Hi I am Asher and I'm 15 years old. I recently got into windsurfing from sailing and surfing and this combines both! I am loving it so far but I need a little help choosing a new board; it will be my second. I would like to get a freerace board I think. I weigh only 63 kilos. I sail in a place that has a consistant seabreeze of usually 12 knots, but far more on days without any cloud cover (15-22kts) however it is sometimes just 10kts. I currently sail an rsx with the 8.5 sail but it is poorly designed so it doesn't plane until about 14 kts even with its extreme width and its kinda a boring board. I have sailed smaller boards such as the starboard futura 144 with a 7.5 sail and I really enjoyed that. I'm looking for a board that I can use my 8.5 in the 10kts to 12kts stuff and put a sail in the 7m range for the windier days. I can waterstart, pump, carve tack, jibe(but not that well), and comfortably in the straps and harness so I don't need a beginner board.
Any advice is helpful thanks!
Hay Asher looks like your going well good going! just keep in mind tho any board and sail setup ( within reason) can be great once we develop the skills and ability to harness its potential? Have you thought about putting the time in to get that RSX and 8.5 really rocking? sometimes the challenge is worth it bro 
Yup I actually try to just go out on the windy days with it but I can't quite get it to go faster than 28kts. Also I dinged it up in the waves a week ago 
so I think ill try to preserve it a little by only racing it
Select to expand quoteAsher147 said..
Hey joe,
How small in board size do you think i can go to plane in 12 knots
I am about your size and I use a 111 with a 7.5 in 12 knots. You could go smaller - I have a friend your size who does very well on a 97L with a 7.5 in those conditions. I would not go smaller than97L. I would not go bigger than 111 if you sometimes need to handle 15 - 22. As you are wanting to use an 8.6 I would probably go for the 111.
A futura would be great for you.
Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said..Asher147 said..
Hey joe,
How small in board size do you think i can go to plane in 12 knots
I am about your size and I use a 111 with a 7.5 in 12 knots. You could go smaller - I have a friend your size who does very well on a 97L with a 7.5 in those conditions. I would not go smaller than97L. I would not go bigger than 111 if you sometimes need to handle 15 - 22. As you are wanting to use an 8.6 I would probably go for the 111.
A futura would be great for you.
Thank you very much!
You guys fell for this BS post!
Go back and read all the statements then think about it.... Paid troll looking to push an agenda
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said..
You guys fell for this BS post!
Go back and read all the statements then think about it.... Paid troll looking to push an agenda
I must admit there have been a few posts like this that my first thought was kiter taking the piss but I don't get that vibe at all from this one.Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said..Asher147 said..
Hey joe,
How small in board size do you think i can go to plane in 12 knots
I am about your size and I use a 111 with a 7.5 in 12 knots. You could go smaller - I have a friend your size who does very well on a 97L with a 7.5 in those conditions. I would not go smaller than97L. I would not go bigger than 111 if you sometimes need to handle 15 - 22. As you are wanting to use an 8.6 I would probably go for the 111.
A futura would be great for you.
Spot on advice there. Your 7 metre will fit nicely on either of those boards but if you want to use smaller sails in the future then maybe a futura 101 of about 2012 vintage might be the go.
Hi Asher! Make your next purchase a board that you will progress on! I made the wrong decision when I was in your position a few years back. Go for a lower volume board, your light which really helps. I'm 70 kg and have a 104 ltr freerace board And can handle a 7.5 sail. I now have a 95 ltr slalom board and just choose windy days 16 knots and above. You will regret buying a safe board. Go for it and enjoy pushing yourself. I would go for a 100ltr starboard Futura. Your 63 kilos!!
I'm 65kg and use a 7.0 on a 90l board, in 8 to 15kts. You already have big boards for the very light days. I wouldn't contemplate using anything bigger than the 7.0, but then most of our wind is closer to 20kts
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
I'm 65kg and use a 7.0 on a 90l board, in 8 to 15kts. You already have big boards for the very light days. I wouldn't contemplate using anything bigger than the 7.0, but then most of our wind is closer to 20kts
I need more wind than that to get planing on my 90L board. More like 16 - 18kn. Decrepit is a much better sailor than me, but his board may be a bit different too. Mine likes to be really powered up. It is not an early planing board. Depends on tail width I guess, but that starts getting complicated.
Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said..decrepit said..
I'm 65kg and use a 7.0 on a 90l board, in 8 to 15kts. You already have big boards for the very light days. I wouldn't contemplate using anything bigger than the 7.0, but then most of our wind is closer to 20kts
I need more wind than that to get planing on my 90L board. More like 16 - 18kn. Decrepit is a much better sailor than me, but his board may be a bit different too. Mine likes to be really powered up. It is not an early planing board. Depends on tail width I guess, but that starts getting complicated.
Anita you missed out "and he's a silly old fart". Yes come to think of it, 8kts is a bit optimistic, I can possibly stay on the plane if the wind drops that low, but getting on the plane would be close to impossible.
Early planing is about width, not volume. Specifically, if I remember correctly, the width:length ratio.
So two boards both the same length. Board A is 140 litres and 70cm wide. Board B is 110 litres and 75cm wide. Board B will plane earlier.
That said larger volume boards usually are wider.
Also, a whopping big fin makes all the difference.
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said..
Early planing is about width, not volume. Specifically, if I remember correctly, the width:length ratio.
So two boards both the same length. Board A is 140 litres and 70cm wide. Board B is 110 litres and 75cm wide. Board B will plane earlier.
That said larger volume boards usually are wider.
Also, a whopping big fin makes all the difference.
Very true. My 111 is a 2009 iSonic - 68.5 wide and in light winds a 40 cm fin really helps it get going. I had a Futura in the same size. The iSonic planes a bit earlier but for someone of your experience the Futura would be better (much easier to get in the straps).
I found a really good deal on a 2012 mistral slalom 110 in mint condition but I am wondering if it would be too much board for me to handle or if it would be a good board to progress on. I can get into footstraps that are very far apart and close to the edge because thats how they are on the rsx.
That 110L mistral board may not be enough board for you, especially if you want to carry your 8.5 sail. 110L board is way too small to handle an 8.5 sail. Check the specs to be sure though. I wouldn't carry any more than a 7.0 maximum on a 110L board. I think a 120-130L board would be perfect for you.
But if you're serious about planning in 10-12 knot winds, I would lean towards 140L or so. That should get you out planning, and you could get away with using a board like that up to about 15 knots of wind. That would be a great light wind to midwind board for you, based on your weather conditions you will be sailing in.
Evil Panda,
That description you used about board A and B I'm not sure I agree. A 140L board, 70cm wide will for sure plane before a 110L, 75cm wide board. Who are we kidding here! Now if you compared a 110L, 90cm wide board to your 140L, 75cm wide board, your scenario would add up much more and more likely proven to be true.
For example: I can plane earlier with my Naish Starship at 115L, 65cm wide than my Jp Magic Ride at 111L, 72cm wide. Both boards are very similar in length. In this case, more volume beat width. There Is another scenario here and that's volume displacement. Some boards have more volume in other areas than others, helping to get the rider on a plane faster. That maybe the case between the two boards that I discribed. My 2 boards are much closer in volume, and a closer comparison between the two.
don't go for 8.6 sail ...way too big and kills the fun(plus extra fat booms etc)...also don't go by the manufacturer sail range for the board...biggest size for the board will only work on overpowered conditions or downwind slalom type of course...
So the board says it can take a 8 meter but in the test they did on it they said it can carry a bigger sail than quoted. It also said it was a light wind slalom and I think width is 67 but I can't remember exactly what it is. Will the board be enelugh to plane in 12 with a large sail and also be able to handle over 20 with a smaller sail? Keep in mind I am 63 kilos
Select to expand quoteAsher147 said..
I found a really good deal on a 2012 mistral slalom 110 in mint condition but I am wondering if it would be too much board for me to handle or if it would be a good board to progress on. I can get into footstraps that are very far apart and close to the edge because thats how they are on the rsx.
The 112 Mistral is very similar to my 111 iSonic in most regards so I think that will do the job nicely for you. The Mistrals are lovely boards. I have three.
Will the mistral with my 8.5 sail plane in 12 knots? I believe it is 67 cm wide and I and I weigh 63 kilos
Asher,
With a 38 or 40cm fin, yes the 110 Mistral will probably plane at 12 knots, while using your 8.5 sail. The board will probably top out at around 23-35 knots of wind. I use my 115L board in 25 knots with a 27 wave fin and it feels pretty good. No bouncing or railing up issues. My board is 65 cm wide, so only 2 cm narrower.
P.S. larger size fins will encourage planning ability, so keep that in mind as well. But at the same time, a larger fin will cause a board to rail up if it's too windy, especially if the fin is larger than what your sail range is calling for. Big fins are only helpful when wanting to get out planning early in just barely enough wind to plane for in which your board and sail will allow itself to plane
Thank you for the advice I think I'll pick that board since it is so much cheaper than the futura and I do get winds way into the 20's a few times a month especially in winter
Select to expand quoteAsher147 said..
Thank you for the advice I think I'll pick that board since it is so much cheaper than the futura and I do get winds way into the 20's a few times a month especially in winter
You will love it. Where do you sail?
if you rig for the lull then you have to ideally change the fin when its 20kts....nothing can handle all conditions equally well...so make a decision based on at what end of the wind spectrum you want the rig/board to hit the sweet spot , this depends on your place/skill/how many boards and fins u have, and also if u get bored when not on the edge all time. I have two boards (85l and 107l slalom) that cover 13kts - 30kts (70kg) and either end of the spectrum its a compromise. but I hate carrying more gear and like to get a good workout so no probs.
With fins...don't go buy now...(except 1)...see how you go with the setup and test using ones from friends...don't forget the learning curve...what u find difficult today will be easier tomorrow
Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said...Asher147 said..
Thank you for the advice I think I'll pick that board since it is so much cheaper than the futura and I do get winds way into the 20's a few times a month especially in winter
You will love it. Where do you sail?
I sail in Galveston Texas
Sonny, is there a specific brand or type of fin I should look for because the board does not come with one?
Im around 65kgs and use a 7.8m cammed sail on a 90ltre slalom board in flat shallow water. I like it because it is a lighter board so gets going earlier than my bigger 115ltre freemove..Where I sail its safe and I don't have to worry about uphauling or waterstarting as I can beachstart.
I can probably get going in 10kts so long as its not too puffy..Its harder work with the smaller board/ bigger sail but more fun.I'm an older female so it would be easier for you with you're youth and strength.I wouldn't use a an 8.6m on it though - probably 105 ltre would work better .
I use a 7m with the 90ltre in 12-18kts gusty conditions - I'll need practise to uphaul it in the chop ( I've been too lazy to practise).
18-22kts in chop I'd be on a 79ltre with a 6m sail ( 6.4m in flatwater for GPS) .
For really light conditions I have a 115/ 75 wide freemove board- its a stable platform for the 7.8m sail and I know I can up haul easily. Its got more drag than my slalom boards and slower but good fun. It's my 8-15kts laid back fun board for chop. It won't break any records ( 29.05kts in flat water ) but comfortable and fun.
Select to expand quoteAsher147 said..
Sonny, is there a specific brand or type of fin I should look for because the board does not come with one?
Any tuttle box slalom or freeride fin will work, but Chris Lockwood who designed the MIstral slalom board also designs Tribal fins and they go very nicely together.
