Light wind board recommendations

[xrdave]

Can anyone recommend a light-wind board that they are happy with in MN conditions? I am 155-160 pounds and looking for a board that will be good in 10-12 mph but will still be OK when the wind picks up or when the gusts hit. I am considering a LF low rider 146, Litewave Wing 146, or Xenon Rayo; also wondering about Slingshot Glide or Spleene Door 150, but they might be a bit much when the wind picks up. Any suggestions for other boards would also be helpful.

thanks
Dave

[MAXIMILIANO]

Dave, I am a 210lb guy and I have been using the 2011 Litewave Wing since spring. What I can say about this board is that it is an upwind machine, VERY comfortable pads, very easy and comfortable to ride in our MN choppy conditions. I love the feeling riding it toeside and it does not stick to the water when you want to jump like other big boards. Honestly, I don't know if it is the best board, but I am very happy with it. Always you can try mine before you buy one. Tuesday if there is wind, I am going kiting. If you want to ride it give me a call 763-381-9826

Cheers!

Max

[johnz]

I've had a Slingshot Glide for three years now and I really like it. Slingy kept it simple: very light weight, special low profile fins, thin, and pretty flat.

There is no such thing as a 'no wind' board, but the Glide gets me out and still is a lot of fun. I'm about 215 lbs, so with someone your wight, that's gotta buy you a few more mph's on the low end

And, yes, I am biased

[speedsailor93]

Hi Dave,

I have a Door 54 and a Crazyfly All around 145x44 that I have used a lot in MN conditions & at SPI. The Door gets me going a bit earlier than the CF and I use it typically with a 17 or 14m TD3. The Door starts to dig its nose in as the chop builds in winds 15-20 mph but I have used the CF in much higher winds & with smaller kites as well but when the waves build it can still catch due to the lower rocker. I am 240# so I have been happy with both boards. I have my CF listed in classifieds as it overlaps too much with my other boards hence does not get much use these days. You are welcome to try it if you ever get to Waconia.

Alan

[Dave Z]

Hi Dave - I'm very close in size to you. I weigh 140-145. The Glide will be too much board when the wind picks up. It's flat as a pancake and very skatey and slippery. All good traits to get you going quickly but difficult for a light guy to hold an edge with once the wind picks up. I could ride it as long as I could fly my 16M but once the wind started hitting 12-15 I'd switch to a smaller board. I sold my Glide this spring and picked up a 132x46 Aggression Super Phatty that has a little rocker to it - still skatey but it has a little bite to it when the wind picks up.

[mdh01]

Dave,
I have a door 54 that I use in light wind and can usually stay on it up to around 20 mph and still have fun. I weigh 180.

I'm in Rochester too, so if you want to borrow it sometime, you are welcome to it.

Mark
mdh001@gmail.com

[RobH]

If you make the treck up to Garrison this weekend I have the Cabrinha Plasma that you can try. I use the Plasma for my light wind board 99% of the time. I also have the big spleene door but find my Plasma gets me going in most of the light wind I want to ride and is much more fun to ride without the extra length, the door has a bit more low end for my 205 poundsand will allow me to ride in less wind (maybe a 1 mph less). The Plasma comes in at 146 so might be a nice size for you, goes upwind well but still has a nice surfy feel .

[xrdave]

Guys, many thanks for your replies; you have given me some good ideas for boards to look out for. It will be good to test a few boards before committing. Rob, unfortunately I cannot make it to Garrison this weekend; perhaps another time.
thanks again
Dave