Hi,

I am new to the sport and has been using 1 board (133 x 43) for local conditions. However, as the wind picks up to 14 / 15 knots, a lot of effort is needed to edge it upwind. Thus I am planning to get a second, smaller board.

The question is which size should I get to cover as much of the wind range as possible? My concern is the width to take into consideration stronger conditions (like 20 knots). down to 129 x 40 or even smaller?

local conditions: waves, with slight chops, usual @ 12 to 14 knots. Weight: 95 kg.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thank you in advance...

as the wind picks up 15-20 knots you should find it increasingly easy to edge upwind on that 133

Hard to say from info you provide (what board brand/model?) but I agree that more training and better technique is probably the answer, not a smaller board.

133 x 43 is already small for a 95 kg guy

I'm with the stupid! 133 is pretty much a border-line-small board for a 95kgs rider unless you're riding some very high-aspect kites and rather over-powered. At 92kgs I used to own a 126cm for a few seasons which I absolutely loved until I've changed kites (for medium-aspect ones) and realized that I can't go upwind anymore. Replaced it with a 133X44 and haven't looked back ever since. Looking for a surfboard though - need something with more volume for light-wind and waves.

Thank you all for your advice. with my current equipment (16M Cab SB) I am able to go upwind, on the 133x43. However, I find it tough to go upwind when the wind picks up, thus the thought of a smaller board.

My understanding (correct me if I am wrong) is that width of the board is more important than the lenght of the board. Should I have another smaller size so that I can go upwind in stronger condition with the current kite setup (cheaper option) or a smaller kite with the current board?

ur board is already plenty small you wont get that much out of an even smaller board. You should be able to ride comfortably powered in 20 knots at your weight on the 133. if I were you I would get a smaller kite. As you gain experience you will find yourself able to ride a much wider range with your current setup and you can use the small kite when it nukes.

if you really want a board that can hold down more wind, you want one about the same size 125-135 but with huge rocker, rocker will just eat up power.

My brother had a 2008 16m Cabrinha SB. Great low wind kite, but as the wind picks up into the range you are talking about, it does start pulling downwind. It isn't your board, what other kites do you have? Try switching to a 12m at 14 to 15 knots.

It's not your board that is the main problem! Either add a 12m kite to your quiver or replace that old 16m bugger all together with something newer that has wider windrange, less bar-pressure and more depower.

Thank you all for your advice and insight and I will give due consideration to your inputs in my next board selection.

BTW, I am using a customized board from Navis Boards.