I use the omen emissary 55l in almost all conditions. Before I got that one, I thought that it's crazy low volume for my 80kg. Turns out I was wrong. I now got myself a used 35l surf foil board, which I didn't try yet, but I feel that it should work from 15kts up. I developed the idea when balancing my pumpfoil board underwater, which was easier than I anticipated. I don't know if it's possible to water start a pumpfoilboard with a wing, but I figure 35l should be doable. I hope I can test it out soon.

pacoz said..
I don't know if it's possible to water start a pumpfoilboard with a wing, but I figure 35l should be doable. I hope I can test it out soon.

Water starting is easy if it's windy. 32 L board here.

I've found once you're in sinker territory as long as there's enough wind to get the board to the surface they all take off so quickly that you really can go small. Only real downside is if the wind dies off they are a slog to paddle back in. It also can initially be a bit tricky to have enough clearance for the wing tips if you're sunk down deep.

I'm not sure I fully agree you want "long/skinny" combo so much for sinkers as you're not after the efficiency/speed on the surface but more something that sits under the water and rises up to the surface nicely.

I think under a certain volume (maybe 30% of bodyweight) length and surface area probably matter more than volume.
There is a local making a 12L kitefoil board work with a wing.

it may seem strange, but I found that using a sinker board ,1/3 of your weight (kg) , may actually be easier as the board will remain under water and not bobble on the surface when water-starting

95kg in wintertime with hooded 6mm wetsuit probably over a 100kg.
I have and 56l KT wingdrifter from 22. The key with that board is was already a ML board: 5.4x22 so a bit longer.
With enough windpower its easy to start (I do only knee starts), but when the wind drops its swimming.
My newer board, an KT SuperK V2 6.3x20.something x 95l pro carbon ....floats me fine and is waaay easier to start and almost as easy, nimble and in control as the 56l.
Because of that I,m using the 56l less and less because when its stormy with big waves in a short period, I want to start as quickly as well and that is simply easier with the 95l
The bigger board also alows me to use earlier smaller foils.

pacoz said..
Ok that looks good, but also close to 30kts I figure? Do you always start this board windsurf style or you sometimes sink it?

The usual knee start works too, if the wind is light. It helps a lot if the foil is bigger. In the above clip I had a 631 cm2 front wing, and here in this one I have an older ca 900 cm2 low aspect front wing.

I did the opposite. I gave up my 48L sinker and bought a 72L ±0L 4'11 hollow board that's lighter and stiffer than my old sinker. It actually feels more responsive and agile than my EPS sinker. Life is much easier now.

I mostly ride waves and freerace/race with a wing, and this one board works great for both—also in light wind. Hollow boards now start at around $1,800, so it's actually a pretty affordable option when you don't need to own two separate boards (we have some light winds also).

I've now been riding an Airinside Superfly board for my second year and have logged about 3,000 km / 1 800 mi on it. It's a bit expensive, but there are more affordable alternatives (For half the price) listed below that may be just as good. I just haven't had the chance to test them yet. TheVirus has been making them for a couple of years now. Takoon has just launched its own.

Takoon Slide Hollow. Weight from 3.8 kg, 5’9 - 6'6, 70-100L
Price from 1,599 €
takoon.com/en-eu/products/slide-hollow

TheVirus Hollow Board , Weight from 3.6 kg , 5'1-5'11, 74-101 L
Price from 1,525 €
thevirusfoil.com/en_GB/c/Boards/39