Hi all.

I'm looking for a new ride, and am bamboozled by the new board styles, having not sailed for around 10 years. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

I weigh 65kg, and do all my sailing on flat water (Botany Bay and Swan Lake mostly).

I used to ride a Bombara Tri-fin (125 litres?). I liked the early planning, ease of uphauling, ease to gybe in low winds, and the fact that I could have a bit of fun on it even in very light winds. I found it's only draw-back was that it did not handle very well in high winds, wanting to leap out of the water and spin-out all the time.

I replaced it with a Bombora Astro-Toy (95 litres). Although the Astro-toy performed much better in high winds in a straight line, the reduced volume left me stranded on the beach in light winds, and I did not find it nearly so easy to gybe. The overly thin and narrow tail often left me sinking and having to walk forwards in wind lulls.

I later picked up a Bombora 295 (160 litres?) which was way too big for my mere 65kg, lacking any real short board feel.

I am now looking for a new board, and would like some suggestions. I only have room for one board. I would like the foot steerable short board feel, but would also like the board to plane in fairly light winds (say 10-12 kts), which is probably not too big an ask given my 65kg fly-weight. I will only be sailing on flat water.

I like to sail with a 5.0m to 5.5m sail. (Remember I'm only light)

Suggestions please?

Much thanks,
Harrow.

P.S. I may even consider buying anyone's old bombora tri-fin ;-)

Starboard Aero sounds good! on the right track, do a bit of try before you buy if possible.

So many good boards on the market these days, go to a few demo days or go to some of the shops and see if they have demo's for you to try!!

If you want your new board to plane early and perform you will also have to get some newish sails, a carbon mast and a boom that's not too bendy or wobbles up and down. You can't expect a new board to plane in 12 knots and still feel lively with your old 1980's rig. You'll be amazed how much more low wind power and at the same time more high wind control and balance you'll have with a new rig.