After spending the last 4 out of 5 days sailing 1km out at Broadbeach, the idea of buying a waveboard is starting to appeal to me. I love my freeride, but it's 130 litres and 65cm wide, and when I get well powered up out there in the ocean it gets kind of, well, you know...bumpy. I'd also love to be standing closer to the centreline for maybe actually doing something on the waves...
Any advice on what characteristics to look for in a first time waveboard? Something for blasting around in the swell, not really looking to loop at this stage!
I need a floater (I ain't hanging around with my feet in the water out there, no thanks) and that's about all I know. You don't need to necessarily suggest specific brands; just general characteristics I should look for in a secondhand board...
Sounds like you need an evo92 or something like it ... Tabou pocket wave,jp realworld wave theres a few out there they are all good not as fast as what your sailing but in waves you don't want a speedy board And also move to W.A. the season is nearly upon us
Btw, I'd want to be able to use 5.5 mainly, but be able to go up to 7 in emergencies... And I'd want to be able to go out in like 5 knots if necessary, knowing I'll be able to float around and get back.
Willy i am the same kg's as you i have an evo92 i can dog out to main break at lano in 12 knts with a 5.3.... hard work tho. Try to have a demo on one as they seem to be a love/hate board.
If your used to loading up your back foot you will be spinning out all the time.It's something you have to adjust to to get the benifites of this ride
One thing to consider is making sure you get something with a powerbox fin system, because that's the type of fins you've already got (so you can mix and match).
you sound a lot like my kind of sailing, I have a 122 for freeriding and a starboard kombat 105 for waves, Im 88kg and it floats me and I can carry a 7.3 but it really likes a six, the kombat are crossover boards but with heaps of rocker, really likes to jump. Gybes and water starts really easy.
Well it needs to be at least a 100l board if you’re 90kg and want to sail it in 5knots. You’re better off going for a ‘freeride’ board instead of a full on wave board. Maybe something like the Starboard Futuro 110? And why don’t you want to waterstart, have you got lots of biteys out in QLD?
One thing to consider is making sure you get something with a powerbox fin system, because that's the type of fins you've already got (so you can mix and match).
Yes, of course this occurred to me!! However, all but 1 of my fins (my 31) are bigger than I would need to use for this board anyway (38, 42, 44, 48, 56) so the board itself will be the main consideration. Plus I have a few smaller tuttle fins stashed in Singapore...
I did a fair bit of research into getting the biggest (vol) wave board I could get a way with......consider a RRD freestyle wave 110...get a proper wave fin for it though too loosen up for waves...
I agree with Miller. An EVO 92 or similar sized pocketwave is a BIG step down from a 130L freeride. It will spin out, misbehave and take a long time to plane... you'll hate it unless you have 20kn seabreezes 3 x per week and persist.
You need a 100 - 110L FSW which will still plane early (ish) and be locked in for blasting ... consider a real waveboard when you will do real waves. (Sounds to me like you wanna just have more control and a little bit more turniness in ocean swell, not go down the line all day)
Exactly what I was thinking. Now I just have to come to terms with the idea of forking out the big bickies... these things are quite pricey, even secondhand.
