Speedboards how to choose???

You are addicted to speed & windsurfing. Would a speedboard would be a addition to your quiver??? Would a speedboard break every personal record or not??? Yes speedboards are in some conditions faster! The difference can be as big as 5-8kn.

1) What is your weight???
Lets make 3 groups (lightweight till 75kg/ medium weight till 90 kg / heavy weight 90kg+), I guess 90kg is for most condtions the ideal weight, no prove, that is my feeling

2) No sandbank/ shallow spots around??? Only open water???
Lightweights can use speedboards on open water surfing down-the-line. The Fanatic Falcon Speed is a excellent board, just plug the Select Caspar ELITE 25 underneath. I got the feeling medium/heavyweight are on open water better off with a fast slalomboard, this is because the biggger the board the easier you fly over nasty stuff. I sailed almost 2 years on the Carbon Art Speed 50, to be honest if you ain't 90kg+ this board has NO advantage over a good slalomboard, I would only recommend 100kg guys the CA SP50. Nowadays with the Fanatic Falcon 79 the only limit is myself. The chop/waves make the board loose&fast, its quite easy compared to a speedboard.

3) Shallow Spots/ sandbanks
On shallow spots (chopheight max 0,4m) you can go faster with a speedboard!!! My top 3 as a 79kg heavy speedsurfer:
  1. Fanatic Falcon Speed
  2. Carbon Art Speed 44
  3. F2 Missile XS
If you do have a flat spot and the wind is 20kn or more, even as a heavyweight you should consider a speedboard. The speed difference is BIG, I mean up to 5knots big and with a speedsail you will be surprised how easy it is to get going with 60-70 liters. Speedboards start to work from 32-35kn speed, from there its like heaven. I prefer my weight- 20 liters = 80kg- 20= 60 liters. If you are 105kg (-20) = 85 liters the CA Speed 50 would be a good choise for most conditions. This rule is very simple, please take that in mind ;)

In the Netherlands you can buy 2 of my favorite production boards BRANDNEW for less than 600,- euro's, I don't know how the prices are in the rest of the world but I bought the falcon speed since the prices are LOW... Do you want to break PR's? Do you have a good spot around? Buy a speedboard!!!

F2 missile XS is also on my list to buy some day... sailed it once and the control was magic for such a small board

Eriksurf

Erik is windsurfer for 10+ years. In his daily life he is professional in construction dewatering, advisor, troubleshooter. Erik likes adventures, explore and to challenge himself. During his life he is trying to get the best out of it and have respect for the earth, nature and future generations. The modern world is about sharing, in this blog Erik shares his experiences, selfreflection and lessons learned.

Related Posts:

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    "In the Netherlands you can buy 2 of my favorite production boards BRANDNEW for less than 600,- euro's, I don't know how the prices are in the rest of the world but I bought the falcon speed since the prices are LOW..."

    Hello,
    I´ve got a question in spite of your post from August 2009. Are the boardprices today the same like in 2009? Do you know the shipping costs to Germany?

    Best regards

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Check this page for dutch shops, maybe you find something: http://windsurf.startpagina.nl/

    ReplyDelete