To those sinking boards to start what volume / size boards are you guys using. ??
Was easy enough in my boys 28 litre 4.0 foot but I'd like to obviously have a bigger board for proning as well.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
To those sinking boards to start what volume / size boards are you guys using. ??
Was easy enough in my boys 28 litre 4.0 foot but I'd like to obviously have a bigger board for proning as well.
I'm 165lbs or 75KG. If you want to sink start just be careful not to get to much volume as it will get way harder as you have to fight with buoyancy. For example I have HighRoller 4'6" 32L which knee starting is way easier then trying to sink start. I also have a FlyingFish 4'2" 30L that sink starts no problem. You'll also want even volume layout in the board. For example the HighRoller has more volume upfront.
Talk to Beaver, Rich and Shannon when back down. Shannon reckons it is a tight window on volume.
I am 77kg and have used 30L to 41L as sinker boards no straps, all really no worries but i find the slightly higher volume board comes out of the water easier. I stand on my boards underwater with bent legs so having the bit more volume just lifts me up a bit quicker. The 30L board is still no worries just need one or two more knots of wind to lift out of the water.
Not sure at 77kg I would want anymore than say 50L but anything under that is fine to do this type of start.
Awesome. I'm nearly the same weight and I tried out sinking a 5 foot 46 litre board in the pond the other day (no wing) and while it was possible, you get off balance and she shoots out and up. Was imagining it going through my wing a few times.
I figured the over balancing issue could be exacerbated in swell in the ocean.
My conclusion was maybe about 40 litres would be more doable and serve as my prone board as well.
I have just tried a sinker board for the first time.
75kg for a 40l Gong Matata 5.0.
Managed to get on foil twice, using the knee start technique.Did not try standing on both feet underwater as it was low tide,maybe next time.
It was a lot of work because the wind was dying out and gusty, long time since i swore so much,so loudly,in such a foul way :)
Hardest bit for me was to get from kneeling and using the LE of the wing as support to getting the wing out of the water and driving the board.
The feeling once up and going is wonderful!.
I am 1,80m 80kg and use my 4'6" 40L prone board no straps. No problem on strong side, still practicing on weak side. One trick that helps me a lot is to pull on the wing leash down (under water) really hard as I am getting on the board. With the wing buoyancy, it almost feel like you are holding onto a pole. To help the board rise to the surface, I try also to stay as low as possible by bending my knees to get extra buoyancy until I get some speed. Overall, I find sinker starts on my 40L much easier that knee start on my 65L, especially in rough waters. Unfortunately I can only use this 40L board on really windy days with my 5m wing (18+ knots).
