon, get the smaller board.

I find it easier to water start a smaller board.

Also at 75kgs you should be able to uphaul a 100l board.

I use a 102, I can up haul a 6.5 without too much trouble, although its easier to water start with it. Get the 100ltr, it won't be too long before you think it's too big, I look at my fsw and think its massive.

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togalog said..

Hi, I've been sailing a 130 litre board for last two years and enjoying being in the straps for a while.but the ride is really bumpy at times. I can waterstart after a battle but like the uphaul. Because the sail positioning and holding sometimes is more draining than uphaul.would a100 litre board be easier to waterstart and manoeuvre into start position. ?or will that take me back a stage at this point?.or would. I benefit from smoother rides and quicker starts? I'm about. a75 kilo every secondly weekend warrior. All suggestions appreciated.

I'm with you sometimes on 130 litre board if the rig is in total wrong position it is quicker to up haul (maybe more energy required though) . As far as being easier to water start, the drop of buoyancy is going to make it harder .When boards are below say 2.7 in length the change in manoeuvrability to position for water start is very little. When you say board is getting "bouncy with what sail fin combo is this happening with ?. Don't be in to bigger rush to move down in boards. You need to ask your self some question like .... Are you planning through gybes most of the time ?, Does the board get airborne of chop at speed because there is to much volume ? I see to many people in rush to change down in board size as if it is some sign that they are to good for bigger boards. I'm not saying that you shouldn't move down but its horses for courses . 130 litre boards are ideal from wind say 12 to 20 knots and then as you skill level increases move to 100 litre board, when you have the skill level to extract the extra manoeuvrability, jumping etc. they can offer is awesome

Keep the 130L but get a 105L too for higher winds. Keep waterstarting. Once you get good at it you'll hate uphauling.

Ease of Uphauling a board is not just a factor of volume. Width makes a huge difference to how hard it is. I have a 109 L board at 62cmwide, and it makes uphauling even a 5.8M sail almost impossible in chop. I have another board at 110 L width 74.5cm and can uphaul a 3 cam 7.8 with a bit of effort. Only 1 L difference..
I also agree with Simon that moving down in size too quickly is not the solution for everyone. As an untalented Intermediate sailor I moved down from a 141 L width 80cm board to a 106L 61cm board, and whilst it was faster and had much better control above 18knots in chop i could not Gybe it. Had to learn to water start (not a bad thing). Interestingly I find uphauling much less draining than water starting.
Keep the 130L for low wind.

HI all, thanks for all the replies, advice and email 0ffers of a trial run, I guess a test will be the best solution. Im usually on my 6m solo sail or 5m 4wd when its starts getting bumpy BC. I had a magic lowtide sail today at golden beach on my 7m f12. smooth as and smiles a plenty. but so many variables in this sport. sometimes bumpy going out, but magic coming in running with the chop line. I can honestly say waterstarting or uphauling at somewhere like 25 knot queens seems pretty hairy to me with a metre of rolling swell on a 100 litre board. But then I can remember 20 knot shearwater being intimidating. Allways something more to strive for. My fin is 46 cm so should I go shorter maybe? Cheers"