Hi, there's no shops local to demo boards, so looking for a board recommendation. Main sail to use with the board will be a 7.5 Sailworks Retro. Very gusty conditions, average sessions would be 6-18 knots, Inland NSW lake, so relatively flat water. Currently got a formula board which is great, but I'm ready to mix it up with something smaller. I'd be weighing in at 80kg with harness, wetsuit etc.
Be good to get some board recommendations for something that's going to be fairly quick to pop up and plane in the gusts.
Thanks.
I am 95kg and would recommend Patrik 145 free ride or smaller to suit your weight.
question is do you like wide boards...I have a 130 litre @83 wide 7.5-8.5 ,nice if I'm off and on the plane .
if its mostly planning i use a 125 litre Tabou ,board @ 69 wide with 6.5 -7.5.the 125 is nicer if there is chop .
7.5 is not that big ...125 litre should do the job for your 80 kg maybe even a 115 tabou rocket.if you keep the formula board for light days.
For the conditions you propose I would recommend you choose and buy a Goya Bolt they have 95, 105, 115, 125 and 135 litre boards to choose from. It is a free race so it is fast end of free ride but handles chop well, it was developed in Hawaii but will be fine for the flat water you propose. I have a 115 Goya Bolt and it is "flat out fast" for me. Top quality premium carbon monocoque construction with excellent finish. Goya says this:
".....The Bolt's rocker has an almost continuous flat section from behind the mast to the tail, with the lightest release off the tail for unlimited speed and acceleration. A concave deck drives the power of the rig lower and forward on the water. Tail cutouts bring flotation to lower speeds and reduce the wetted area on straight speeding lines. The Bolt gets up and planing on the lightest breeze, and paces through gusts, allowing you to forcefully ride on the fin with direct control. The outline curves and rail shapes project you out of jibes like no other board...."
Review the review here: doggiebagwindsurfers.wordpress.com/
and here: www.windsurf.co.uk/test/goya-bolt-115l-2016-test-review/
Specs below:
Bolt 95
Volume: 95ltrs.
Length: 236.7 cm
Width: 61.9 cm
Weight: 6.2kg
Fin: MFC KP RC 36 TT
Sail Range: 5.0-7.5
Bolt 105
Volume: 105ltrs.
Length: 235.3 cm
Width: 64.1 cm
Weight: 6.3kg
Fin: MFC KP RC 38 TT
Sail Range: 5.5-8.0
Bolt 115
Volume: 115ltrs.
Length: 241.5 cm
Width: 71.8 cm
Weight: 6.8kg
Fin: MFC KP RC 42 TT
Sail Range: 6.0-8.5
Bolt 125
Volume: 125ltrs.
Length: 240.1 cm
Width: 76 cm
Fin: MFC KP RC 44 TT
Sail Range: 6.0-9.0
Bolt 135
Volume: 135ltrs.
Length: 242.8 cm
Width: 80.1 cm
Fin: MFC KP RC 46 TT
Sail Range: 7.0-10.0
Video here: Test Review: Goya Bolt 105 and Mark 6.2 Sail
free-ride board for 80 kg sailor in 12-18 knots = LOTS o' choices
forget about 6-12 knots - you can try your Formula in those winds 
Thanks for all the responses there's a few boards there that I hadn't heard of so that's great. Was planning to keep my formula board to use with sails larger than 7.5m. Getting something that handles chop OK might be the way to go for road trips to new places with better wind!
+1 for Tabou Rocket. I've done 33kts on my 115ltr in reasonable sized chop on Botany Bay. Not too bad for a freeride board. It's my second Rocket. After recently selling my slalom board I went out and got another Rocket and I'm chuffed with it. They come up second hand on SB a bit, so keep an eye out. I also believe the Hawk is a good board too, but haven't tried one.
C'mon. We haven't recommended every freeride board there is yet.
Starboard Futura 117. Comes with a 42cm fin which would be about right for a 7.5m sail.
The 90, 100 and 115L Naish Starship. Only 3 choices in volume available, but this board freekin rocks! Guts, glory and a dream to ride! All I can say is this board wants to rock n roll out on the water. Classified as a, freeride, freestyle, bump and jump wave board all in one. I've had the privilege to use mine for a whole year now, and I out right love this board. Message me for details if interested.
Of all the newer boards, the Starship is a brilliant choice.
Come to think of it I have a 100 to try first time in April, ..it's winter here
Forceten,
You are going to be very impressed with your 100L Starship. I have the 115L model and the rage of conditions it can handle is huge. It's my only board. I use it from 10 to about 28 knots. Sail range from 4.5-7.5. I have 3 fins, 3 sails and 2 masts to accommodate the wide range of conditions. Your 100 will handle between a 4.0-7.0 sail size. Very cool!
Are there not many or any Naish dealers in Australia? One of many things I like about the Starship is they didn't go nearly as wide as most newer boards. My 115L is only 65 cm wide. Most other boards with that volume are near 75-80 cm wide. I'm not a fan of wide boards, so the shape of the Starship is perfect for me. I think that's one of the reasons The range is so huge is because it's more narrow.
I'm contemplating the 115 for some bump and jump and maybe the 2018 Lancelin Ocean Classic. My elderly JP Xcite Ride 95 just couldn't get on the plane with my 90kg gut.
OP is 80 kg and asking about short board in light to mid winds
you guys are talkin' bout boards that are practically the same liters as your carcass in kilos 
