What size FSW board? (70 kg rider)

Jama · Joined: 04 Jan 2014 Posts: 18

Hello all,

I am looking at getting a freestyle wave (FSW) board for when the wind picks up to 20 to 30 knots.

I currently have:

-125L Tabou Rocket (everyday board for blasting around)
-150L Fanatic Allwave 8'11" (windSUP for learning light wind wave sailing)

The 125L Tabou Rocket tends to start feeling rather large when the wind starts getting up over 20 knots. I am thinking a FSW board in the 75-95L range might let me get out on those windier days. I now have my waterstarts on lockdown and I weigh 70 kg.

Let me know if I can provide any further details.

Thanks!

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

I'm 70kg also but wear a 4/3 wetsuit every session.
84 liters is close to perfect, just uphaulable and good for decently high winds, with a change to wave fin for anything over 28mph.
Brand and model is up to you, they all work well, but differently.

adywind · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665

The safest bet is a 90ish L -it's the most popular size and the golden goose for the windsurfing companies. Choose it if you sail in crappy conditions, or all you want to to do is blasting and turning. On the other hand if you are ambitious and want to jump higher, carve tighter etc. go for the 80ish -your weight is in favor of the smaller one aswell.

dvCali · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1314

I am 72Kg and use a RRD FSW 85. It is a good size for 4.0 to 6 (if the wind is steady), but I would not mind something a bit smaller to handle 3.7-4.5 conditions when the board is a bit big. When I'll finally change it I might try to shave off a few liters and get a 80-82.

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

sail size and venue?
I own a 77 for 3.7-4.7. I use it with 5.0 or even 5.4 if established.
I also have a 86 wave board, easier slogging and staying upwind when light.
from 125, mid 80s is a big jump so maybe something mid 90s for now assuming you sail inland.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I sail inland almost exclusively, and most 90s still feel much bigger than most 80s when it comes to chop, jumping, and slogging. To me the breakpoint seems to be right around that 85-90L point, plus or minus 5 L with specific boards.

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4161

Always consider venue and wind conditions where you sail when thinking about board size. For those of us that sail in gusty conditions, we have to think about the 5 mph holes on a typical 15-25 wind day. If I am on 6.0 or 5.2 and a 85 liter board, it's a pain in the butt to keep upright in the holes, so I normally choose a larger board - 105 liters. I weight 77 kg.

If you have steady winds, I am envious.

Jama · Joined: 04 Jan 2014 Posts: 18

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:54 am Post subject:

I am your weight.

75L is far too small. 105 would 'maybe be large'

The correct size is determined by width as well.

http://www.tabou-boards.com/boards/2015/boards/3s

Tabou 3S , look at the difference in 86 VS 96 VS 106 width and length

apart from your experience/level of sailing the 96L would prob be my recommendation, YMMV

dvCali · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1314