What's a good sized board (cm & volume) for freeride use in the Bay for winds in the 15-25 knot range? I'm 80kg, Intermediate level (straps, planning, waterstarts, wobbly gybes, etc). Was thinking around 65cm (around 110 litre) but am concerned that's still too large. Cheers.

110l would be good for 12-18, but would definitely be too big for 25kn (25kn in choppy water, is a lot more than people think it is). At 25kn, you could get away with something as small as 85.

The real question is do you want one board for everything, or can you afford two boards...

Cheers mathew....

Little concerned the drop size will slow my progress so didin't really want to go too small too soon. I had a feeling the 110l would be a little out of it's comfort zone for anything over 20 knots in the bay.

A new board and keeping my 130 litre board for the time being. Want to keep the gear to a minimum.

I'd go to something like a 100 litres... It'll be a jump down from your 130, and it'll take a little bit of getting used to, but you'll probably grow out of a 110 very quickly. JP Freestyle Waves seem to be the weapon of choice on the bay... yep, it'll take a bit to learn to gybe it, but you'll be learning to jump as well (the idea of jumping something bigger than a 100 litre scares me).

I've got an old and slightly knackered JP FSW 98 that's a couple of seasons old (it's promised to someone else though, so you can't have it) but if you want to borrow it and give it a go let me know. I'll be down at Sandy Point next weekend, and probably St Kilda tomorrow (Monday) eve. PM if interested. Might need to scrouge a fin for it - you really don't want to be using one of mine (they're all small and completely fecked), but I'm sure Matt or someone will be down there that we can steal one from.

Cheers FlickySpinny! Wont be able to make it this afternoon but will be down at Sandy Point Sat. & Sunday.

A few have suggested 100 litres also, so it's good to get a few opinions as I really havn't done much bay sailing in anything over 18-20 knots.

I think that for the larger sizes, 30 litres is a good gap size. I have a 126 and a 98 which complement each other really well.

Cool - come find me - look for the pale yellow old-skool VW kombi panel van - you can't miss it - and I'll hook you up. See ya down there!

Will be interesting to see how I go on a 100 litre board. Cheers guys! Will keep an eye out for the van.

Hi guys,
I went from a 130 to 100L Fantatic TripleXXX. Was quite different to get used to and I still don't make any gybes (working on it) but it didn't take too long and is an amazing feel compared to the old board. This one actually carves.
And the jumping well at the moment I spend a fair bit of time in the water picking myself up from them but it'll come.

ejmack,

I agree with the previous posters. If you keep your big board go down to 100l.

Having said that I'm also 80kg and have 110l and 85l boards. I reckon this is the perfect combination for the bay given my bodyweight . Gives me the whole range from 10-15 knots to 30kn.

And for me the 110l is just big enough to uphaul without too much effort when it totally drops off, whereas on a 100l I struggle.

I`ll be a Sandypoint (shallow inlet) tomorow Blue Navara 105lt Mistral Flow it`s an older board 2000 or so but your more than welcome to jump on it and give it a go,cheers Laurie

Not much wind at Sandy Point last two days (Saturday + Sunday). Sunday morning was ok for a few hours. As a result I didn't get to demo much at all, although was on the 09 Futura111 for an hour or so Sunday while the conditions lasted.

Judging by the current wind readings conditions look good at the moment (monday 3rd)..... wish I was back there.

Thanks to those who had boards there they didn't mind me trying. Apologies for not getting to use them! Much appreciated all the same.