Hi Guys, made a new purchase of a JP Fun ride 145 over christmas. I'm 191cm and 100kg and intended getting the 160ltr but was convinced that the 145ltr would be more usable in higher winds. Been out in low winds and easily uphauled the rig and had fun just cruising around but in higher winds I had trouble betting the board to plane. Last board I rode was a Bombora Trifin about 20 years ago at 115ltr and had no trouble getting it to plane. Seems logical to me that if the board has enough volume to be usable in light winds then it would be fine with more wind. Anyone got any suggestions or is it just my lack of talent !!!!!
Wind went from very little, around 5 knots at a guess from the north, then swung around to 15+ knots from the south. (last saturday) I had the Neil pride 6.1 sail on but the wind seemed to be gusting a bit with some chop at Seaford beach. I think I need to make a few adjustments to boom height and mast position. It's only the second time I've used the board and probably need to get used to all the new gear which is a lot different from what I used 20 years ago. Thanks for the reply guys.
Struth waggles, I've got an extra 30kg and less sail in 15 knots. Looks like I'm going to pushing doo doo up hill to get the thing moving. Thanks for you're input !
I'm the same weight as you and my first board was a 145lt and I had similar problems to you. I thought the board was just bogging down and would not plane, I used a 6.1 as my first sail. First thing I did was go and buy a 7.2 and found that this was way better to get me up and plainning but the problem was not the sail size but my technique. Learn to pump, bear away and pump this gets you up and going in less wind with smaller sails. the 7.2 is good for a passive sailor who just waits for the wind to pull them up on the plane. The 7.2 won't be a waste of money, It's my most used sail for 15-20 knot days but big guys like us need the extra power to plane through the lulls. One thing, you will need to get a smaller fin as when you get a 145 up and going at speed(over 20 knots) the 50cm fin that they come with will make it come alive. Its an exciting ride but your ride will be much more in control with a smaller fin.
Thanks heaps Jase. Good news, saturday morning the wind went from nothing to 20+ knots in the blink of an eye. Jumped on, gave the sail a few pumps and the thing went ballistic !!!! Straight back into the foot straps and I was basically a passenger until I ran out of talent. I'll definitely try a smaller fin because on the way back in I forgot about the sandbars at seaford, feet still in the straps the result was a swallen ankle and a very bruised ego. Great to get the thing up and planing but I'll also give a bigger sail a go for the more moderate days and just keep working on my skills. Thanks again for the advise.
Can't advise on fin size, but suggest that you make the footstraps larger (they should be adjustable by opening up the velcro)...
You want them small enough so that you can't accidentally slide your whole foot through (that can be particularly nasty), but big enough to be able to come out when you get catapulted / hit a sand bar / etc.
Once you gain the experience you can make them smaller should you wish (I like mine massive so I can get out of them in a hurry). Should save you a few sprains in the meantime though. Good luck!