Hi!
So I am looking for a new waveboard for dead onshore conditions. The waves are often mushy and without power. Sometimes the wind turns to side onshore and the waves pick up, so I also want the board to carve on the rails.
I had the freewave stb, but it doesnt want to go rail to rail at all. I'm at 95kg, so I want a big board at around 110 liters.
I've been looking at the Simmer Quantex 109, Starboard Kode 115 and the Ultra 110, as well as the Duotone grip 3 108.
The Kode planes fast, but I'm concerned on the rail to rail abilities? The Ultra doesnt seem that good in dead onshore conditions. Quantex and grip3 looks promising. Anyone tested these boards?
For hard winds and down the line I use a Starboard Hyper 103 and love its rail to rail abilities and front foot oriented riding. I love front foot pressure while riding and want an onshore board thats capable if the conditions turn on.
Thanks 
Simmer is always the board I think of in those conditions. I have an older Quantum as a high wind side-on board and it is somehow both very efficient and goes rail to rail.
Yep! Also get lots of onshore here. Onshore is short interval swell and sweep.
I like the older, longer, single fins, different type of wave riding, narrower board longer line.
I (94 kg) had the Goya Nitro 106 as my big waveboard (small one was a Goya Thruster 98) . The board has real waveboard rocker and was turning rail to rail really well because its only 60 cm wide and has fully rounded rails in the front half (lika a waveSUP). The wide and sharp railed tail carries the speed through the mushy waves.
I sold it because i changed to a one board quiver for side to sideoff conditions with a '25 Goya Quad 104. Interestingly rockerline and front half rails look quite similar to the Nitro 106.
This is great info! Thanks =) My old freewave stb was 65ish centimeters wide. I wonder if its the width or the rails that was the problem. My Starboard Hyper 103 feels like an 80 liter board on the wave. Its only 61cm wide and tail is thin. But you need so much wind if its onshore. So I prefer a bigger board with more float
i'd opt for a more compact shape with width/volume in the tail for dead-onshore. They just bring the pop&go you need.
The large(r) volume "classic DTL" shapes will not bring that much solace in those conditions, especially with low-period mushy waves. Add some good old current and even liberal positive flotation leaves you with a fickle DTL-tail underfoot
If you can still find, the Quatro Super Mini is compact, keeps going well in weak onshore waves, and is super good from rail to rail in weaker waves and/or lighter winds. Nearly dead onshore here:
There's a good article from Peter Hart about onshore sailing in last month's Windsurf Mag, he says that unless its full on wave conditions then use a Freewave board as you need speed in between sets. About 8 years ago fanatic, JP and Quatro all had really short boards that were supposidly great for onshore, Goya now has the Nitro too.
I now use a Stubby 99 litre and its seems great on those conditions.
The Quatro super mini suggestion is a good advice. I have rented one in Pozo, the 85 l one, and it worked very well there. It turns mostly on the backfoot though, too me. So sharp snappy turns with lots of pressure on the back foot, rather than full rail turns.
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
I have a 2016 Quatro Mini Thruster 103 L and a 2021 JP Magic Wave. The Mini Thruster is better in weak underpowered onshore waves and barely enough wind to plane, but once the conditions get better (enough wind to be fully powered or better quality waves) then the Magic Wavde starts to outshine it.
A lot of good advice! Keep em coming
The Quatro will defo be on the list of boards to be on the lookout for!
Anyone tested the quantex 109? Will it be too boxy and just dig the rail? Read that the bigger sizes are more like the quantum
Select to expand quoteWind Smurf said..
There's a good article from Peter Hart about onshore sailing in last month's Windsurf Mag, he says that unless its full on wave conditions then use a Freewave board as you need speed in between sets. About 8 years ago fanatic, JP and Quatro all had really short boards that were supposidly great for onshore, Goya now has the Nitro too.
I now use a Stubby 99 litre and its seems great on those conditions.
I'm guessing these Freewave boards would be thrusters? If so then you could play with a bigger rear fin to get a bit more power/drive?
Select to expand quotejezza77 said..Wind Smurf said..
There's a good article from Peter Hart about onshore sailing in last month's Windsurf Mag, he says that unless its full on wave conditions then use a Freewave board as you need speed in between sets. About 8 years ago fanatic, JP and Quatro all had really short boards that were supposidly great for onshore, Goya now has the Nitro too.
I now use a Stubby 99 litre and its seems great on those conditions.
I'm guessing these Freewave boards would be thrusters? If so then you could play with a bigger rear fin to get a bit more power/drive?
The bit about the fin is also in Harty's article and he suggests putting in an extra 2cm on the centre fin. Also Patrik does the F-wave board that would suit onshore much better.
Select to expand quoteWind Smurf said..jezza77 said..Wind Smurf said..
There's a good article from Peter Hart about onshore sailing in last month's Windsurf Mag, he says that unless its full on wave conditions then use a Freewave board as you need speed in between sets. About 8 years ago fanatic, JP and Quatro all had really short boards that were supposidly great for onshore, Goya now has the Nitro too.
I now use a Stubby 99 litre and its seems great on those conditions.
I'm guessing these Freewave boards would be thrusters? If so then you could play with a bigger rear fin to get a bit more power/drive?
The bit about the fin is also in Harty's article and he suggests putting in an extra 2cm on the centre fin. Also Patrik does the F-wave board that would suit onshore much better.
Makes sense. Nothing worse than sailing crap conditions under finned
Grip 3 for me , its a modern version of the wider tailed stubby boards. I use my 85 for onshore waves and bump and jump. keep my Starboard ultra for DTL sailing
Select to expand quoteSurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
I think that the term "forgiving", while accurate, it is probably not the best wording here. The word is a perhaps a little bit overused and a forgiving free-ride board can for instance feel a bit boring to sail for experienced riders. I have now had my cortex board for more than a year and it is anything but boring. It is instead the most versatile wave board that I have ever owned, and I have used in many different conditions during the last year. From my crappy local spot in a large lake, to sweden's west coast conditions, and also a full week in Cold-Hawaii last autumn. In moderate to well powered 4.7 weather in Hanstholm (at the fish-factory) I actually had one of my best wave sessions ever. :)
So instead of (or in combination with) "forgiving" I would like to suggest the term "enabling", as the board really helps to keep the speed up during carving turns. This really helps in the bottom turn and one can easily look ahead and focus on the next step, during the turn, as the board doesn't demand much attention there. The full-rail, extended, cut-back is something that I have never really tried to do before, it sort of just happened by accident once and I now really like it. All of this has really improved my riding skills in general and once I have practiced on the cortex, I can then try to do the same, or something similar, on more "demanding" boards.
Select to expand quoteOla H said..SurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
Cool to see you reply as well, Ola :)
What are the main difference between the Quantum 115 and Quantex 109 are? Since I'm heavy I want a bit float and easy planing. But I also would like to draw out my turns and be able to turn on the rails as well. My old freewave was not able to turn on the rail. It just dug in to the water and I sold it pretty fast 
Select to expand quoteOla H said..SurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
I couldn't agree more regarding the Quantex.
Very efficient, easy and smooth riding in onshore. Easy to enter bottom turns with speed and keeping the speed, even if you need to ride clew first for a bit to find right cutback spot. Quick to react! The width off the relatively short tail makes it easy to turn tight without stalling and quick to accelerate out of turns.
For sure the board is "Enabeling" and confidence building
When conditions turn on it's also highly capable.
@85kg the Quantex 92 is my goto board. Nice to have a bit of extra volume when it's not bothering.
For 5.3 - 4.7 onshore and side on I go with thrusters, 18 or 19 and 10.5 sides
Quantex 85 is on the wish list for 3.7-4.7 conditions.
Select to expand quoteJoF said..Ola H said..SurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
I couldn't agree more regarding the Quantex.
Very efficient, easy and smooth riding in onshore. Easy to enter bottom turns with speed and keeping the speed, even if you need to ride clew first for a bit to find right cutback spot. Quick to react! The width off the relatively short tail makes it easy to turn tight without stalling and quick to accelerate out of turns.
For sure the board is "Enabeling" and confidence building
When conditions turn on it's also highly capable.
@85kg the Quantex 92 is my goto board. Nice to have a bit of extra volume when it's not bothering.
For 5.3 - 4.7 onshore and side on I go with thrusters, 18 or 19 and 10.5 sides
Quantex 85 is on the wish list for 3.7-4.7 conditions.
Cool to read!
I dont know if I want the 99 or 109. If the 109 is "the same" just with more volume, I opt for more volume. But a lot of the 100+ liter boards are not so good at riding rail to rail
Select to expand quoteHaawaii said..JoF said..Ola H said..SurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
I couldn't agree more regarding the Quantex.
Very efficient, easy and smooth riding in onshore. Easy to enter bottom turns with speed and keeping the speed, even if you need to ride clew first for a bit to find right cutback spot. Quick to react! The width off the relatively short tail makes it easy to turn tight without stalling and quick to accelerate out of turns.
For sure the board is "Enabeling" and confidence building
When conditions turn on it's also highly capable.
@85kg the Quantex 92 is my goto board. Nice to have a bit of extra volume when it's not bothering.
For 5.3 - 4.7 onshore and side on I go with thrusters, 18 or 19 and 10.5 sides
Quantex 85 is on the wish list for 3.7-4.7 conditions.
Cool to read!
I dont know if I want the 99 or 109. If the 109 is "the same" just with more volume, I opt for more volume. But a lot of the 100+ liter boards are not so good at riding rail to rail
Depends how fat you are. If you're as fat as me then the >100 L boards turn just fine.
Select to expand quotephiln said..Haawaii said..JoF said..Ola H said..SurferKris said..
I now own a Simmer Cortex (90l) and it is much more versatile, to me. The cortex turns much more on the full rail, with even pressure on both feet, in the bottom turn. It also keeps the speed very well though such full rail turns, which helps in onshore conditions. Even the top turn is easily done using the full rail, long turns (+180 degrees) as easy to make as it just holds the rail and keeps speed very well. Such drawn out, full rail turns, are something of a signature turn of the designer (Ola H) and it is easy to spot him from a distance at his home break. So I guess that is something that he incorporates into his designs, and the new Quantex will likely also excel in that.
Thanks Kris. Indeed, I have been told my unusually top turn which I tend to hold on to longer with a fuller rail than many can indeed be spotted from a long distance. I think it is a technique fin, but obviously I have also developed my boards and fins to help me do it. The Cortex and Quantex are indeed VERY good boards for riding effectively in onshore due to how they board carry speed on their rail but at the same time turn tight. Both models are simply very easy and forgiving when developing your technique for onshore wave riding. But they are in fact good in sideshore and actually in bigger waves too due to their stability, so overall goog all round board, in particularly when working on raising your wave riding level.
I couldn't agree more regarding the Quantex.
Very efficient, easy and smooth riding in onshore. Easy to enter bottom turns with speed and keeping the speed, even if you need to ride clew first for a bit to find right cutback spot. Quick to react! The width off the relatively short tail makes it easy to turn tight without stalling and quick to accelerate out of turns.
For sure the board is "Enabeling" and confidence building
When conditions turn on it's also highly capable.
@85kg the Quantex 92 is my goto board. Nice to have a bit of extra volume when it's not bothering.
For 5.3 - 4.7 onshore and side on I go with thrusters, 18 or 19 and 10.5 sides
Quantex 85 is on the wish list for 3.7-4.7 conditions.
Cool to read!
I dont know if I want the 99 or 109. If the 109 is "the same" just with more volume, I opt for more volume. But a lot of the 100+ liter boards are not so good at riding rail to rail
Depends how fat you are. If you're as fat as me then the >100 L boards turn just fine.
I'd agree with Phil on the fastness issue, I had a 113 board and it turned great, my friend who is 72 kg had a go and couldn't bury the rail to get it to turn. I often think that us fatties need like 10 litre plus a bit more as we are using a larger sail, therefore a larger mast, bigger harness and wetsuit which all adds up. I'd like to be skinny but I like beer and cakes too much too.
I'd say someone who's around 80 kg could easily get away with 10 litres more but someone who's 90kg needs 15 litres more, thats just my theory anyway.
You might want to have a look at the Quatro Power as well. I am at the moment around your weight and used to have the previous version at 115L and changed it after 3 or 4 years to the latest incarnation, the 114L. For dead onshore, it planes very fast, gets you out of trouble most of the times and is also very agile. It will take a large sail (I have used it from 6.8 down to 5.0) and is a blast to sail.
I had a Kode and feel that the Power is a bit more wave biased. Just my 2 cents.
Select to expand quoteCuchufleta said..
I had a Kode and feel that the Power is a bit more wave biased. Just my 2 cents.
I was very unimpressed with the older versions of the Kode when I rented them on vacation in 2017 and 2019. However I sold my Power earlier this year and now have a 2024 Kode. The current Kode is excellent in cross onshore waves, even holding its speed better than the Power going DTL clew first.
As an aside, I always felt that the Quatro Cube was easier to do clew first bottom turns on in cross onshore conditions than the Power. The Power planed earlier but the Cube just was easier to get turns that flowed better and felt satisfying than on the Power.
