At 3:50 in this video on the topic of board sizing from Apple Tree, Wieger says that being right at your weight in liters makes the effect of chop more noticeable, and that it is easier to deal with if you are just over or under:
Select to expand quoteSpokeyDoke said..
At 3:50 in this video on the topic of board sizing from Apple Tree, Wieger says that being right at your weight in liters makes the effect of chop more noticeable, and that it is easier to deal with if you are just over or under:
What is your experience, and/or thoughts???
I'm looking at my second board for all around winging and thinking something close to my weight, but trying to dial in my choice
Is getting going in choppy conditions something that you struggle with?
If it is, I think there are many variables to consider, the board volume being down the list. I reckon -10 to +10l isn't gonna make that much of a difference.
IMHO that Appletree advice is really absurd.
+10 to -10 does not matter if you have a solid start technique like the cockroach or cowboy start.
Those extra liters do matter if the wind really comes down and you have to schlog home...every extra counts for being able to stay standing up,reduce wobbling and keep some glide.
Lenght too, anything under 5' sails like a box.
If i had better consistency in my local winds i would ride -10 or -15.
But they fail very often, so +10 it is.
What do you mean with 'second' board? Will you have a 2 board quiver or are you progressing and looking for a new board that ' does it all' ?what type of board and what volume suits you is pretty dependent on what you want to do, you typical conditions and your ability.
volume does matter a lot, in some circumstances. Once flying you don't need volume. Having some board to leverage is helpful while riding large wingspan wings.
volume matters most with slogging and starts (in my experience, but I dont't jump). A board with your body weight in volume can slog, but it requires a bit of effort and a bit of wing pressure. If there's just not enough wind in your wing a board with your weight in volume will sink about ankle deep, because of weight of all the equipment.
With some chop hovering at the waterline isn't easy. If you have +10/15 liters you will float and slogging will require less effort.
I tried starting on boards with -40, -30 and -20 liters. I think with a bit of practice I could take a -30 or -40 liter and push it down to stand on it under water and then grab my wing and get going. The -20 liters would float to much for that or would be a lot harder. But all of these require some wind power in your wing. There's no slogging back to shore, imho.
This might be very different when you are shorter and lighter, but IMO Length is for getting on your board and getting on the foil in chop at least as important as volume:I,m 188x97kg and prever slightly longer boards, they make for me life soo much easier as shorter ones.Where I live we always need a wetsuit and boots so probably wet very close to a 100kg and riding wings from 5.5 to 4m. (I have a 3 but use that seldom) on a AK5.6x90l and a KT5.4x56l. The AK is light and relative long for a 90l but waay quicker to get going and easier to balance on when slogging as the 5.2 boards that most brands make around this volume.
Due to its length my KT5.4x56l was easier to climb on in terror chop and get on the foil then the 20+liter Fanatic 4.11x75l Style TE and I experienced the same with various other boards around and below the 5ft and needs less wingpower to get going, so no need to go overpowered.
Jeroen, thanks for pointing out volume vs. length. Comparing your KT (5'-6" x 90L) to my Fanatic Sky Wing (5'-8" x 125L) is striking. That is probably why my Fanatic feels so corky. It's my first wing board and it was very difficult to balance at first. I will keep this in mind when it comes time for me to size down.
I've just changed from a 135L to a Fanatic 95L. I'm 85ish Kgs.. So far it's been a pretty humbling experience balancing on the 95L in chop & strong winds. I would like to try a 85L & see if it's actually easier to start It would be interesting to see if the lack of flotation makes it not quite so corky. I'm thinking just under the waterline might be easier to get a foot up as not so much bobbing around
Without trying a board out first it is always going to be a guessing game. In my area I don't mind the chop IF there is enough of a gust to PULL the wing, then it's not so hard to get up, but if the wind is gusty and has holes left balancing on the board in chop with little to no pull in the wing is tiring. I have a 65l board and was 67.5kgs (plus full winter gear), I just dropped to 63.5kgs through my summer fitness training and everything feels much easier - so if the board is a little on the low volume side you could always eat less doughnuts, or more if you want a sinker !
