I find with the new generation boards volume alone doesn't mean much (unless the wind completely dies).

I am currently in the cough cough 110 kg range but use a '08 92 JP Freestyle Wave as my all round board. The board gets quickly on the plane and has a top speed that can only be beaten by a dedicated slalom board in combo with a large race sail. All the while it's a lot of fun in small waves and turns on a dime. As you can tell I looooove this board.

I believe the early planning stems from a very good volume distribution and rocker line.

You should be fine on a modern 105L board but be aware that you will need a bit more skill to stay on the board once the wind drops to nothing. Take a look at the '09 107 JP FSW in pro edition. I think you'd have a lot of fun with that board. If you can play around with different fins. It makes a big difference on these boards. Not sure what the '10 JP FSW will be like but you might want to talk to Sam from Windsurf and Snow in Sydney. I believe he has recently been to the JP distributors meet and got the full low down on the coming JP range.

Thanks and never fear sailhack. I failed to mention that I have my Starboard Freeformula for those lightwind. I can definitely afford to go smaller for those moderate-heavy wind days when I have a lightwind solution like that.

As a matter of interest what size sails are you using on the 135 lt boards and when dropping down in volume how does it affect sail size for weight over 100kg in the different wind ranges.

Heavy weight sailing is a 'new science' that requires a different point of view from the stock literature you read in my magazine and from what you hear from someone who is under 100kg. For starters the sail reacts differently to weight of the sailor which is why we men of greater stature suffer in less than perfect conditions. The sail doesn't understand the weight of the rider piloting it. With more weight to push, the sail doesn't load up but twists off thinking it has to spill wind in lighter conditions which is why I am constantly using a sail 1m to 0.5 larger than my mates who are flying around at 20 kg less in real world wave conditions.

In my opinion the golden rule for heavyweights (who live in less than perfect conditions ) is not to buy a board of less volume than the kg of the pilot. If I live where it was nuking then an 86 litre board with a 5.8, 5.0 and 4.5 would be the go. So if you are 107kg and live in less than ideal conditions then my advice is don't get a board lss than 107 litres. Nowadays with the advent of 'virtual volume' I move more toward width of the board as a general guide and find that a board less than 58 wide is a waste of money for my weight in every day conditions.

I'm a 100kg and my board quiver consists of a 122 Futura for flat water with a 7.5 6.5 Naish combination to hit the sweet spot of the board and and a 107 Kombat for waves which is 65 wide on which I will carry a quiver from 6.9, 5.8 to 5.4. On the rare days when east coast Qld has good wind then I will grab a 4.7 and my wife's 80L board and grin but those days are few and far between. This works for me in the conditions I normally have to sail in but things will be different depending on your predominant conditions.

Hate to say it but a 13 m Bandit kite is getting me out on the water about 3 times more often than sailing in the surf. There are pros and cons to both kiting and windsurfing so I will simply continue just do both.

^^

a couple of other "heavier" guys i know also find boards less than 235 are too short. for me 240 is about right.

lol, i didn't get it.

235cm

Also... bigger guys dont need as much downhaul -> they have a bigger leverage moment, which causes the mast to flex more.