Started last summer with a naish haze 145 and looking now to get a smaller board. I will keep the bigger board for lighter wind but would like to now what sort of a gap size people recommend between boards. Dont mind the haze and now sfa about any other boards, looking at there size options and what is available on the buy sell there is a 08 137x40 and a 2011 132x39 for similar dollars, what would be the best option?
I have a 2011 Cardboard Freeride 141 x 42 and a 2012 Naish Money shot 135 x 42. I am 93 Kgs and would be riding the same conditions as you mainly Largs, North Haven and Parham.
I use the boards with the 10m ozone c4 and 13m slingshot fuel and am going ok from 15 to a little over 30 in our conditions.
These two boards i have found handle the local conditions really well. I havent found any benefit in having a smaller board meaning the freeride does everything the money shot does.
I didnt like the cardboards bindings so i put some Brunotti ones on which i found offered more support but this is when i was learning so i was probably blaming the bindings for my ****ness.
If you see me your more than welcome to have a shot.
As a general rule, if I reduce the width or the length of the board, what difference can I expect? I assume if it's really small, it's twitchy i.e. more for the advance users?
I think it all comes down to the individual. I think the big boards are more forgiving when you land etc. Just like everyting kiting related get on as many as you can and see which ones you like. Going from a 145 to a 132 is a fair difference.
I have 2 Lightwave boards, 148 was great for learning and perfect for lighter wind. 136 allows me to handle more power in the kite but also needs more power to get going.
Both these boards have a slight concave bottom which gives a super smooth ride in choppy water.
