Righto, I need some opinions about where to go from here.

I was out on my 134L X-Cite ride on saturday and sunday at sems bouncing around in the chop and when I came in, 3 guys asked me how I went on such a big board.

I was then advised that I should be looking at a smaller board to handle the choppy conditions rather than bouncing the big X-cite ride around all day.

As an intermediate, I have been apprehensive to go smaller with the thought that smaller boards are harder. I can water start fine and am planing in the foot straps now so it may be time to look for a second hand wave board to get me started on smaller gear so I don't wreck my 134 trying to handle chop and ride waves.

I am about 90kg so was thinking around 100L and price range around $200-300

Does anyone have any reccomendations for a good board to look for or any that are going at the moment? ( I have been through the buy and sell and found things like the Tabou Rocket and RRD Hardcore wave but don't know anything about Tabou/RRD or what size volume I should be looking for)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated or Im just happy to listen to others opinions on the subject.

Thanks,

Luke!

Hi Luke,

It sounds like you are more advanced and sailing more often than i was when i moved down. I went from a 144 Starboard Go to a 93L Starboard Kombat without too many worries, I almost wish i had gone a little bit smaller/wavier for sailing at Semaphore, 85L or something like that. Narrower i think is the key to comfort!

Hi Chris,

Yeah, thats what Im wondering.

What is too big, what is too small?

I am about 90kg so figure somewhere in the range of 90-100L

I will use the 134 for lighter winds but looking for a second handy that has a few dings etc. that I wont feel bad about wrecking trying to carve on a wave!

Hope all is going well in... perth?

Cheers,

Luke.

I am 90 (+) too, i still reckon go a little smaller, Semaphore is nearly always choppy as you well know! Depends how your gybing is too i suppose.

Perth is great, except i am working in Shark Bay at the moment. It's a windsurfers paradise, which is also great, except i dont have my frigging gear with me, flying in and out in a 6 seater, not much room and weight restrictions etc. Back to Perth tomorrow though, weather looking good all week!

Good luck with the board. If you are in Perth, let me know. Cheers.

I'd check this out - would be a good allrounder

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~b5mlm/2009-Starboard-Kode-237-cm-94-litres.aspx?search=MsVd7Fn%2f%2fIoO0Kkc8VLKNU8KzOx5HRiq

Hopefully we can get some expression sessions organised in the waves this winter and your can bring you new toy down to experience some southern wave and wind hospitality.

Hi Chris - i wondered where you'd been

Thanks Russh, I think thats the sort of board I am after... maybe a little bit more beat up so it can be a bit cheaper.... Unfortunately I don't have alot of funds to play with and am worried that if I spend to much, I will just damage it and write it off.

Thanks Chris, I think if I aim for about the 90-95 Litres, that should be fine for my experience, weight and ability. I'd like to get to perth but will probably be next year some time.

In the mean time, will look for a good cheapie so that when I figure it all out, I can go for a more expensive and modern board.

Hey Luke, you could always sell your Kite gear and divert your financial resources to a much better sport.....

Ha ha ha.... Yes... I had thought of that...

I like both unfortunately.

And just as much as we all have different kit for different conditions, the kite stuff and windsurfing stuff both have their pro's and Con's

They do overlap a little so I have to choose what I do every now and then but generally, in light to moderate winds I windsurf and in moderate to strong winds I kite.

I love the difficulty, technical aspects and challenge of windsurfing but really enjoy the free-riding feeling and easy wake style riding of kitesurfing.

Best of both worlds and I don't feel the need to be the best out on the water by specialising in one sport so it doesnt worry me. Just trying to have some fun without hurting myself or anyone!

I look for everything second hand to keep the costs down so you won't see me out on the latest JP board or Cabrinha Kite.

I do enjoy it though when kiters and windsurfers bicker to each other about which is better as I can just sit on the fence and watch.

BTW Bondy, with your moves on the playground monkey bars, you would do well in freestyle kite surfing! You Should come and try!

jamdfingr


it depends on at what wind range you are finding the 133 lt to be a hand full

anything over 20 to 22 knots with your weight you should be fine in getting an 85 to 90 ltr going comfotably

grandfromage said Narrower is the key, thats only part of it
its more the v running through the board and the rocker line that makes for comfort

I run a 90 ltr Evo which is 62.5 cm wide and the ride on that is so much softer than the 101 JP I use to have which was 61.5 wide
the main difference is the rocker line and added V in the Evo

more v equals softer ride

Thanks Dazzling,

Thats why I put the question to the Windsufing community cause there are people out there who have been through the selection process and can provide valuable experience about what to look for, what works and what doesnt.

I will keep it in mind about the rocker and the v.

Thanks,

Luke.

Hey Luke. When you straighten those arms, and start leaving me for dead like I'm standing still, we'll have to nick name you "Luke Tailwalker"

i have a AHD 86L, 8'4"Mauii style that might be in your price range
im easy 95kg and it goes in 18-22k super quick being a double sandwich, monocoque carbon, single fin board
will even give away a 78L, 255cm JP if your interested
cleaning out the shed

Thanks Pillchard, I think the 86L would be a bit on the small size for my ability and the 78 would be way to small for me to use comfortably.

I know that other guys can get away with using the smaller boards in my weight range but being on the beginner side of intermediate, I do need something with a bit more volume.

Thanks for the offer though!

Thanks to everyone for putting in their opinions and reccomendations about what type of board I should be leaning towards. It really is a big help for the less experienced such as myself.

Also, thank you to those who have offered different boards for sometimes as little as a carton of beer. It really is appreciated even though I have unfortunately had to turn many down.

I think I have a pretty good handle now on what I am looking for and a couple of offers that I am seriously considering for the weekend.

Will see you all out on the water! (hoipefully this weekend if the predictions come true!)

I will be the one bobbing around swearing cause I can't get the damn thing to water start!

This weekend is looking awesome.....well it is anyway at Cactus beach where i am going to be. 20-25knots SE on Saturday...woohoo.