So... I have a much loved Mistral classic/flow 103 litre (275 v 58) which is my general purpose open water board (b&J) which is good in 18-25+ kts.

I need something smaller for windier and wilder days and was thinking about the JP FSW - about 85 litres. But I see these are almost exactly the same width as the mistral above. My question is - even though it's about 20 litres smaller, is the width of the FSW going to mean that it would cross over too much with the mistral? Would I be better off going for something smaller in width?

Does anyone have any ideas what would be a good board to add to the mistral for a 77kg sailor. I realise it's a bit difficult to get a good combination with such and old style (long and narrow board), but it's such a good performer I don't want to let it go.

Any ideas???

In my opinion, something narrower with a wavier rocker then the FSW is better for those wilder days.

At just over 70kg I use the JP 92L FSW from 14-20kts+. The flat rocker is pretty sweet for early planing in light wind, but once it gets up to 20kts, its kinda jarring through the chop and doesn't really grip through gybes that well. I use a fanatic newwave 75L for the windier days when its solid 25kts, I think the wavier shape makes it smoother through the chop, and the control makes it easier to pick out ramps for some nice jumps. But I don't get to use it that much so I might trade for the 82L version when I have some spare cash.

Anyway, I reckon something with a wavier rocker, like a pure wave board is much more fun to ride once it gets windier and wilder, more control, and when its that windy you don't need the flat rocker for early planing. If ur in SEQ, than something around 80L say a JP Wave, Fanatic Newwave, Starboard Kode, they seem to be the brands that are the most popular around here.

I borrowed this JP FSW 77 (08) from Tim on Lord Howe and thought it worked well in solid 4.5 weather. Smoother than the Fanatic FW 86 (09) that I had been riding, there is still a bit of cross over between these boards. The bigger board with a smaller sail would have been lots of fun too.

Gee thanks for all the responses.

Special thanks too, to the Queen's beach crew.

Yep, it's for sailing at Queen's. The mistral gets too big after 25kts and is a bit too fast hammering out through the waves.

I suppose if I keep my weight at below 80kg about an 80+ litre board would be alright? Probably more wave oriented than FSW? More onshore than down-the-line oriented?

Al Planet: mate that's a great photo. Is that you doing the jump?

Bondalucci said...

If you like the Classic so much and you're only 77kgs, keep your eye open for a mistral screamer or flow 83 litres. They have the same features that you would be liking in the Classic. Lots of Vee, rail lift in the forward half for smooth riding in chop and easy control. Plus they will be significantly lighter and proportionally narrower than the Classic. You would pick a good one up for between $200 and $500. (if you can find one)

I second that. Also there was a Mistral Electron, also 83 ltrs. I used to have one, and in a moment of stupidity I sold it. An absolute rocket!!and indestructable