Hi gang, this has been flogged pretty well on here but my question is quite specific...
I'm in Cairns, QLD
~90kg (on the way to 85 
)
Bought the 5.5 Duotone Slick - hasn't arrived yet
Haven't decided on a foil kit yet, perhaps Axis, in the 1400-1800cm2 range
Competent efoiler & can ride the Fliteboard ultra @ 54L but efoiling is extremely easy in comparison.
No other foil experience
No kite or windsurf experience
Understand wind & the ocean (competent sailor)
Have had 1 session (yesterday) on a Fanatic 106L sup, 6m Slick, 1750 foil in 15-20kts of chop & really struggled, which is normal but perhaps the board was a bit too sinky & made it harder than it needed to be (does that line answer the following question?)
I'll mainly be winging (learning) in 15-20kts, up to 25kts, with no swell (Cairns), plenty of chop, & with plenty of downwinding plans
Not much supping, just winging
Tomorrow I'm going to buy a One Wind Wing Board (carbon) @ either 111L or 125L in the link below. They're short light, well-made high volume boards.
I want a beginner board <6' & there aren't many used, high volume boards like that on the market. I've been a fan of the One brand for a long time & have narrowed it down to the two.
I've the age ol' conundrum of being concerned about outgrowing the bigger 125L 5'8"x29" brand new carbon board too quickly & having to sell & upgrade at a significant loss but also don't want to struggle for sesh after sesh on the smaller 111L 5'4"x27.5" board...
So, 111 or 125?
www.oneoceansportsaustralia.com/shop/wind-wing-boards
I'd get the 125L if I was you. then keep it for a SUP. Then you'll probably skip right over to the 90L range and not even bother with 111L.
I'm a similar weight to you and would agree with martyman, I would get the 125L (this was my first wing foil board size and it was a good choice).
Have the 125L, and I weigh about 10kg more than you. Love the board and reckon this will do me for a few years. At 5'8 it feels surprisingly small. I do not plan on getting into sinker boards. The extra volume is worth having and don't notice it when it is up on foil.
I weigh the same. Learned on a 120 L Fone. It was so easy, never learned the kneel thing because it was so stable. I'd just stand up. After 3 mos, sold it and got the 105 L Quatro. It wasn't as stable and struggled for a cpl sessions, as I had to learn kneeling. Now after 9 mos, ride a 75 L Armstrong.
My advice is to do easy first and focus on learning how to get up on foil. My experience is you can always sell used gear, as lots of newbies starting to show up. One is a decent brand so should have no problem reselling.
Select to expand quotemartyman said..
I'd get the 125L if I was you. then keep it for a SUP. Then you'll probably skip right over to the 90L range and not even bother with 111L.
G'day mate
Agree that the 125L is a great way to start but you will outgrow it very quickly.... if you are happy to keep it as SUP then grab a smaller board when you have progressed then this would be a great option.
I have been in a very similar situation.... I have been winging for about 6 weeks (Cairns local) and now on my 3rd board.. I have been kite foiling for about 12 months so have experience on the foil. I weigh 87 kgs, Started on 120L SUP and as soon as I was up and about I was looking for a smaller board and bought the Fanatic 6'3 inch 106 L (same as you rode) thinking this would do...quickly outgrew that.. sold it and I now have a Naish 95 L 5'7 inch. Even though the Naish is only 6 inches shorter and 11 L less in volume, the difference in performance is substantial.
Have a chat to the Cairns locals that wing to discuss boards that suit our conditions etc, they are a friendly bunch that are only too happy to help.
I appreciate the input guys... I'll let you know how I go.
I was going to go with Axis foils but seeing as the carbon board is so light, I might go all out and get an Armstrong foil kit to keep the weight right down.
