Board Recommendations please!

bse · Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Posts: 34

Yes, another one... I appreciate the advice

185 lbs

Lake windsurfing

Very comfortable with footstraps and harness

Just about 1 year and maybe 25-30 sessions

Very gusty highly varied conditions (sometimes a squall that blows through in 1/2 hour is all I can get, it's flat before and after)

My top speed on my Fanatic Viper 80 (190L) has been ~24 mph (GPS) and i've reached it several times with both sails and in flat and bumpy conditions.

Bumpy conditions considered to be 2-3 ft waves.

I'd like more control when it's going fast, and it would be nice to cut through the waves more.

My gybes aren't great, but they're improving

have a 6.5 and a 9.5, I will probably replace the 6.5 with something else.

can't waterstart yet (hard to learn when the majority of my sailing is in gusts and with a 9.5)

Can beachstart when i don't have the gigantic 54cm fin for the 9.5M

Will keep my Viper for light wind days, but i wouldn't mind eventually simplifying to one board.

It seems like the logical choices are the Shark 135, maybe 150
or the JP Xcite Ride 134/146... but I'm wondering if i'm far enough along where I should be looking at a general freeride board more than the introductory ones.

I'd like to try not to spend too much money, I've already dropped a lot of coin on the sport... so closeouts and boards up to 2-3 years old are definitely considered if the value is right. I've looked at used but there isn't much in my area at all.

Thanks!

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

You're definitely good enough to sail just about any board made, unless you lie a lot! ;-) You don't want to grow out of your next board, you want to grow into it.

I just bought a 2012 Exocet Cross 114, and think it would be a good match for you. You would be able to uphaul it, yet it's pretty high-performance--I've been sailing for 24 years, and really like it a lot. It's my 4th Exocet, they're great boards, and very well made (except the 2013s, which had a manufacturing flaw) The Cross 114 is pretty wide, which makes for quick planing and gives it the ability to glide between gusts and "connect the dots". Comes with a pretty good 38 cm. fin.

antonputman · Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 137 Location: North Shore Italy

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Another really good board for you would be a Tabou rocket 125. I have friends that I sail with and they love them. Don't get the one that has GT on it. Its a very heavy board meant for rentals or schools. Standard construction is the way to go....

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

antonputtemans:

I was told at the shop where I bought it (Delta Windsurf Co., an excellent shop!) that the 2013 Cross 114's were accidentally manufactured without their PVC foam wrap (think Divinicell, or Corecell). This made them very soft and weak, and Exocet had to warranty them.

I don't know for sure if this was all the 2013 Cross 114s, or some of them, but I seem to remember that it was just the 114s. Derek said that if it was bad I would know in 3 hours, that the deck would get soft very quickly. If you're worried about your Exocet I'd check with the shop where you bought it, they should know for sure.

I'd like to add here that normally Exocets are very strong! I've owned a total of 5, currently have 4, I weigh 215 pounds and have never had an issue of any kind with any of them, even the one I jumped incessantly, and never heard of anyone having any problems except this one. I really like their boards, and will continue to buy them in the future. Not sponsored.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

for great performance for the dollar, consider the exocet nano 125

http://www.exocet-original.com/nano.php

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

bse · Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Posts: 34

Isobars... you don't piss me off, and that's actually a really good suggestion. I think you made a few assumptions about me and my experience which I found a bit insulting, but i'm not one to hold a grudge.

Right now though i'm in limbo with windance, i've had excellent service with them before but they shipped me some dakine comp t-handle adjustable harness lines that didn't actually have the T-Handle (a couple of knots where the t-handle should be). They don't seem to want to address the issue (i'm on call 5 and 2 emails including pictures as of today) which makes me a bit nervous about continuing to do business with them.

EDIT: Just called windance again they look like they're making it right...

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Have you talked with owner Dave? I'd be surprised if he didn't make it right. If not, your concerns may be well founded.

You perceived insults that were not there and levied charges you didn't even try to support, thus the impression you weer pissed.

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

Lake conditions, gusty -

X-Cite Ride 134
Any of the new freemove boards around 120 lt.

I have the new RRD Firemove 122, and it has a really good range (7.5 to 5.5), slogs fine, and seems easier to waterstart, perhaps because of the thin rails.

From what I have read, the Tabou Rocket is not to be disregarded.

Edit: I weigh 210, and have been windsurfing more than 20 years.