Does a 95 liter board have a place in the Midwest?

Chad_B · Post by **Chad_B** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:29 am

After my trip to Maui last month riding a 95 liter board and overpowered on a 4.7 sail (35+ mph conditions everyday!!) I really want to downsize some of my gear. Do the serious riders hear believe a 95 liter board is worth the investment living and riding in the Midwest? Or would it be wiser to take a more conservative approach and get into a 105L or slightly larger?

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:35 am

It all depends upon how much you weigh, what sails you have in your quiver, and what your wind "threshold" is. I weigh 142 and currently run a 100 liter freestyle board and 5.8 as my biggest board/sail combo. Have kites now for the lighter stuff.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:43 am

A 95l board should definitely not be your primary board if your goal is to sail often. It does depend on your size, as well.

I'm assuming you want to sail often, so you probably want to start with something fairly large. For an average-size guy (175lbs), you should probably have a 135l (or so) board to start with. For windier days, then get a 105-115l. If you want something for when it's nuking and you know you won't use it much, carry a third board that is sub-100l.

That being said, there are guys who *only* have a small board (David Knight?) and pretty much only come out when it's nuking.

-Coach

thewavebb · Post by **thewavebb** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:37 am

I ride a 98L freestyle board 60% of the time. On the other days i'm using an older freeride 120L. My biggest sail is a 6.7 and I would say I get out about 15 times or so a year on the 98L. I am thinking about picking up a newer style freeride board that has a little widerprofile. I'm also learning to kite so I can get out on the lighter days.

DavidKnight · Post by **DavidKnight** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:47 am

Yeah, my Tiga 260 (88 liters?) is a little small for me at 225 lbs. I need a solid 20-30 forecast to keep me from swimming. But on the days it really blows... pure bliss.

Last fall, my lack of volume resigned me to watch Randy, Chris, Diego, and Judd rip it up at the Tot Lot. I think that was the first time I've had bigger board envy. The way I see it, to get more time on the water, I have 3 choices: loose some weight, pick up a floatier board, or take up light wind kite surfing. Nothing like buying your way out of a predicament.

Chad_B · Post by **Chad_B** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:49 pm

Thanks guys. Your feedback really helps with my decision to.......buy a 95L board!

DavidKnight how do you like that Tiga? I almost bought one last fall and now looking at the '07 models the HyperX 95L is sure tempting...

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:12 pm

You have to realize, David's Tiga is - hmmm... - 15 years old? I think he loves it. And he's cheap.

The truth is, their are a lot of boards out there in that size range that are great and it's hard to go wrong. If you want to save money and get the most bang for the buck, wait for the swap in May.

However, I'm a proponent of buying new and holding onto it for a (long) while. You get the latest (or close to latest) gear at a fair price and you know where it's been and how it's been treated. The trick is picking gear that you're reasonably sure you can rely on will last.

-Coach

thewavebb · Post by **thewavebb** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:24 pm

I have the most fun on my 98L. Its so loose and can be flicked around pretty easy. Not the fastest board, but i'm not about just drag racing.

DavidKnight · Post by **DavidKnight** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:35 pm

Coach- I'm not cheap- I just take REALLY good care of my gear. How else could I still be sailing on mylar '89 Topsails? Okay, I guess I'm cheap.

I do love my '93 Tiga- the poly hull is bombproof, absorbs all the bumps, and has a fast shape. Chad_B - so there's still some Tiga 260's out there? Where did you find the 260? I just might have to splurge and snatch that one up- just in case something happens to my 14-year old baby.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:00 pm

'89 Topsails. Ah..... memories... Mine are llloooonnnggg gone. (maybe I should take better care of my gear...)

Geo · Post by **Geo** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:53 pm

I agree that a 95L to 105L is the way to go. Unfortunately, you then have to decide whether you go with the newer wide-style boards that plane easier and are very loose, or with a narrower Gorge-style board that has better carving, more controlled characteristics in lake chop.
My preference is for the latter - I got a used Realwind 103L that is very versitile. I have a 75-80L board that I never really used last year even with the conditions nuking...The Realwinds have thrusters that also prevent slide-out which is really nice. Might be pretty tough to actually find one around here now I bet.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:30 pm

Though I don't kite, I tend to fall into the same camp as Dave....go only as big as necessary for your fun threshold. Get something big enough to maximize your time on the water but don't get carried away (same for the small end of the spectrum).

I have two boards...both freestyley (wide) - a JP FS 109 and a JP Real World Wave 83. Biggest sail is a 6.9 NP Expression. The 6.9 with the 109 is an awesome combo for me for anything above 12-13kts (I am about 170lbs). I have only sailed for a few years, but I quickly tired of the closet-door handling of bigger boards; that being said I might miss a couple of days when guys are out on their 9.6's, but not too many.

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:36 am

Don't mean to take away from the fact that Dave takes good care of his gear, but the Tigas really are bombproof like he said! We had one blow of the top of our trailer onto the highway...bounce, bounce, bounce & into the ditch... with not even a scratch!! I loved that board. Such a nice feel to the ride and you can really toss it around!