NSW
4521 posts
As the wind picked up on Botany Bay on Saturday, I just had more and more trouble staying in control. I thought I was overpowered with my 5.2m, but the truth really is that I could not keep my board on the water. Although I have been given tips on technique (and I am sure this is part of it) I couldn't help but notice all the other guys with the same size board as me getting out of the water, and changing to a smaller board.
Since most of those guys weigh a lot more than me (I'm 64kg), does that mean I don't stand much of a chance with my current board (Tabou Rocket, 105 litres, 61cm wide, 245cm long) in these conditions?
If so, considering my light 64kg weight, what type and size board should I be looking at for those 25+ days on choppy water?
Thanks,
Harrow.
QLD
6491 posts
happens to most folk when the winds are strong enough, particularly lighter guys like us. Some boards tend to be more prone to flying out of the water than others. A bigger fin than necessary can cause it to happen prematurely too. 100-ish litres may still be usable at 25-30 knots with a smaller fin and sail to suit. Putting a wave fin in an otherwise uncontrollable large board can cure some problems in very high winds
You'll find as time goes on you will learn to recognise the start of it, and back off a little on the sail and put more weight on the mast foot and front foot. tiz all just practice like everything else
QLD
3419 posts
Harrow in 25+ conditions you prob should be on a 70-80 litre board.
I would be on a 90 litre in those conditions and im 85kg.
A smaller fin well help in your current board but at the end of the day you well have a lot more fun on a smaller board.
Ive just ordered a exocet warp speed (68 litre) high wind slalom/speed board perfect if you like going fast.
see http://www.exocet-original.com/products/warpspeed.asp
ta vando
WA
65 posts
Hi Harrow, the tabou can be a bit bouncy, especially with your weight. Apart from technique (try riding the board off the fin more) a smaller swept fin will help. I have a Power Box wave fin with a broad base so it carries up to a 6m sail, this works well to settle a board down. You are welcome to give it a try as I don't use it any more. I'm a regular at Botany so come and say hello. I use a Fanatic Falcon 111 with a red NP 7.5 V8 and a JP SuperX 86 with red Sabre 6.2. Drive a white commodore wagon stuffed full of gear.
See you on the water.
Des
NSW
3105 posts
Hey Harrow. Good advice from the boys. I sail at Botany too and I can use my Thommen X115 with a 6.2 wave sail and 31cm wave/freeride fin in those conditions. then again Im 90 kgs. Change down to a smaller fin I go down from a 37 to the 31 and it makes a hellof a difference and maybe move your mast track forward a touch to help keep the nose down in the chop.
But like Des I also have a new Falcon 111 that handles chop well.
maybe you should look at getting something around the 90 ltr mark especially if you sail Botany a lot, better in a southerly too. Being 64 kgs you wont have trouble schlogging home if the wind does drop off.
NSW
575 posts
get on the smallest board you can...64kg is tiny, im 70 and can ride a 69l in 15knots if i have to. im not sure with the mast track going forwards, when it gets windy and uncontrollable i move it backwards, better jumping and lots morre control
NSW
74 posts
also try lowering your boom it seems to help quite a bit
NSW
74 posts
also try lowering your boom it seems to help quite a bit
NSW
4521 posts
I'm looking at a 2nd hand 86 litre F2 wave. It's 257 long and 54cm wide (my Tabou is 61cm wide). Would this be a good for me to have as a high wind/chop board due to it's reduced width?
Or what about a JP 78 litre Freestyle Wave ? (There's a good as new one for sale on this web-site that I could get.)
Thanks,
Harrow.
WA
54 posts
Mate if u can waterstart and comfortably use the the harness and footstraps the I would get a board of MAXIMUM 70L at your weight. I'm 80kg and use a 74L board in winds above 17knots. At first the samller board will seem strange but you will quickly get used to it and your sailing will be more enjoyable. Personaly for u I would would suggest a board in the 65-70Litre range... with a 5.5 u should be able to get planning from 17-18knots and lower as u get better. There is nothing worse than sailing a big board in strong winds. Your Rocket u could use in 10-17knots and the smaller board from then on. If u are going to keep the Tabou and buy a second board PLEASE don't buy a board much bigger than 70L..you will create a big overlap otherwise...and get a wave board....A little bit slower but real easy to turn and forgiving in the chop... That's unless you only want all out speed in which case the wave board is second best. End of Lecture.
NSW
1871 posts
Unless you want to go full on wavesailing go for the JP FSW. It's a great board for a Botany NE wind, good free ride capability, and loose enough and perfect for a Botany Southerly. U can also take it wavesailing proper in smaller stuff.
Des
NSW
1871 posts
Around 2 metres, but of course depends on your skill. At my wave skill level I wouldn't go out in anything bigger. I have only used the bigger JP FSW's so te 78 may be more wave biased and looser. I did use an older 78l FSW in Maui and found this to be a great B&J board.
Des
