Can anyone suggest a good wave board that will do a bit of high wind sailing in really rough conditions. & of course a bit of wave action.
Tabou 3S get my vote. I bought mine for exactly the scenario you described but I think the genre you are looking for is freestyle wave. Most manufacturers make one and they are all pretty much excellent. You just need to get the volume right. Mine is 106 litres for my weight of 80kgs and despite it's larger volume it's a piece of cake in non surf 25 knots and even ok up to 30 knots. Above that I get lifted up and thrown down like a bitch lol. I went 106 litre as I also wanted to use it as a light wind wave board, a role it has filled very well indeed. For my weight the 106 would not be much fun wave sailing in windy stuff but I didn't buy it for that. I would have gone 80 litres if that was the case. My tabou is easy to throw around in light to medium wave sailing and I don't even bother moving the straps in. The only thing with it in the waves is that it's very fast so if you blast off to quickly you can find yourself going to fast to Maneuver but that's a mistake you will quickly correct.
So yeah, freestyle wave, whatever brand turns you on and give the volume some serious thought.
I'd go with a thruster setup, because you can make tighter turns and ofc between 90 and 100L, it's better for wavesailing unless you have a big pure wave board. If you're below 80kg, maybe even something between 85 and 90L...
yeah it would be a thruster setup for me as well. it gives so much more grip and confidence. I'd also avoid full carbon boards as they are prone to bouncing out.
for a single fin option if you can find a RRD fiftyfive secondhand I'd grab it. it is a killer shape. it's an older board and is a real world wave shape so it has a slightly flatter rocker. carves like a dream. it's volume will be getting to much if you are under 85kg. I know there was a slightly bigger version and may have been a slightly smaller one as well.
I got myself an old, 80 litre Starboard Evo for exactly the conditions you describe - high wind sailing in really rough conditions. I'm just under 80kg.
80l is nice with a sail around the 4.7 size, which is nice around the 25 knot range for me. I've added a 23cm fin to replace the stock one.
80kg + 25 knots + bumps = 80l + 4.7 + 23cm
Yeah, having the right gear for the conditions makes a huge difference. Conditions that are edgy on a 100 litre board become a breeze on 80 litres.
You could find a second hand one, board haven't changed that much over the last 10 years except for the number of fins. A single is still fine for not surfing, perhaps preferable.
Thanks so for the interesting advice on what board l should purchase. As l am more a slalom enthusiast l probably go & purchase the new F2 Axxis with the removalable tail. That way l have got two completely different boards in one. The reviews are good.wave& freeride.
Select to expand quotegavnwend said..
Thanks so for the interesting advice on what board l should purchase. As l am more a slalom enthusiast l probably go & purchase the new F2 Axxis with the removalable tail. That way l have got two completely different boards in one. The reviews are good.wave& freeride.
Volume change is very small on that one. 103 litres will be too big in the conditions you're asking about.
When l saw the price it turned me off they are only making the 105 with single back strap at this stage thought there were smaller models may end up getting some more ideas on a appropriate board.
eventually f2 will realise it would have been much more effective, lighter and simpler, to put a set of side fins in the board so It can be run as a single or thruster.
