Hi all,
I am considering to buy a wave board, to use in strong winds in Botany Bay and to start learning some wave sailing if possible. My current board is too big for strong winds (112 lt freeride), and I was wondering if I can use a wave board (85 lt) in choppy bay conditions as well? I guess freewave would be a better option, however, as I can only buy a second hand board I do not have much choice, and it is easier to find a wave board. Planning to use it with a small 4.2 wave sail. My aim is just to be able to go on water in stronger winds, I am not after some high speed achievements for now. I am not very experienced sailor and have only tried freeride boards, that is why wanted to get a second opinion.
All advises will be highly appreciated.
Cheers,
How big are you? Plenty of intermediate sailors on Botany Bay use boards that are their weight plus 10-20 litres in choppy southerlies. But not many get much use out of sails smaller than 5m
I am 58 kg. I think my main question is is a wave board OK option for riding in Botany Bay in stronger winds? Do people use wave boards in these conditions? ??
At 58kg you could probably go smaller than 85l. And plenty of sailors use wave boards on windy days if only for the reason that no manufacturers make small freeride boards. But be sure that you are comfortable with your waterstarts. The chop gets up to waist high in a decent southerly
Select to expand quoteMishka said..
I am 58 kg. I think my main question is is a wave board OK option for riding in Botany Bay in stronger winds? Do people use wave boards in these conditions? ??
Answers;
Yes
Yes
Wave boards can be used anywhere
Some guys use the them all the time even in flat water. ...
They have thier own set of pros and cons verse slalom gear....
4.2 is small......but it should be enough on a 85l waveboard at your weight in about 18kts, maybe less....
Wave board wont necessarily be easy than a free ride board.....it will be a lot hard for you to turn if your a beginner...
Botany is great
There are heaps of different sailors there with different approaches
GPS sailing is popular there, Double Demerits is the team that mainly sails there
Regardless of your gear you could join that team and start recording data for your windsurfing
Good luck
There are lots of lighter guys sailing Botany that only use wave gear Billy,Harold,Kazue,Simon,Andrew,Peter and more.
A 80 litre board and a 4.5 is the go to size for most of them.
Thank you all! Even if it is a disaster at the beginning, I will buy it and try to use it :)
Mishka,
No doubt that combo will work for you.
I'm 65 kg, and use a 78 litre on Botany Bay, usually with a 5.3m, but if the wind is 25 knots, my 4.7m is easily enough. Plenty of guys using 4.5m sails on Botany Bay.....4.2m is Kazu's LARGEST sail, and he weighs similar to yourself..
At 58kg, a 4.2 sounds ideal for your weight on a strong day. Freestyle Wave board would be better if you can manage to find one (easier planing, faster, easier to control), and for your weight, 85 litre will be plenty. Once you are used to it, you may well want to go down another size.
Regards,
Harrow.
