Select to expand quoteMrCranky said..
Do any of you guys factor in "I may need to up-haul if the wind suddenly dies"? Can you? I was out on a 90L FSW + 6.1m in 18 knots. On my last run, the wind just completely died. Luckily I was almost ashore. I tried to up-haul just for the hell of it and couldn't (the board is about 58 cm wide with a lot of rocker). I'm 68 kg. So I ended up carrying my gear downwind - first time I have ever had to do that.
Yep - in Melbourne this is always a factor. If its a seabreeze and not 100% there, I would go for a volume where uphaul is do-able. Its one thing being caught out and puttering back to shore and another being caught out and not able to uphaul.
Two days ago we were blasting along in a solid 20 knots of seabreeze and literally 10 seconds later it was gone. Now I mean literally, it went that quickly. It was nice to have a few more litres to get me back in.
I think if its cranking and frontal wind rather than seabreeze, I will take the lower volume board out with much more confidence. The WA guys are really spoilt when it comes to wind. Spent a week there just before Christmas and I could happily retire there.
Select to expand quoteMrCranky said..
Do any of you guys factor in "I may need to up-haul if the wind suddenly dies"?
For me, board selection is more about enjoyment of current conditions, to be able to ride through the lulls if there are a lot of them, not worrying about a sudden wind drop. If it's a really variable day, I'll take out my 105L board to maximise planing time. If it's a good day, and the wind suddenly drops, I can uphaul my 78L board if I have to and limp home in 5 knots. Then again, how often does a good day suddenly turn to nothing? Think I've only ever had to do it once or twice.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..MrCranky said..
Do any of you guys factor in "I may need to up-haul if the wind suddenly dies"?
For me, board selection is more about riding through the lulls if they are a lot of them, not worrying about a sudden wind drop. If it's a really variable day, I'll take out my 105 board. If the wind dies, I can uphaul my 78L board and limp home in 5 knots.
I did a double take when you said you could uphaul on a 78l board. Then I checked your weight. Guessing not many of us weigh in at 67kg anymore. Last time I did was about 10 years ago.
Agree with getting through the lulls though.
I always rig a uphaul rope saved my arse a few times .even on the 104 litre
I was the only one who made it home one day in plantation island ..when the win shut off ..thanks to a uphaul ..
only one who used one ...on the day ..
Select to expand quoteTardy said..
I always rig a uphaul rope saved my arse a few times
Agreed, I remember once forgetting my uphaul and having to sail without it. Didn't matter in the end, but the whole session there was the 'what if the wind drops' niggling in the back of my mind. Weird, but it felt like driving without a seat belt on.
Select to expand quotewindaddict said..
72 kg's
In 17+ knots:
93L SingleThruster
5.0m combat
Planning no problems.
Are you sure you're 72kg? Maybe 70? You look like you can get the 5.0 Combat planing in about 15kts.
Select to expand quoteSputnik11 said..windaddict said..
72 kg's
In 17+ knots:
93L SingleThruster
5.0m combat
Planning no problems.
Are you sure you're 72kg? Maybe 70? You look like you can get the 5.0 Combat planing in about 15kts.
In fact 72.5kg's in my shorts. So given I wear a wetsuit and harness, it would be around 73kg's.
Select to expand quoteMrCranky said..
Do any of you guys factor in "I may need to up-haul if the wind suddenly dies"? Can you? I was out on a 90L FSW + 6.1m in 18 knots. On my last run, the wind just completely died. Luckily I was almost ashore. I tried to up-haul just for the hell of it and couldn't (the board is about 58 cm wide with a lot of rocker). I'm 68 kg. So I ended up carrying my gear downwind - first time I have ever had to do that.
Wind died on me recently and I had a long swim in. There's been a great white shark seen in the area too so I tried not to think of sharkies. 
Proved there wasn't a great white between Valentine and Carey bay that day. 
I'd usually be on a larger board in those gusaty conditions but got as bit overconfident that day. 
I usually rig the 95ltre if it's gusty although I have been too lazy to practise uphauling the 7m cammed sail and doubt if I could as it fills with water and is really heaby..
Select to expand quoteSputnik11 said..Harrow said..MrCranky said..
Do any of you guys factor in "I may need to up-haul if the wind suddenly dies"?
For me, board selection is more about riding through the lulls if they are a lot of them, not worrying about a sudden wind drop. If it's a really variable day, I'll take out my 105 board. If the wind dies, I can uphaul my 78L board and limp home in 5 knots.
I did a double take when you said you could uphaul on a 78l board. Then I checked your weight. Guessing not many of us weigh in at 67kg anymore. Last time I did was about 10 years ago.
Agree with getting through the lulls though.
I weigh 65kgs and I wouldn't be able to... Kudos to Harrow 
Select to expand quotewindaddict said..Sputnik11 said..windaddict said..
72 kg's
In 17+ knots:
93L SingleThruster
5.0m combat
Planning no problems.
Are you sure you're 72kg? Maybe 70? You look like you can get the 5.0 Combat planing in about 15kts.
In fact 72.5kg's in my shorts. So given I wear a wetsuit and harness, it would be around 73kg's.
I hadn't thought about the extra weight of the harness etc. 
93kgs
20 kn (open ocean b/j) 90 ltr Carve, NP 5.4 Excess
Tomorrow, flat water, forecast 20-25 108 Fanatic Hawk, 6.7 Overdrive. Now that I have the gps logit and earphones set up ready for a test tomorrow will be keen to try the 6.7 on the Carve, fin might let me down but I think the Hawk will be the quicker board.
