For the same wetted surface, assuming you can angle that floaty board as much as necessary, it will have the same benefits you describe for your low volume board in terms of starting on the foil. You're not losing anything on that front having some volume in the board. But on the other hand, that extra volume that you're pushing into the water will create an opposite reaction and contribute in making you a bit lighter, and therefore contributes to lowering the overall forces required to get you going. I guess drawing some vectors would help...tautologies wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:17 pm
Having a low volume board allows you to be in the water and so as you angle the board and drift with the wind, the foil will create a bit of lift for the board earlier which allows for a tad more pressure on the kite and and lift from the board. Basically you might be more efficient in terms of generating apparent wind and apparent lift from the foil as the water starts moving across the foil. If you are standing on the floaty board you will miss this and the pressure on the kite will decrease. Obviously I do understand you can angle a floaty board as well..but then why have the volume? ....and some will be able to stand on small board...even when the board submerges to start creating lift...there is a tradeoff point a place which I have no idea where is.
Of course the main reason for me to choosing a small board is I just find it easier and simpler to deal with both for travel and for keeping around.
Then inbetween power strokes while you're moving but not yet planning, that volume will keep you from fully sinking again and slowing down to 0.
Once the wind is decent enough (which is just a couple of kts more than in this marginal lower threshold scenario), volume will not matter much anymore and actually will be a nuisance more than anything the stronger the wind gets.