Just a really quick question for the brains trust.

Is it true bigger boards (Twin tips ) tend to be easier to make progress up the wind ? and assuming the answer is yes is there an optimum board V kite ratio? The reason i ask is normally I'd ride a 138 board and a 10m Evo but iv acquired a used 151 for light days! nothing flash by any means but still thought it was worth having

Rocker shape also important.

My 135 FLX went upwind far better than my 138 Cabrinha Custom, which struggled in comparison.

The FLX had hardly any rocker compared to the Custom.

thanks, guys I get what yah saying

Size is, to an extent, irrelevant. Skill is important, but not really applicable, given that you're only talking about yourself and you will be the same rider no matter what board you are on.

Design is a major factor. Rocker is slow. It pushes too much water. A flat board will go faster and go better upwind than a heavily rockered board. Heavily rockered boards are usually intended for freestyle riding with oversize C kites.

A wider board will have better upwind performance because it maximises the planing area under your feet. Wide boards are less susceptible to flexing than longer boards, which reduces rocker.

A stiff board will also go upwind better.

A long, stiff board also has more speed and upwind performance. A long, flex board will be slow.

So, flat, wide, stiff is good. But all those things require good technique to handle, so we're back to skill again.

One other thing, edging hard to go upwind only works if you are well powered up. If you are low to moderately powered then riding flatter is better. In reality, your board position is changing constantly to take advantage of everything that comes your way. You carve down the back of a wave. Edge harder in the gusts. Flatten out a little in the lulls. Do everything that gives you a boost upwind.

Rocker outline has so much to do with upwind performance...not length!

But just remember that I windsurf too...

I ride an Axis Twin Wave in all conditions 148 x 43. Even with a surf kite it points higher way better than most boards on the same tack. I think the long outline (think racing yacht) and the full length spine are the reason for this.

bigtone667 said..

KIT33R said..
I ride an Axis Twin Wave in all conditions 148 x 43. Even with a surf kite it points higher way better than most boards on the same tack. I think the long outline (think racing yacht) and the full length spine are the reason for this.

I weigh 100kg and struggle on the Axis Twin Wave unless I am really powered up. I bought the Crazfly LW Cruiser (a door) and put a deck pad on it instead of footstraps and I find it an awesome upwind. I ride the thing in 10 knots to 40 knots.

That looks like a lot of fun!
Edit: I have a Shinnster for the light stuff.

bigtone667 said...

KIT33R said..

bigtone667 said..

KIT33R said..
I ride an Axis Twin Wave in all conditions 148 x 43. Even with a surf kite it points higher way better than most boards on the same tack. I think the long outline (think racing yacht) and the full length spine are the reason for this.

I weigh 100kg and struggle on the Axis Twin Wave unless I am really powered up. I bought the Crazfly LW Cruiser (a door) and put a deck pad on it instead of footstraps and I find it an awesome upwind. I ride the thing in 10 knots to 40 knots.

That looks like a lot of fun!
Edit: I have a Shinnster for the light stuff.

I have the paipo/shinnster and now the el stubbo .... all great boards.

Let me guess.. with that amount of posts you're very biased and might have a vested interest in posting your biased opinions... and most can probably guess what kite they also need to go with it!!

I've seen TOO many posts this year on seabreeze about the shinns.. and funnily enough don't see many riding em now cause they only sell through shops now with big markups compared to when they sold to the little guy's direct who actually got their board's out there, cause let's face it. They were cheap n still are in my opinion..

Any more boring posts welcomed..like do bla bla bla pimp that ****e

"Let me guess.. with that amount of posts you're very biased and might have a vested interest in posting your biased opinions... and most can probably guess what kite they also need to go with it!! I've seen TOO many posts this year on seabreeze about the shinns.. and funnily enough don't see many riding em now cause they only sell through shops now with big markups compared to when they sold to the little guy's direct who actually got their board's out there, cause let's face it. They were cheap n still are in my opinion.. Any more boring posts welcomed..like do bla bla bla pimp that ****e"

Why so much anger Fly guy? This is a forum where people share information and experience. Maybe you've seen a lot of posts about the Shinns but it's because people are passionate about them. And I think it is important to support your local kite shop. No one is making big money as far as I'm aware. You can buy from anyone as far as I'm concerned but when you want aftersales service don't expect the guy who sells out of the back of his van to offer it. I don't work in the kiting industry, just loving kiting and after 14 years of it I know what works for me.

Sorry for being boring bla bla bla.