Board recommendations for a big guy?

[gobigkahuna]

I'm seriously thinking about getting back into windsurfing. A lot has changed since I last windsurfed so I'm hoping to get some advice. I already have a huge SUP with mast mount that I've been using in light wind but am ready to move up to a faster board for wind over 15 mph. I weigh 255 lbs and will be sailing probably 75% of the time in chop and the rest in waves to shoulder height. What sort of volume and board style should I be looking for?

[gvogelsang]

Tough question.

I weigh 210, and my favorite board at this point is a Firemove 122, which I use with a 7.5 and a 6.5.

I am guessing that a Firemove 130, Rocketwide 128 might get you going in winds over 15, but would also be difficult in waves? Perhaps a Rocket 135 would be more all around?

[jingebritsen]

2.2 lbs per kg means 116 liters for neutral buoyancy. plus 10 liters for the rest of the kit. 126 liters for semi-sinker performance when considering wave sailing.

x-wave 129 might be all you may need for high winds, whenever they finally become available.

http://www.exocet-original.com/xwave.php

i spend tons of my wave sessions on the x- longboard 11'5"
waves well, planes well, does the windSUP gig best in my world.

http://www.exocet-original.com/xlongboard.php

i'm 210 lbs and am a working man stuck in a not so windy area.

you may also like these link boards 11'8" or 10'

http://www.exocet-original.com/link.php

[wsurfn1426]

[cgoudie1]

Greetings Mr. Kahuna

I'm not as big, but I love my 155 ltr Angulo Sumo (you'll have to find
one used). For me, it feels like a giant wave board. Give it a thought. Wave
guys need a little extra flotation to get out through the white water, and big
wave guys need a lot of flotation, the Sumo rails are nicely tucked up front,
and should ride pretty smooth in big chop for a big guy, plus no caves
anywhere near the tail for better speed potential.

.02

-Craig

[carl]

Not enough info. The big question was not answered: " can you reliably water start?"
If not, then anything under about 175L is going to be trouble in any sizable chop.

[NOVAAN]

If your focus is the wave sailing and you have the skills required, then think a large wave board. If your are developing planning skills, foot straps and turning then you need to think about a board that will get you going in very lite winds for a guy your size. Since you already have the SUP for the low end of your sailing site, maybe something like a Tabou Rocket 135. RRD Firemove or Starboard Atom IQ. Without knowing your skill level or your sailing site, its a tuff call. You want a board small enough to challenge you to progress. That said, if you go to small you won't get enough time on the water with it. Go to big and it will fit the same wind range as your SUP but might be faster. Demo or take a wind vacation to World winds in Texas or some place like it. Go at the windy time of year and try every board offering they have. The learning curve is a bit more difficult for a guy your size. Mostly because you require more wind to get you going. I'm 165lbs. and at 17mph plus, I start thinking 5.5 and 96 liter Tabou 3s. That said, I have friends your size and once the wind picks up just a bit, they are tuff to keep up with.

[gobigkahuna]

[joethewindsufa]

[gobigkahuna]