Ok Difference between a slalom & freeride..I assume the slalom would be faster but trickier to gybe due to the sharper rails..?
I think I really want a JP 120 excite ride but cant find any.I have found a 114 JP slalom..
Dimensions
Jp excite 256 x 68.5 - 7.9kg - sails 5.5m - 7.5? ( I think )
JP 114 slalom 238 x 70 - 6.1 kgs - 6.5m - 8.5m
Would I notice much difference. Main needs are floaty & stable in 5-15kts but early planing ( Im 65kgs). Also be nice if they were fast & user friendly to gybe.
My biggest sail is a 5.7m ..if the manufacturers suggest the board needs larger than that is that going to be a problem?

sboard, go the X-cite ride, having both, I found the X-cite more user friendly across a huge wind and water condition range. Very forgiving board. You may even be able to get away with a 110 if you weight is around the 70 kg's. I am at above 90 and still can get away most days on the 110. Just sold my 130.
They are hard to get hold of due to popularity.

So how do they decide what size sail a board needs? I wouldnt want to try & sail anything bigger than a 6 or 6.5 if I could afford one as they get too heavy.
The board will be way too big for that sort fo wind.
How can a board be too big for light winds..?
Re JP 120 .Yes I think thats what i want but I cant find any..

I was considering the wind range of your 5.7 that is probably around 20 kts... and in that wind with 114L and your size I believe the combo would be too big.

Anyway the JP slalom is a race board that is best used in its top range (ie overpowered) so probably not exactly what you are after.

I'd also say the Xcite ride, I just changed from an older 99L JP Freeride to a 2009 JP 110L Xcite Ride and am really enjoying it. I'm 70kg and 59YO. Has given me a lot more confidence and as said earlier a lot more forgiving, but still as fast and comfortable and XCITING!! Easy to jump, plane through lulls, get on the plane, gybe, etc etc. I have 4.7, 5.3 and 6.3 sails, just need to pick the right wind/sail combo to suit conditions. I sail bay areas so only slight swells.
I'd go the 110L rather than 120L as you are also very light, but I suppose a personal choice.
Cheers

Windxtasy said...

Sue, for light wind days you need a 6.5 m sail at least.
I have a 6.2 race sail that I use for light wind days and could use bigger (and that's on my 95L board).
It's not at all hard to handle or waterstart.
5.7 is waaay too small. Anything uder 15 knots needs a bigger sail.

Cant afford a board & sail at the moment so I need to get a board that wont need me to swim in when i fall off in sloppy 5kts..Sail maybe next year if I pull my finger out & spend less time on this B forum & work more!