Minimum board size for uphauling

I love this topic. I am 82 kg and could up haul my 110L Naish Titan no problem. When I was a intermediate, I could up haul my 135L board just fine. I just got a 2016 Naish Starship 115L board and of course no problem there either. But I am an advanced sailor. 160L should be fine for a beginner. How much of a beginner is he? In other words, how many sessions has he had under his belt?

When I was looking to downsize on boards, I was always curious what the smallest board I could up haul would be as far as the lowest amount of liters is concerned. I had my eye on a board that was 5 hours away. The shop was able to have someone up haul the board for me that weighed my weight and he up hauled the 110L just fine. So I purchased the board. There is a formula to this that I'm sure some other members here would know.

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Harrow said..
If he is capable of sailing in 20 to 25 knots of wind, then he is doing well!

If he is a reasonably coordinated sporty guy, he should be able to uphaul on weight + 40. Something like a Tabou Rocket 125 would be just the ticket I'd say.

Agree .i ocean sail alot and have a windless area to sail out of.
@95 kg the 125 litre rocket is the go without going to big a board .
if you are lighter a 115 would be ok .but boarder line for my weight .105 is doable ,but very sinky.
you just have to remember put one foot on each side of the mast foot and keep your feet in the middle of the board .

if you are aiming at the 140 and above you should have NO problem at all.

At 80 kg easy .peazy.

I think the next step is to find out how his body mechanics are? Is he fit? Is he coordinated? How is his balance? If the answers to these questions are yes, pick the lower volume board to support uphauling. If he is lacking anyone or more in these areas, then go higher on the volume/liters.

Dear Blorkfish,
A beginner can not surf with these sail sizes and wind ranges. (5.4-6 sqm)- (20-25 knots). It is impossible. If he wants to learn windsurfing with these sail sizes it is going to be torment for him. In my opinion 160-200 lt board and 4 sqm sail is best for a beginner. Good luck..

Personally I would find it difficult to uphaul in 20-25 knots wind, would be much easier to waterstart. If you have wind like that learning to waterstart should be easy. I had to learn with an 8M sail...

Depends on experience.

Rule of thumb is your body weight plus 10 kgs = board volume that will just float while you stand on it. It's a bit more buoyant in salt water. To comfortably uphaul a 5.4 with 80kgs I would say you need at least 120 to 130 litres. The more experienced you are and the smaller the sail the less float you actually need.

I can easily uphaul my wave sails on a board that just floats me.

I'm 120 kg and I can uphaul a 136 litre with a big sail and it's wobbly at best and I kinda got the balance thing happening.
The question was about a beginner that just got into it and loving it.
As far as I can tell from the original question was that he will be sailing in 20 to 25 knots , not a master of it.
20 to 25 is a lot of wind.
I think we all forget about how hard this sport is.
Its rare to even do a perfect jibe in our own minds.
Soooooo ......I think a big floaty 140 litre in question , or even bigger would be great , with a smaller sail in those winds.
Ive got mates into it with 160 to 180 litre boards and in solid wind , over 20 kts , they would have been in all sorts of trouble on anything less.
Its a survival thing and he only wants to go out , turn around and come back without the walk of shame.
With a little bit of AWESOME FANGING FUN.

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Magnus8 said..
I can uphaul with no uphaul rope

In a swimming pool that may be ok,
but in rolling waves in 25 ktst's it's easier with a rope , that's why they are there
gotta love those inventors

I am 80kg and uphaul a 105litre board that is 62 wide. This is the limit for a good sailor in my opinion. I would go 120litres max for 20 knots