small board for SF bay @ Coyote/3rd 160# rider and 4.5/5.0

windsurferd · Joined: 08 Apr 1997 Posts: 61

opinion for bump & jump board around 76 l.

I'm looking at JP 77 FSW Pro, Fanatic FSW 76 TE

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Some of the modern pure wave boards have flatter rockers and more width, so they can also work for maximum wind, usually with 82-85 liters, equaling the control of the 77's, but able to get you home.

xander.arch · Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 217

I'm selling my 2012 tabou pocket wave 80l. It can be run as a single (b&j) or a tri (wave) and is in great shape. Works fantastic for b&J and also for small wave days. I'd let it go for a good deal. PM me if interested.

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9299

JP is one of my hero's but I wouldn't buy his boards.

In todays shorter wider boards you can use 5 more liters for the same ride as yesterday. I highly recommend the Tabou, Exocet, Quatro or Goya brands. All seem to feel smaller but give you the volume you need. A modern 80 liter board can feel like a 72 liter classic.

dvCali · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1314

boggsman1 · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 9120 Location: at a computer

Goya 1....get a 78, you'll use it for EVERYTHING...

vtm81 · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Posts: 50

I agree 100% with Stevenbard on his recommendations especially for Tabou boards.

Oh look, there is a Tabou Freestyle 80l board for sale in the adds.... Wink

rpaillon · Joined: 02 May 1998 Posts: 124

I use to have an 85 liter Sea Trend. It handled very well but felt big (like a truck) on 4.0 and 3.5 days at Tomales. I then went to a Kinetics (Jimmy Lewis) free wave 78 liter. It was the right size for all the sites in SF Bay and Tomales for high wind--3.5 to 5.0 meter sails. I weigh 155 lbs. When I compared it to a Real Wind 75 liter wave board it seemed a little stiff so I changed to the Real Wind. That board often felt a little small when trying to get planing in 5.0 conditions. After it blew off the top of my car I got a Real Wind 80 liter. That size is just right for all conditions from 4.5 down to 3.5 and also in a steady 5.0 breeze. I sometimes go to my 105 liter board with a 5.0.

I tried some newer, fatter, shorter JP and Star boards down in Baja. They're different but I doubt any better. Maybe they plane up a little faster, maybe, but they don't track as well. They feel like a car with a loose steering wheel. In spite of their loose feel they don't seem to whip around a fast turn any better--they sometimes trip over their inside rail.

To sum up--don't go less than 80 liters. If you want to feel really under control in 3.5 conditions stay smaller than 85 liters.

windsurferd · Joined: 08 Apr 1997 Posts: 61

Thanks for the info.
I settled for a Quatro Thruster 82. Nice looking board,can't wait to get it on the water.

David