Hi, I normally just read these forums for tips from some of the awesome guys I see out sailing, but today I need to ask a question.
I've been sailing for a few years now (8) but on a big fun board, probably 250 litres. I go out in all the big winds, harness, straps, I have a 6.5 2-cam and 5.6 wave sail so I mostly use the wave sail when it's big. I like to go long and fast (no pun intended), like from Beaumaris (where I live) to Chelsea and even Bonbeach a few times. But the problem is I don't like to waterstart. I have a huge fear of sharks and even doing this sport feels extreme to me, which I love by the way!
So the question is I can get a 130 X-cite by JP, people say you can uphaul on it, but realistically on a 20+ day on the bay, is it still possible? I could waterstart if I had to as I've practised, but I'd rather not as I can still uphaul. I'm happy with flying for 15-20 mins, turning around with a tack or even a fast tack if I'm feeling lucky, then going back and doing it all over again.
Will this board do it for me and give me a better experience overall, particularly with the cammed sail? I weigh 75kg and my rig is the premium aluminium stuff (boom, mast base) with 60% carbon mast.
Thanks in advance,
Perry.
I'm 80kg's and i can up haul my 105lt Quattro no problem in that wind, having said that its a 6.5m no cam sail. Like anything its just get on with it get it done.
I have when the wind died up hauled a Naish wave quest but i was a little lighter at 65kg's and 10 years younger......
You sail a lot differently that most. I had that style when I was a beginner; sailing in 1-40 knots on a 150L board and a 5.2 sail. Most people laughed at that, but when that's all you have and the body is up to it, you do it (maybe only a few runs at 40 knots !). Anyway, I reckon you'll have to ask people that sail like you do. I doubt most people on here could honestly recommend you a board, since they are not in your shoes (booties) so to speak. I'm approximately your weight, and my biggest board is 109L which I use for slugging around on. My "bread n butter" board is 85L and 25+knots is a 69L board.
I hold on to my 121 starboard when is 5.8 weather as its just happy and i'm lazy. I tried the JP X-cites years ago (see pic) and had a super sport which i loved but had issues with the newer version so tried the Starboard. Try a few boards like the Tabou Rocket which i found easy to sail but a little dull, i'd go for larger Futura all day long as its just so good.
I've got a JP Xcite 110 litre 2009 model and I love it. Good for cruising or pushing to its limits. Use sails from 5.3 to 7M. I am 70 kgs and uphaul if required without problems. I can also uphaul my 90 L slalom if needed at a pinch. But you really need to look at learning to waterstart......... But you've probably been told that already.
So with a 130 litre Xcite, you'll have no problems at 75 kgs.
Go for it!
Cheers and enjoy.
In answer to your question - you'll uphaul dead easy on a 130ltr. No problem.
In answer to your "issue" - you will never be attacked by a shark in the bay. You're missing out. You should be on a 100ltr freestyle/race board for that long distance blasting. You can waterstart so fast that you'll hardly be in the water. Address your irrational fear, and really embrace the buzz. You won't believe the difference between 150 ltrs and 100 ltrs in terms of performance. Seriously, you'll wonder what you were thinking. You'll almost be hoping a shark does try it on and then smoke it as you take off at 50 kmh.
I am 75kg and can uphaul on a 91ltr.
130 litres should be fine. I weigh 75ks and have no problem with a 114l exocet with a 7m sail. At a pinch I've up-hauled a 90 l with a 6m sail but I don't enjoy it and only when I get caught with not enough wind. In 20 knot winds, it is easier to water-start than to up-haul.
In that wind you can water start in a matter of seconds, so the car trip to the beach is at least a thousand ten thousand times more dangerous than than the chance of getting eaten by a shark while water starting. So do yourself a favour and get something closer to 100 litres.
Cool, thanks for the reassurance(s). I'll go for this board, I do have a smaller, much smaller board (78 wave board) so that's the dream one day, that I can get over the fear and ride it for a long distance!
Thanks guys, see you out there.
You probably have more chance of decapitating yourself with the board fin than getting even just circled by a shark.
Man up and lay in the water and learn how to waterstart - if you break your uphaul rope you will then spend a lot longer bobbing around as bait because you cant waterstart.....
You will be glad you did. Get down to Rosebud and practice in the shallows with a small fin in.
By the way - I had a 130 litre X-Cite ride and loved it. You may find it will get a bit bouncy at your weight in a high wind bay slop though.
Cheers
EB
Select to expand quotePerryFarrell said..
Hi, I normally just read these forums for tips from some of the awesome guys I see out sailing, but today I need to ask a question.
I've been sailing for a few years now (8) but on a big fun board, probably 250 litres. I go out in all the big winds, harness, straps, I have a 6.5 2-cam and 5.6 wave sail so I mostly use the wave sail when it's big. I like to go long and fast (no pun intended), like from Beaumaris (where I live) to Chelsea and even Bonbeach a few times. But the problem is I don't like to waterstart. I have a huge fear of sharks and even doing this sport feels extreme to me, which I love by the way!
I am surprised you manage to uphaul in the bay in strong conditions. I have a 125 L board and I can barely uphaul it even in light conditions due to the chop. Windsurfing in the bay in strong conditions without waterstarting sounds almost impossible to me.
Select to expand quotePerryFarrell said..
Cool, thanks for the reassurance(s). I'll go for this board, I do have a smaller, much smaller board (78 wave board) so that's the dream one day, that I can get over the fear and ride it for a long distance!
Thanks guys, see you out there.
Mate we're all scared of sharks. I'm the quickest water starter in the whole of Western Australia :), just trying thinking of something else when you're in the water, work, sex, anything but sharks. And the chances of coming off your board right where a shark is swimming, is so slight it's not worth worrying about.
Hi Perry
Come over to FIJI and i'll master your Waterstarts in lovely clear warm water - easy! Spend a week here, lessons every day if you wish and we will get you well over that hurdle!
We also have the entire range of Excite range boards, so you can start at the 160, move your way to the 145, then 130 and 120 and in no time i'll have you screaming on a 110 Xcite ride.
PM or email me warren safarilodge com fj for more information.
Rgds
Warren
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said..
Has a windsurfer ever been munched by a shark?
I think a South Australian windsurfer went missing in the 90s, never to be seen again and the most likely reason his body was never found was because of a shark attack, or perhaps his gear washed up and there was evidence of a shark attack. I'm not sure but I remember reading about it.
I think waterstarting is one fundamental skill must be learnt when starting out. I taught myselt how to waterstart ...had no choice really and how to sail in fact. Just watched other people and asked questions on the beach. mind you i took in a bit of water but not as must as the board i was learning on. (it was a 50 year old Shane, concrete feel and very short)
anyhow stand in knee deep water and lay down hold sail out of water, place feet on board and throw the sail into the wind. after a while you should be able to start in the foot straps. Once your up and moving get straight into the harness and you'll be planining in seconds.
i've sailed in places where one does not want to be wallowing in the water for too long (Carnarvon and Gnarloo) so i guess that was a strong motivator for me.
i've never uphauld
Have fun be prepared to swallow a little water and have a beer chaser ready for end of session.
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said..
Has a windsurfer ever been munched by a shark?
Haven't you seen Windrider?
Select to expand quoteStuthepirate said..evlPanda said..
Has a windsurfer ever been munched by a shark?
Haven't you seen Windrider?
I saw two white pointers in Windrider, but I think they belonged to Nicole Kidman.
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said..
Has a windsurfer ever been munched by a shark?
If memory services correct a German guy mid 90's went missing suspected munched think off Geralton or Lancelin.
There was a tiny attack here couple of years ago, bullshark went for the board in waist deep water.
aaaargh !!! I can't believe I contributed to a shark thread !!! 
i had better get back to work now but one last article
www.theaustralian.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes
I'll bite So your theory is the shark won't bite you when you are underway but will find you when you stop sailing and fall in the water, what if.... while you are fooling around trying to uphaul in a precarious position, and a shark comes up and bites your board or knocks into it?
Actually I'm surprised sharks don't try to bite at a windsurfing board as it speeds by like a fish following a lure.
I've heard anecdotally that sharks are attracted to divers using diver propulsion vehicles for this reason.
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
There was a tiny attack here couple of years ago, bullshark went for the board in waist deep water.
aaaargh !!! I can't believe I contributed to a shark thread !!!
yeah bullsharks are notoriously aggressive
no bullsharks in port phillip bay Perry . . . .
a good jybe and water start practice you'll never need to worry about anything but keeping that beer cold and kite surfers
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..evlPanda said..
Has a windsurfer ever been munched by a shark?
I think a South Australian windsurfer went missing in the 90s, never to be seen again and the most likely reason his body was never found was because of a shark attack, or perhaps his gear washed up and there was evidence of a shark attack. I'm not sure but I remember reading about it.
They found his wetsuit ripped to bits. A German Windsurfer was killed up in Gero a few years ago and same thing, no body, just a chewed wetsuit.
Select to expand quoteBeaglebuddy said..
Actually I'm surprised sharks don't try to bite at a windsurfing board as it speeds by like a fish following a lure.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Shark-attack-at-Gnaraloo/?page=1
