Info on small wave/BJ boards

River-Lizard · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 188

Just a word of caution about the Chango 75... try it before you buy it. I tested one from Windance and hated it. Felt there wasn't anything the board did particularly well. Ended up with a Naish Global Wave 78L, which I think is a great board. I've also tried the JP FSW and felt that was a much better board than the Chango. I know other people who have the Chango, one who really likes it and another guy who said its ok, but he would not buy the board again. Not saying its a bad board, I think it comes down to sailing style/preferences. The Naish and JP for me were way better for control, earlier planning and jumping. Again, not trying to pick a fight, just saying that the Chango may not be the ultimate high-wind Gorge board for everyone.

insh8bl · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

Love my 09' RRD HC Wave 70 and a 4.2; the combo is close to orgasmic. Very Happy

blythefly · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 22

I think we're straying off the point in discussing boards in the 70-80 liter range for a "for lightweight intermediate lady sailor on big days".

I'm a lightweight guy at about 140 lbs and would definitely not buy anything bigger than what you mentioned in your original post (65 liters). The choices below that volume are pretty limited in production boards given the shrinking market and, perhaps, expanding waistlines of the average windsurfing population. Smile

Might be best to get a custom. I did notice that Big Winds has a 65 liter Naish Pro Wave on closeouts; maybe you can demo that. Caution: might be designed for ocean rather than Gorge conditions.

IMHO, FWIW ... given that lightweight, intermediate, and big are subjective terms.

wooot · Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 199

Just for reference... I have a Fanatic freewave 86 above theChango 75 works great for me in the 4.2 to 5.2 + range. definitely a little more nervous than the Chango, but for my weight in this sail range... absolutely awsome.

Before the Chango had the Fanatic freewave 77 (among others)... was gonna be my super high wind board. Certainly planes a bit better and needs less power than the Chango... but when things got to Way powered to totally overpowered 3.7... totally out of countrol.... which is not exactly what I was hoping for "spray on the water conditions" The Chango fixed all that for me... but I certaily don't take it out in marginal stuff or underpowered.

The Fanatic Freewave 77, on the other hand, would be (in my opinion) an awsome board for someone in who is lightweght to middle weight in the 4.2 to 5.2+ windrange where the Water and wind conditions arent quite so frantic

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

loosescrew · Joined: 28 May 2001 Posts: 95

After riding most 65 ltr boards of various composition, I think the Chango 68 is the most useful board for a small woman. I use it as my big board and can sail it in 3.3 conditions as well. It will babysit an intermediate sailor in all conditions; the footstrap placement should be no problem for a petite sailor - you will want your straps a little wider for swell riding anyway. It turns easy, its light, an easy jumper and its the best bang for your buck.

wmike · Joined: 20 Jan 2001 Posts: 207 Location: Maui

At 140 pounds I sail both the Chango 75 and Chango 65. I sail the 75 from 5.3 to 4.2 and the 65 from 4.2 to 2.7. Even though they are wave boards they work very well in the gorge. This week I also used the Realwind 68 liter board with 3.2 and 3.7 sails and found that both boards work very well for me for swell riding, jumping, and bump and jump. These comparisons were done at the Hatch and the Wall.

gwandsh · Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 39

Thanks all - good info here.

Mike - the 68 liter RW board you tried - what model was that?

wmike · Joined: 20 Jan 2001 Posts: 207 Location: Maui

The one I have sailed is the 240 Power Surf, the smallest that they have made. This season I have sailed it about 6 hours in 4 sessions.

http://www.realwind.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&Itemid=120

bobgatpdx1 · Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 385

The 68L RealWind that Mike is referring to is the "baby blue" one.
See quite a few of the ladies riding those.

I have a Starboard Evo 70L for my small board. It sails quite a bit differently than the other wave boards I tried - but I really like it. I think they make this in a 66L as well (BigWinds). The Evo is a bit wider than your typical waveboard, but still cuts through the chop like a hot knife.

Always try before you buy though - as mentioned above: one man's dream board is another man's swapmeet nightmare.
bobg