I have been using my standard fibreglass surfboards strapless with my kites in the waves but am rapidly trashing them with dings, compressions and stress fractures through the glass. I like the idea of being able to ride the same board both when kiting and surfing - especially useful when travelling.

Just wondered what everyone else was using and how some of the more kite orientated surfboards go when paddled into the waves?

Ha yes I must admit I'm not being that careful with them and frequently end up getting trashed in the shore break. I should really go a kite a few more down the line perfect tropical reef passes

I want that board too. So much less hassle one board for am and pm.
Mostly use traditional surfboards and accept the fast depreciation.
Have an airush compact for 6m kite conditions (thats when I've damaged boards).
Generally buying second hand.
IMO Futures will out last FCS plugs.
Was keen to try firewire's but they were getting bad press on the forum.

Was using second hand boards, then bought one for $400 basically brand new, snapped the nose off first session.

And Dowls I reckon you're right, when it's 15 knots no problems, but when 25kn that's when boards start breaking.

Ive been slowly trashing my quiver of surfboards until I recently tried a proper kitesurfing surfboard. I wish I had have tried one earlier.

It doesn't bounce in the chop and is heaps easier on my knees after a long session. it cuts through chop and seems heaps more stable. You can also go much shorter than your normal board as no paddling required. the other thing I loved was the deck grip for the front foot. I can't believe I've been stuffing around with wax for so long. for me it would flatten and get slippery every 15 minutes. Also feels a lot stronger underfoot when landing jumps.

In short - do yourself a favour and try a kitesurfing specific board and stop wrecking your surfboards.

I dunno SB. I am sick of trashing my boards too.

Your strapped board is almost tow board dimensions.

surfingboye said..

dowls said..

IMO Futures will out last FCS plugs.

especially the old school FCS plugs, the two round black ones...

just last week i pulled two plugs and lost my fin just doing a turn.
don't even need to hit the sand to lose them.
only ever pulled one Futures plug, landed heavy on it with my forearm.

keen to try the new FCS though, a far bit more surface area and the new fin system is pretty slick!

The FCS Fusion boxes (and I assume the new FCS 2 boxes as they have the same template) are tough as I recently finished a new board for myself and first session ran it into a sand bar (low tide and a bit shallower than expected, board literally stopped with my 100kgs on it) thought ah well I got some repair work to do, flipped it over......not even a mark.

The old black plugs weren't that great and installing them can sometimes be hit and miss, particularly with boards being mass produced in asia, it's common to see gaps in these boards around the plug and slight movement in them, the more recent ones are better and if properly installed are strong enough (not going to hold up running into stuff obviously) good thing is though when you do damage them they are easy to repair, fusion boxes make a mess and from what I'm told repairing futures is also messy and difficult.

futures boxes do damage despite popular belief it's just harder to notice, generally do 1 of two things either the tab that holds the front of the fin in place crack or sand build up and abrasion result in the fins being a loose fit around the sides (causes fins to wobble). Obviously they can also be pulled out but like the fusion boxes this takes some doing.

I've got both and honestly I will be sticking with the fusion boxes, easy to install, tough as and the benefits of having the full fcs fin selection (which to me is wider and more varied in shape to futures)

Sorry to side track the thread, in response to original question, I reckon the number of guys who can kite the same board they surf without some fashion of compromise in one or the other or both is pretty few, I say have one of each with specific construction that's fit for it's use.

2c

Fcs fusion plugs allow for more transverse fin flex than futures. Grab both plugs and try twist the plug with your hands, fusion has a lot more flex.

Finally, an interesting thread with no bashing on style strapped or unstrapped! I ride both, strapped and unstrapped. My unstrapped board only has a tail pad only, 6 foot, 18 wide and 1 7/8 thick. Sick board but with my chunky monkey I can't paddle it in the surf. But the board is amazing with a kite. I still love the feel of wax under my foot, but as the other poster mentioned, it doesn't take long to wear off due to kiting being so dynamic as you are always riding and not waiting for sets. When its bigger and or choppy, I use a board similar to the Smook above (nice by the way)....I enjoy a good boost off waves and lips but I cannot boost strapless and at nearly 53 not sure I want to go through more pain learning. I love the idea, and the dudes that do it look amazing, but right now that is not where I am at. I can do little punts, but am not game to take it any further.
I would rather go the two board route. Having said that, three weeks ago I snapped the tail on m favorite fish and I had that board for a year and a half. I really loved that board......rip

think Tona are about to bring out a crossover board for kiting and surfing

my number one 'go-to' board is no longer the mulcoy.
i prefer a super light Weber SLX, a $200 brand new ebay special.
5'10 super narrow and pretty thin.
what a shame to crease the tail and pop the fin out last week... lasted around a year though!
good value if you ask me.

Main said..

surfingboye said..

my number one 'go-to' board is no longer the mulcoy.
i prefer a super light Weber SLX, a $200 brand new ebay special.
5'10 super narrow and pretty thin.
what a shame to crease the tail and pop the fin out last week... lasted around a year though!
good value if you ask me.

deck grip?

surfingboye said..

my number one 'go-to' board is no longer the mulcoy.
i prefer a super light Weber SLX, a $200 brand new ebay special.
5'10 super narrow and pretty thin.
what a shame to crease the tail and pop the fin out last week... lasted around a year though!
good value if you ask me.

Don't you like the Mulcoy anymore? loving mine, but always interested why riders change, for me the Mulcoy is smooth, super light and turns on a dime an ideal strapless board.

pumpnjump said..

surfingboye said..

my number one 'go-to' board is no longer the mulcoy.
i prefer a super light Weber SLX, a $200 brand new ebay special.
5'10 super narrow and pretty thin.
what a shame to crease the tail and pop the fin out last week... lasted around a year though!
good value if you ask me.

Don't you like the Mulcoy anymore? loving mine, but always interested why riders change, for me the Mulcoy is smooth, super light and turns on a dime an ideal strapless board.

Mmmmm, i swapped to a different, super light board last month and I fell in love with it.
the Mulcoy felt floaty, slow and really heavy in the air compared to my little Webber.
i'm going to go down that path again for my next board.

Main said..

surfingboye said..

Main said..

surfingboye said..

my number one 'go-to' board is no longer the mulcoy.
i prefer a super light Weber SLX, a $200 brand new ebay special.
5'10 super narrow and pretty thin.
what a shame to crease the tail and pop the fin out last week... lasted around a year though!
good value if you ask me.

deck grip?

so how often do you need to stop and comb the wax while your out in the water ?

i never stop mid kite for freshen it. i just always have it prepared with a three step wax layup.
the key is a good base coat, that way when the soft (super sticky wax) moves, you still have grip beneath the surface.
this is just what i find works for me...
***and give away the mrs palmers, its **** wax lol***

bene313 said..

All I know is that I'm sick of landing punts and eating it due to front foot wax smear. Actually, this cost the nose of one of my boards.

Full deck grip for me on kite boards.

its the Mick Fanning hamstring Im worried about