Hi
Just wondering if anyone has any advice on boards for waves.
I am 93kg, intermediate kiter (unstrapped in waves), decent surfer. Mostly ride in Perth slop, but get down south fairly regularly.
I am looking for a kite board that is similar to the board that i surf, something that is light, but also something that i wont destroy in a few kites. I typically surf something around 6.3, 19.5, 2.5. I am struggling to find a kite board around these dimensions. I like the look of the North boards (WAM etc), particularly 2012 given the weight reductions, but they don't really produce anything as big as i want.
So far, i have just been buying cheap surfboards and destroying them pretty quick.
Anyone got any ideas?
Cheers
Surftech tuff-lites are a good option. The newer ones 2 years old have a closed cell foam core that dont suck water in when dinged. Ive got a 6 foot webber and a 6'2 Dick Brewer. They have 2 layers of glass with a divynicell or acricell middle that gives them strength for heel damage. I jump on the and they usually last about 3-4 years. Poly boards last me 6 sessions. I would recommend something about 18 3/4 wide as the kite at 19 inches makes bottom turning difficult. go slightly thinner rails than what your used to, so the board doesnt cavitate ( a windsurfing term).
Check out the buy and sell in the surfing section, or your welcome to demo my 6'2. Probably pick up a second hand one for $300-500.
I also have a bamboo firewire, 6'4 and is sweet, but a bit more fragile.
I used to surf around 6'4", I started kiting on 6'2 but these days use somewhere around 5'9 for Perth slop. I do still have a 6'2 still for when I am on bigger cleaner waves but find that I hardly ever use it, most of the time I just use the 5'9, you are not paddling in so don't be afraid to go smaller than you are used to.
Thanks for the comments. Do the tufflite boards have holes for foot straps - while i am ride strapless prob 3/4 of the time, there are times when foot straps are necessary. Sorry - didnt mention that in my original post.
Some rawsons have plugs, If you go to Stuart Board Saild in Nedlands, you gan buy the 5 hole inserts and you can do it yourself, PM me if you want a good description, it involves using a drill, just left or right of the "stringer" that these boards dont have, but putting it right through the middle where the glass is folded over seriously waekens it. You and get some epoxy car stuff and they never come out. Its usually pink, and had glass in it. For a smooth finish, put just enough in there and put some tough plastic over the top and smooth it out with your fingers, the plastic will just pull off when the epoxy has cured.. Hope this helps.
Heel and front foot dents are good for keeping your board under you feet, Like the Josh Mulcoy pro-board, But a polyester fibre glass board will crack the heel after 6-10 sessions and if you have FCS or other brands, will actually snap your preffered side off the tail of your board. You live in WA, in in Yangebup if Its close will be glad to help insert, For a bottle of wine for my time.
^Yep there is some good production boards, such as the WAM etc, but don't be afraid to get a custom made glass board, guy's like Stoney from Gero (Stone Surf Design), Marty Littlewood down South (Delta Designs) or even some of the local guys such as Colin Earle or my latest Chris McKenzie (Oceanline) can all custom make a strong poly board to your specs for cheaper than most of the production kite boards.
Here is a couple of my latest a 5'8 Stoney
and a 5'9 Oceanline, probably went a little bit overboard with this one heavy duty tow in blank with thick stringer 2x6oz all over and an extra layer of 4oz on the deck but it rides great and I'm guessing will be stronger than most.
Obviously this ugly fella is not me , it is Radman trying out my Oceanline
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I had discounted custom poly boards because my impression was that, relative to an equivalent size and strength epoxy board, they tend to be a bit heavier. Is that fair? I had considered a customer expoxy board from Dave at Katana - anyone used his boards for kiting?
^^^^Dave from Katana??? If your are referring to him, I went to school with the dude, he knows how to shape a surfboard, especially fast ones with down the line speed. He was one of the first surfboard shapers in WA that delveloped Kelly slater type surfboards in the late 1990's but he made them a little longer due to thinner width, and thinner rails, they worked for me. He is a master of his craft, jut like Niel from Hold the line kites is, they have the experience and pediigree. Not to mention Ray from sugarcube. Ive been in Katana's factory and shaped boards under his nose and he had to finish the blank off as I was a total kook. He can put a layer of bamboo under the deck without any issues.. Just remember boards snap at the rails, so its a compromise between stiffness, feel and getting a extra glass job done on the rails.
thanks for all the help. Bought a second hand 6.2 tufflite today to get me by while i sort out a custom board, with strap plugs. Will have a chat to some of the shapers mentioned.
Cheers