so currently I ride +5liters naked but with wetsuit etc, it's 0liters. I think I read somewhere that -10liters is bad choice as it doesn't float you but corky enough to take every movement from chop/waves? So would it be better to be way under, like -30liters or about bodyweight? And would I loose lowend with -10 or-15liters compared to 0liters?
Feedback apprecited!
I ride -10l. I like it a lot. I was on +10 but that was corky. The -10 is actually easier to start because it's not so corky and sits just under the surface and seems more stable somehow. I can still ride it in light winds and get back to shore if it dies. In fact it's now my 'big' board
I ride -10L and like it a lot. I'm 85kg using 5' x75L. I tend to ride with a wing powered up (5.3m mostly). Very easy to knee start and get going in light winds. My board is sub 6kg and use Armstrong 1250. I can slog this board on my feet in 5-10 knots easy.
Depends what you're doing, I find +10L really helpful when trying new stuff as it's easier to recover if you get it wrong and touch down. If you're just cruising then -ve volume boards are great. I'm 70kg to the 80L was great for learning heel side tacks and Flakas. Would have taken a lot longer on my 55L Sky Wing to learn.
My point of view what's the point. Say you are 80kg... is there a significant difference between a 70l or 90l ? But the 90l has obvious benefits. The 70l in this case only has more negatives than what's gained.
But if you then coupled a 90l with a prone board at 40l... now you have significant performance improvement.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
My point of view what's the point. Say you are 80kg... is there a significant difference between a 70l or 90l ? But the 90l has obvious benefits. The 70l in this case only has more negatives than what's gained.
But if you then coupled a 90l with a prone board at 40l... now you have significant performance improvement.
Well that's what I thought until I went -10l. It's actually easier to start than the +10l. Strange but true.
Select to expand quoteSlyde said..
Well that's what I thought until I went -10l. It's actually easier to start than the +10l. Strange but true.
If the board is submerged, the water on top of the deck, actually reduces the roll instability.
Yeh there is some value in that theory. Although it surely depends on the overall board design as well.
Thanks guys for your replies!
My current board is pretty wide and short, 4'10 x 71cm 85liters, and I have one smaller board option, 4'9 x 60cm with 70liters. I would like to have a board with a bit narrower outline for tighter turns in chop, but I don't know if the new boards measurements are too radical, ie. hindering a lot low wind potential and stability :/
I have found more of it to do with the foil size and mast length underneath. These provide secondary stability when you start to lose it. My 85L board feels much more stable with my axis 1150 than with the 980. I have been using my 110L board lately due to a knee injury that makes kneeling not fun. I just stand up on the board and uphaul the wing. For winter, I have been wearing a drysuit and an older dakine waist harness. The other day I finally got down to just a wetsuit and no harness and immediately realized that starting was much easier with the added mobility of not having all that chit around my waist. My 110cm mast makes everything more stable and fun to fly that high up too.
Select to expand quoteomg said..
Thanks guys for your replies!
My current board is pretty wide and short, 4'10 x 71cm 85liters, and I have one smaller board option, 4'9 x 60cm with 70liters. I would like to have a board with a bit narrower outline for tighter turns in chop, but I don't know if the new boards measurements are too radical, ie. hindering a lot low wind potential and stability :/
60 cm wide is about right, you could go a little narrower but if you have a 85-90 cm mast you should be fine. 4'10" x 71 x 85 litres must look like a brick. Too wide and fat IMHO. Better to be a little longer and not so wide, but again personal preference. Can you try the smaller one first? But remember that any downsize will feel awkward at first, but within a few sessions you will aquire the skills to feel comfortable. You wont progress unless you push the envelope a bit.
