Best Lite Wind Weapon

Proparoo · Post by **Proparoo** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:48 pm

OK The seasons coming to an end, and I (like most of you) are not ready to give it up for winter...

This means we need to pull out all the weapons that will allow us to keep on going, and going, and going....

This brings me to my question,

Since I will be trying to go out on days that I probably won't get going on my regular board (Lightwave 135) and my RRD 16, I am thinking of getting a lite wind tool... something big and flat....

I have been checking out the Slingshot Glide but I'm not ready (at least yet) to shell out $550 plus shipping...

Let's hear your suggestions, observations and opinions on a great lightwind board for flat water.

I am currently @ 170 lbs, (if I lay off the stuff durring the off season :drinkers: or take up :vom:
I have a 16m RRD ZH and will be looking to use it at Folsom Lake in about 12 to 15 mph.

As always,

Thanks !!! =D>

ramsey · Post by **ramsey** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:34 pm

The glide is a great board if you wanna get up and going in light wind, but it is not very good for jumps. Landings are hard if you're not careful and it doesn't edge well. I can ride it in a little over 10 with my 16 and I weigh about 250lbs.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:22 pm

You can buy my Jesus board if you want. I am only parting with it because I have a new one for myself. It is better than the glide with the exception that the glide is very flat-which equates to less drag. The difference is noticable at about 8mph. Above that it is nice to have the rocker. It is very smooth and much much more forgiving than the glide. $300? All carbon/kevlar/glass/divyncell core. It will take you an hour to get used to riding it but once you do, it is a great light wind weapon. You are more than welcome to try it at Alameda if you ever see me around.

Yuri

Scotty · Post by **Scotty** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:45 pm

One word for you:

Aggression Barn Door

OK that was three words. I bought this board and everyone who touches it, swears by it. I have used this board in 10-15mph winds with my 15m Slingshot and have been happily cruising upwind while everyone else is walking the beach. I have used it in the surf as well but it is a little trickier. The dimensions are 140 x 46 with a slight bevel on the ends. You ride this, you will never look back.

adamrod · Post by **adamrod** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:10 pm

if you have a surfboard (any size, although smaller is better), you should try riding that. strapless is really fun, and if you have a surfboard lying at home, it's free too.

you could also try a mutant in one of the bigger sizes, or a surf style board with straps. You'd have to learn to gybe them, but that's part of the appeal in some ways too.

I've also heard good things about the spleene door board.

I guess when looking for a lightwind weapon, you want to make sure there isn't too much overlap with your current board.

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:17 pm

Or you could just pay someone to hit you in the head with a hammer.

Next thing you know, you'll be moving to Alameda.

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:18 pm

Or you could just pay someone to hit you in the head with a hammer.

Next thing you know, you'll be moving to Alameda.

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:20 pm

I just got a sample of the Brunotti Master. It looks like the perfect lightwind board. It's a 152x40 with some rocker and very little concave.

Word on the street is it's an awesome board. I hope to ride it soon... I'll respond with some feedback! www.brunotti.com

Good Winds

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:50 pm

That Brunotti master looks like a good board. Looks forgiving, but everything is a compromise. I like the idea of using woodcore as it can probably flex more than foam without breaking. i am trying to make a board with extreme flex so it can be made flat and the sheer weight of the rider is enough to add the needed flex. I just dont know how to make it strong like snowboards. But it seems Brunotti might be onto something.

elli · Post by **elli** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:50 pm

@Uri ñ for more flex try thinner core and thicker glass. There is a lamination simulation software that you can get from one of the distributors for free. It's a massive XL spreadsheet, and lets you try different resins, fabrics cores and so on. It gives you the mechanic properties of end result. Experimenting on the computer is cheaper than experimenting with real materials. :)

I built a few light wind boards myself. Its very time consuming to get it right, you have to make a few iterations.

From my experiments Spleene like shapes surpass the glide style shapes in overall rideability, chop handling and so on. Unfortunately the Speenes are ridiculously expensive to buy.

Its very easy to build a light wind board that will have amazing low end. There are a few plans floating around. Basically you cut a piece of ply, paint it and put straps. Very quick.

On the other hand, its very difficult to build a light wind board that is a good all-round board, meaning it does more than just go upwind in low wind. I tried a few rail cuts, outlines, rockers, flex in different point across the board and so on. Its like a second hobby after kiteboarding.

If you do start your own project, IMO what will get you there faster is take a Spleene shape from 06 and copy it. Copy everything, the rail, tip, flex areas, fin placement and so on. You may find that you don't need to do a second iteration.

Another tip:
If you are light weight, loading the back of a flat board with long rail takes big toll on the back foot. If you have completely flat pads and loose straps, you can move around on the board, so it takes the pressure of your legs. Moving the back foot an inch or two backward makes a big difference. Another solution is to cut the board shorter. That's the nice thing about wood boards, its easy to change them.

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Best Lite Wind Weapon

Who is online