Exocet windsup 11'8?

akrausz · Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 158 Location: FL

Sure, the 161 will work. Often I like to go immediately up wind, so that it's easier to get back regardless of whether the wind is up or down. You can shlog back up wind with your 161, it just takes patience and practice.

If the wind is usually 10-12, consider your target once you advance to planing, harness, footstraps and waterstarts. Longboarding, formula/slalom, and now foiling, are all viable in 10-12, yet all quite different. There is plenty of information to read. Longboarding is an easy, reliable and versatile way to get around the lake in 10-12, but most will say it's the least thrilling.

AG80 · Joined: 04 Mar 2014 Posts: 39

The Exocet or any other longboard such as the Kona would work well in your conditions. Very versatile boards and you will not outgrow the board. You could put your 6.5m sail on the board and sail from 5-20 mph winds, going from subplaning glide to planing. Use the larger sails when you feel comfortable. Learn how to use the dagger, how to use the footstraps and planning with the same board. In addition, works well in the waves and as a SUP. I think these type of boards are great for gusty lake conditions.

Use the Go to develop your shortboard skills and in consistent planing winds. As you improve, you may want a smaller shortboard.

I sail in similar conditions and have always had a longboard in my quiver.

qwertyjjj · Joined: 09 Jul 2015 Posts: 98

grantmac017 · Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946

If you want to progress then rig to plane and forget about keeping it easy.

Or get a KonaOne.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

kona one is a bit more technical in cornering than the 11'8".

both are life long boards for most venues around the world.

in a lake, i can't think of a better board to progress with than the 11'8"

qwertyjjj · Joined: 09 Jul 2015 Posts: 98

B737 · Joined: 27 Mar 2009 Posts: 216 Location: Jersey Shore

forget about center board, if you want to progress you dont need it, you will sail just fine without one.

you need smaller, wider, modern board. one that will be easy to manage and sail with you when you are planing in the foot straps. Easy to hold down.

i cant see how a 12 foot SUP board will accomplish progressing other than for sail handling in very light winds. the Go you have right now should be your biggest board.

Windnc · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 85

I have been windsurfing over 30 years in all kinds of venues from high wind blasting to ocean wave sailing etc. As much as I love short boarding my Exocet Wind-SUP is likely the most versatile boards I have ever owned!!

It is great for teaching windsurfing, stable and easy to sail. I have introduced several dozen friends and family to Stand Up Paddleboarding on it due to its stabilty and easy paddling for beginners. I have taken kids and adults for windsurfing rides on it just having them sit in front of the mast or standing up. With smaller kids you can hook on a second boom at the bottom of the sail cut out for them to hold onto while standing in front of you holding onto the lower boom. I have towed kids and adults on an Inflateable SUP behind it as well.
For light wind ocean sailing It is really fun! Coupled with a big wave sail like the Aerotech Phantom 7.5 or 6.8 it easily rides out over the breaking surf taking the stress out of getting out in light winds.

Once out it is really fun to kick the daggerboars down, sail way up wind, kick the dagger back up and then just blast downwind in the straps on deep broad reach runs riding swells on the outside and waves coming back in. Or you can just take the dagger out and sail back and forth just ocean cruising, sub or fully planing in the straps and riding small waves in. The board still motors up wind pretty well too without the dagger.
On flat water with the stock longer fin mounted on the board is super easy to sail, a fun light wind or higher wind blasting around board well suited to helping advanced beginners learn more skills to transition to shorter boards. I also enjoy just cruising around on it for flat water eco-touring or even planing around with my 9.0

I also find for sup paddling the board is faster than you would think for it's size and keeps up well with most all around paddle boards made for both flat water ocean paddlesurfing. Thanks as well to its surfboard shape it is a fun and easy bay or ocean downwinder.

It is a big and heavy board but once in the water it's light wind sailing and paddling versatility make it super fun to ride.

Chuck