Hi,
I need some advice on progressing with boards.
I am lower intermediate and looking to step down from my Naish Titan Freeride 130 ltr to a smaller more progressive board. I have been riding my 130 in everything, light or strong winds, choppy or flat water. As you would know, when the winds are strong and there is swell or chop then the board can be hard to manage.
Last season I didn't get out much and when I tried to get on my smaller 104 Mistral I couldn't handle the narrower profile of the board. Couldn't get it going, and fell off lots. Can up haul on the 104 but in swelly conditions it is hard work. I found the nose of the board kept pointing off the wind, the technique of getting on the plane seemed totally different to the larger board, The 130 just pops up onto the plane, the 104 didn't react the same and I never figured out the technique to get it moving.
Question is, should I get a board in between these sizes or should I just suck it up and commit to the Mistral?
I am 72kg, 5'11 tall. On the 130ltr, can water start on occasion, plane easily, in the harness and straps easily, occasionally make a Gybe but not planing out of the Gybe as yet.
Keen as to get back windsurfing as much as possible this winter.
Ideally the Naish would become my light wind board rather than my everyday board.
Options are;
1. Keep these 2 boards and persevere with the Mistral.
2. Buy a cheap 2nd hand 115 - 120 as a step down to the 104
3. Buy a new freeride board around 115 as my everyday board and have the Mistral for stronger winds. I like the look of the JP Super Ride.
Only thing to consider is the my main board needs to have enough volume for open ocean conditions where safety is the main concern re having enough volume to get home if the wind drops but be able to handle the chop of the open water. I haven't ventured out in these conditions as yet but working up to it when I have the skills 
Thanks
Its a bit of a big step down. But you don't have to get an in between board. Learn to waterstart on the 130 in winds that are too strong, so its easy to get lifted up and the progression onto the 104 will be much easier.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Its a bit of a big step down. But you don't have to get an in between board. Learn to waterstart on the 130 in winds that are too strong, so its easy to get lifted up and the progression onto the 104 will be much easier.
Thanks Mark, that's very encouraging. Getting my water starts solid is definitely a big priority for this winter
Are you water starting on one leg? This allows you to pull the tail of the board toward and under you (as long as the board is not too floaty).
Select to expand quoteremery said..
Are you water starting on one leg? This allows you to pull the tail of the board toward and under you (as long as the board is not too floaty).
Have experimented with front leg and back leg on the board first so haven't settled on a technique yet. Was having more success with front leg on first like a beach start
Try setting up the smaller board with footstraps inboard. Single back strap. A 63 wide board with feet out on the rails in strong wings is big step from the sailing you might be doing with the naish. A 70cm wide board is very versatile, I would be trade the naish for something 70cm wide, or keep it. Something that size will carry a 7.8 and is good from 15knots. You need a sail about 8M or more to really exploit the light wind qualities of your naish compared to a 70cm sized board.
Hey blue f man, if money is no object get an in between board. I can vouch for the Super rides, have a 102 and 124, very easy free ride boards that are fun to ride. They get on the plane easily and are not too technical. The 113 is 68 wide which is mid range of the width of your current boards if you're planning to hang on to them.
If money is an issue plug away as suggested above.
Happy sailing. 
Water starts and beach starts back foot first - to pull the board under your arse (and bear it away)
The weight is going thru the boom not the foot (largely)
Remember try to keep your front arm straight and they rig as vertical as possible for water starts. Feather with back hand but try not to bend elbows and pull rig onto you.
25+ years ago I expressed my frustration at difficulty water starting and the coach said "don't worry by the time you can gybe your water starts will be no problem".
Not sure why, but instead of being more overwhelmed by his comment I was reassured. Water starts are my best skill I reckon, still working in gybes
Do your self a favor and get an in between board, the Titan is wide and the Mistral is a lot narrower, too big of a step to make with reasonable amount of time and effort IMO.
I made a similar step at in volume (135 to 106) and I'm 90kg. Just put the Mistral straps inboard. Expect to point well off the wind with the sail upright to get going. No need for another board.
I weigh 75 kg and used to have a 125 and 105 freeride boards (Goya FXR and JP all-round; I still have the 105 but sold the 125) Although they both were freeride boards, the behave differently. I can uphaul the 105 but it is much more work than the 125. Plus, it makes more sense/easier/less effort to waterstart a smaller board. If I couldn't waterstart the 105, I would use the 125 because it was more fun. You should start practicing your gybes; that will take care of your waterstarts as well :)
84 to 63 wide is a significant difference in stability given your level atm. As said, you don't have to find an intermediate board but how much time do you have to sail and make the transition using existing boards?
Most sailors I know would have a board in the 114 range and around 72cm wide and up here it would get a lot more use than a smaller board. You could sell the smaller one to fund something you will get a lot more use out of if the NSW conditions are similar to QLD.
Simon at Board Crazy Bris has a 114 Futura in very good nick that would be a perfect step down if you decide to go that way. Yes it's my board , but regardless it is the kind of board that would suit being a more forgiving width and length. A board like the Futura would be perfect if you decide to go that way.
While both boards are great and worth keeping, I think +80cm board might hinder progress beyond a certain point
A friend had near identical sized boards and never quite got the skills to make the jump to the smaller one. From watching his journey I think 80cm wide is too forgiving and doesn't teach you to drop low and bear away with the front leg as you need to on small boards.
But going straight to 63cm wide is too radical unless waterstarts are dialled. You get tired too quickly uphauling every time.
I'd imagine something about 115l * 70cm in freeride would be the sweet spot to bridge from one board to the other if budget allows
Select to expand quoteracerX said..
Try setting up the smaller board with footstraps inboard. Single back strap. A 63 wide board with feet out on the rails in strong wings is big step from the sailing you might be doing with the naish. A 70cm wide board is very versatile, I would be trade the naish for something 70cm wide, or keep it. Something that size will carry a 7.8 and is good from 15knots. You need a sail about 8M or more to really exploit the light wind qualities of your naish compared to a 70cm sized board.Select to expand quoteracerX said..
Try setting up the smaller board with footstraps inboard. Single back strap. A 63 wide board with feet out on the rails in strong wings is big step from the sailing you might be doing with the naish. A 70cm wide board is very versatile, I would be trade the naish for something 70cm wide, or keep it. Something that size will carry a 7.8 and is good from 15knots. You need a sail about 8M or more to really exploit the light wind qualities of your naish compared to a 70cm sized board.
Will try an inboard position for foot straps for sure.
Got an 8m Ezzy Cheetah sail late last year but still haven't had it in the water.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
Hey blue f man, if money is no object get an in between board. I can vouch for the Super rides, have a 102 and 124, very easy free ride boards that are fun to ride. They get on the plane easily and are not too technical. The 113 is 68 wide which is mid range of the width of your current boards if you're planning to hang on to them.
If money is an issue plug away as suggested above.
Happy sailing.
Thanks Mate, the Super Rides do look nice, not many available atm
Select to expand quoteBoardwalk said..
84 to 63 wide is a significant difference in stability given your level atm. As said, you don't have to find an intermediate board but how much time do you have to sail and make the transition using existing boards?
Most sailors I know would have a board in the 114 range and around 72cm wide and up here it would get a lot more use than a smaller board. You could sell the smaller one to fund something you will get a lot more use out of if the NSW conditions are similar to QLD.
Simon at Board Crazy Bris has a 114 Futura in very good nick that would be a perfect step down if you decide to go that way. Yes it's my board , but regardless it is the kind of board that would suit being a more forgiving width and length. A board like the Futura would be perfect if you decide to go that way.
Thanks will check out the future for sure
Select to expand quoteMHSA said..
While both boards are great and worth keeping, I think +80cm board might hinder progress beyond a certain point
A friend had near identical sized boards and never quite got the skills to make the jump to the smaller one. From watching his journey I think 80cm wide is too forgiving and doesn't teach you to drop low and bear away with the front leg as you need to on small boards.
But going straight to 63cm wide is too radical unless waterstarts are dialled. You get tired too quickly uphauling every time.
I'd imagine something about 115l * 70cm in freeride would be the sweet spot to bridge from one board to the other if budget allows
Thanks mate
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Water starts and beach starts back foot first - to pull the board under your arse (and bear it away)
The weight is going thru the boom not the foot (largely)
Thanks Mark,
When I first started I remember watching a beginner vid for beach starts and they used the front foot first.
Will try with the back foot
Front foot first is natural for a beach start, back foot in the strap for water starting.
Water starting is easy to learn in waist deep water. If the wind isn't strong enough to lift you easily onto the board you bend your knees and stretch your arms to give the sail more leverage.
Why do you want to go out sailing in the open ocean? Lack of a local bay? The couple of times I've tried it chop on top of swell has made it into hard work
Select to expand quoteMr Milk said..
Front foot first is natural for a beach start, back foot in the strap for water starting.
Water starting is easy to learn in waist deep water. If the wind isn't strong enough to lift you easily onto the board you bend your knees and stretch your arms to give the sail more leverage.
Why do you want to go out sailing in the open ocean? Lack of a local bay? The couple of times I've tried it chop on top of swell has made it into hard work
cause that is where he can meet the business men in grey suits!
I have the titan as well and is rides nice and simple. For my 100kg it is my +30l board, which I can uphole comfortably. Considering your weight the mistral is your +30l and therefore quite large. A shorter board needs more front foot pressure that you are used too. Give it a second try, uphole it a few times in lighter winds and get out in stronger winds to get comfortable waterstarting it. With 73kg you will soon have at least another 90l or smaller board, which means you need a big car or trailer carrying all your stuff.
Select to expand quoteMr Milk said..
Front foot first is natural for a beach start,
Are you sure? I've never done a beach start front foot first.
Try and make sure the sail has good power while standing next to the board, take a couple of steps toward the board to push it downwind, jump on quickly, doesn't really matter which foot, just get the power on and get moving so the tail doesn't sink.
I water start with the same leg, maybe its the stronger one, one side I step on then inter the front strap with the other foot. The other side I step on and shuffle forward. Either way its better than laying in the water with both feet on the board.
Back foot first allows you to pull the tail of the board upwind leaving the board in perfect direction to jump on and get away. Anyway, what ever works for you I guess.
^^^ I agree
Back foot beach start also gets you ready to waterstart properly - if you beach start front foot, then try to waterstart its harder to learn as you wont be loading the boom or pulling back foot under your bum
Just learn these things in very well powered conditions
Select to expand quoteMr Milk said..
If I step on back foot first the tail sinks and the fin hits the sand
Then put the foot further forwards on the board and hang down more on the boom. This will be a good practice for learning proper water starts.
(and/or go to deeper water...)
What you people from WA don't appreciate is that lots of places don't have wind all the way in to the shore. "Beach start" a lot of places means stand on the board and slog out to where the wind actually is.
Sometimes it means the same as it does in WA, that being "I can't waterstart here because it's only knee deep."
Since you are already familiar with the naish brand, have you thought of the starship? It truly is an amazing board! It's classified as a bump n jump, freestyle wave board and gybes like a dream. The board has phenomenal speed along with a huge wind range. I use mine from 16 mph winds with 5.8 sail to 30 mph winds with a 4.6 sail. I have the 115L and it's still going strong. My board is going into its 7th year now.
Select to expand quoteBluefusionman said..
Hi,
Question is, should I get a board in between these sizes or should I just suck it up and commit to the Mistral?
What you have looks like a perfect combo. ! am 70Kg and my largest board is a Starboard Futura 109 that I take down to 10-12 knots. I can uphaul it easily with a 7.5, and you should be perfectly fine uphauling the Mistral 104 and a smaller sail. No need for a board in the middle. The Futura is a bit small for me, it took the place of an Isonic 111, so I will probably switch an AV Slalom 118 paired with an 88. 30L difference is a good gap nowadays.
