Its come that time again to chop in the Gong Flint 5'8, I weight 85kg and I use Axis Foils HPS 1050 and 880. I wing on ethe Mediterranean Sea and we get choppy conditions. I can gybe and still trying to nail that tack, but I go out in winds ranging from 8knots with the 8m CWC to 25+ with a 4,5m Slick.
Now I want something shorter and narrower (Easy car access), but so confused now. On a light wind day I need to slog back to shore, worst case scenario. Somebody recommended the ENIS 87 Rock n Roll as a good board, I have seen the new Axis boards as well, and I like the new Fanatic range. But Volume I am not sure about, if I should go 85ltr, 90 ltr or even 95ltr.
Any suggestions would be great....Community do you thing!!
Lots of posts about board volume. Not clear what volume your board is now. I find that at -10L I can slog in just about any wind speed above 5 knots. You may have more trouble, so I'd say +10L over your weight in KG would be slog-able for anyone who is past the beginner stage. So, my biggest board is about 70L for my 77kg. Not much to be gained from more volume for me. Make it as short and light as possible and you will be happy.
At your weight and skill level you should be more than good with an 80ltr board, maybe even 75ltr. I've been happy with the Starboard takeoff.
DC
the square / rectangular type boards seem easier to get up on and to slog back, easier to balance on with little to no wind, but you loose angle when you carve hard, so you will want to decide what matters most for you, recently some posters have been getting into the longer narrower downwind type boards too
As someone else has mentioned it's not just about volume , shape/length play a big part in stability.
Im 68kgs and use a 57 Ensis r/r great one board option for me , very short for its volume and beveled edges makes it great for freestyle and carving In waves.
I also have a custom board slightly longer but same litres , with sharp rails this board is more stable in the light wind and takes less effort to get going but doesn't feel as small/nice as the Ensis and you really notice the sharp rail bite when loading for a jump or catch the rail on a wave.
On the very lightest of days i definitely notice the difference as the Ensis will need a few more seconds of gusts and some harder pumps to get going and that can be the difference between between getting on foil or getting fed up.
Both boards -10 and I've found that is a good guide for litres then just look at shape to suit your needs.
i'm 90 kgs, and had a 4'10" 98L board that was very thick. that thickness left me feeling disconnected from the foil. went down to F-One Rocket 5'4" 75L board. much better feeling with a thinner board. semi-sinker for me, but even when the wind goes light, i have no problem schlogging in on it on my knees. and starting is only marginally harder on the 75 vs the 98.
What is the reason you wanna go shorther and less wide? because if you shave of length and width you have OR less volume or a way thicker board. Both aren,t exactly great light wind assets.
I tried a bit shorther boards, but the benefits of them are for me less than the cons so at least for now I settle around the 5.4/5.6mark.
I,m 188x95/97kg+full hooded wintersuit probably over a 100kg. lightwind: AK5.6x27x90l , mid/highwind: KT5.4x22x56l.
The "extra" length makes me get on the foil a lot quicker as similar volume sized but shorter boards, and with the boxes quite far forward the extra swingweight is minimal.
I'm definitely in the camp of liking some length and NOT liking thickness. I borrowed a board which was shorter and thicker than my usual, even though it was a +15L board it was harder in every way than my usual -10L.
Wow Thanks guys some really good responses and different views, I should have mentioned current board is 110ltr and 71cm wide. Ok I see now that the thickness is an issue for foil response, however then I need something narrower, as for me I seem disconnected from the board, I don't get that locked in feeling. I was just reading about the Fanatic 2022 TE (Mint) edition 85lts, but was told to stay away from this and that is why they are banging them out cheaper. Also looked at the Fanatic, new Sky Free at 5'3" 95ltr and the Sky Style 85ltr.I know FOne are keeping to the longer style with thinner board as somebody mentioned greater foil response. Probably spoilt for choice that's my problem
