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using a windsurf board as a light ( xlight ) wind cruiser ?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:21 pm
by mattthieu
here is a disturbing question.

i was on a spot yesterday and, could not get started with my 17m and 150 x 50 board.

then came a guy with a 8 feet alaia and he got out and played.

as i can not chose witch day's are off and have to kite whenever i'm off ( cant chose the wind ).

i'm to lazy to get an alaia monster building.

i'm to poor to get a SUP.

i was wondering, how about using an old ( and cheap ) wind surf board as light wind board.

there are out there from 65 l to 140 l, so, lot's of float, there made for sailing obviusly and to have resistance against the wind to be able to tack, why not using them.

as NO ONE ever mentionned it ( well never seen it ) i wonder, is there a BIG issue i didi not think of ?

Re: using a windsurf board as a light ( xlight ) wind cruise

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:30 pm
by noel
No one talks about it because it doesn't work. Fin placement it wrong and windsurfers are not meant to be edged. Windsurfers are designed to use with a mast to help steer and power the center of the board and steer with the back unlike a surfboard. A small waveboard with side fins may work a little but as most that have tried it don't bother after a short while.

Get a cheap surfboard or skimboard off Craigslist.

Re: using a windsurf board as a light ( xlight ) wind cruise

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:35 pm
by BWD
Issues
Too much volume
Extremely boxy rails = hard to turn without tons of pressure, bounce out etc
Heavy
Mostly single fin, which most find awful for kiting
Etc
Tried surfing on a windsurf, not good for that either unless you use a windsurf sail...
People have chopped the tails off them to make into pseudo race boards though...
Alaia is really easy to build for <$100 though. Make it of 2 ply layers with a little nose rocker and it will be easier to ride, add tt fins to tail if you don't like the sliding...

Re: using a windsurf board as a light ( xlight ) wind cruise

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:14 pm
by SupaEZ
mattthieu wrote: i was wondering, how about using an old ( and cheap ) wind surf board as light wind board.
Has anyone tried to build a well and install a daggerboard to give the board lateral resistance

Biggest problem as explained is "the float" of such boards and lack of efficiency in low winds....
....when use for the purpose of kitesurfing...because of wimpy back fin(s)

I remember my first "one design windsurfer" in 1976....(it had a wimpy fin)
Going upwind with dagger board down and on beam reach positioned half way up
My favorite thing to do was to take it out all the way on a broad reach in medium to higher winds
I would just put it over my shoulder with the help of the daggerboard strap

The water would "jet" right out of the daggerboard well like a geyser !!
What a sight it was and a rush :thumb:

So why not have LW directional kitesurfboards like that :?:

Already you have foilboards that draw 3 ft++ below the surfboard..and it is not retractable

Has anyone tried that approach yet :idea: .....this may be the "next" big thing :wink:

https://www.google.com/search?q=windsur ... 80&bih=949

:thanx: :surf: :sun: :pump: :cheers:

(Flysurfer has that concept already on the heelside rail of twin tip for efficiency)

Re: using a windsurf board as a light ( xlight ) wind cruise

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:02 pm
by dblass
Don't ask me about the video, I just remembered watching this on youtube once.