Dusted off the 4'5" 44L Cabrinha Link the other day and went with the size up H700 over the H550 I usually ride with it. Bloody great fun on bay swell. I usually ride the 4'8" 60L Code and this was so much more manoeuvrable.
What is it like starting a circa 40l board compared to a 65/75l board (assuming an 85kg + rider)?
I assume you use a similar stink bug start? Is it increasingly difficult given the signifanctly reduced volume?
Select to expand quoteMilesH said..
What is it like starting a circa 40l board compared to a 65/75l board (assuming an 85kg + rider)?
I assume you use a similar stink bug start? Is it increasingly difficult given the signifanctly reduced volume?
Hi, I am 72kg and I use a 55L board.
When I tried the 35L they told me to sink it with both my feet, but that didn't work for me. I ended up using the stink bug as I usually do.
On my first day it was 40+kn on a 3m, I could waterstart with a shopping bag :)
The second time I used it it was around 18kn on a 4m. It was quite physical to get it going. At 18kn with the 55L I am almost at the point of switching to the 3.5m. Honestly I wouldn't choose a smaller board if it forced me to get a bigger wing.
It's nice to ride once you are up, but I didn't really feel that it would be a gamechanger with respect to the 55.
It's more agile in the wave and more direct, and if you are into freestyle it will jump higher and it's easier to turn, but it comes at a price.
If you are not sticking the landing perfectly and really powered it will sink a lot, then each time it's quite demanding to get going again.
The 35L was sinking so much that my chest was almost under water.
If you live in a really windy place it's a nice to have, but for me I am sticking to my 55L as a single board.
I can ride it from 7-8kn and no upper limit.
Didn't find the stink bug very helpful so just start the same as my bigger board. Knees to feet, key use to wait for a big gust and get up and going quick. I'm 70kg and use to do the same on my 37L
I also never really learned the stink bug. Just knee start. About 89kg (dad bod). Daily driver is now Sky Style TE 75. Last year I was a little lighter and was on the Sky Wing 4.8 60l. The 4.7 45l was fun in high wind but in high consequence spots I don't trust my ability to get going if the wind dies and I also prefer to downsize the hand wingg. 3.5 D/LAB is the daily driver. Rode the new Sky Style SLS 65l in the gorge and that was pretty sweet even in fresh water. Now transitioning to the off-season getting a DW board or two
I also never really learned the stink bug. Just knee start. About 89kg (dad bod). Daily driver is now Sky Style TE 75. Last year I was a little lighter and was on the Sky Wing 4.8 60l. The 4.7 45l was fun in high wind but in high consequence spots I don't trust my ability to get going if the wind dies and I also prefer to downsize the hand wingg. 3.5 D/LAB is the daily driver. Rode the new Sky Style SLS 65l in the gorge and that was pretty sweet even in fresh water. Now transitioning to the off-season getting a DW board or two
I,m simply not flexible enough for the stinkbug
but with the normal knee start I can ride with my 188x95/97kg my AK 5.6x90l when its light or gusty and grabbing my KT5.4x56l when the wind is more constant with anything from 5.5 to 3m.
Small boards are so much fun, as long as you have consistent wind. If not they are more hassle then it's worth. Sink bug on your knees is the easiest way to start. In consistent winds I'll go for my 38ltr prone board & at 85kgs I don't find it too hard on a knee start. Just hold the board and handle of the wing ( using the wing to balance) & wait for a decent gust to go.
