Help a big guy pick out a big board for big air

[fatkiter]

I have very similar questions as to OP and thought to ask here rather than create a new post:

120 kg almost intermediate:)

I am between Nobile NHP 2017 143x48 or Nobile NHP 2020 142 x43

I read that these boards are good on chop, have good pop and good upwind

2020 model doesn't come in the bigger size like 2017 model.

Anyone has any thoughts or experience with these 2 boards?

Thank

[Herman]

I have a Nobile 143x148 XL. Probably since 2008. It has a nomex core so probably a different construction. I love this board. For a big TT it is good at everything except extended toeside. ( Fine for sliding to toeside before carved turns.). But somebody of your size may well be able to hold a toeside rail at this width. (I ride @ ~100kg) Particulary useful in less than perfect conditions, I will even use it in 30knt gusty onshore conditions and have little trouble holding an edge in the flats between white water steps, and the width allows you to use a small kite that can be worked hard in the lulls; but of course that has nothing much to do with getting big air.

You would have a lot of fun on this board jumping off ramps and it would not be a dud purchase.

However if you are truly seeking big air where you are trying to maximise the preload and you are doing core muscle training to cope with the stresses buy the board which will enable you to confidently hold the edge overpowered on a 9m.

[Kamikuza]

I went with a 142x44 to replace my 140x43 (which replaced a 138x42) and I actually think it's too big. My next TT will probably be a 138 again...

The 142 is fine when you're under- to just-powered but as soon as it starts getting fun -- ie. 25 plus knots on a 12m -- it's gets difficult to hold an edge. Or rather, I remember it being easier to be happily over-powered and still hold an edge for boosting with the 138 or 140.

[Havre]

Might be related to your size?

One of the local spots here is usually quite choppy. I'm no expert so I wouldn't know how it would feel loading up to jump 20 meters, but I can't say I feel like losing my edge on my 140x43.

Then again I'm not sure if there is a universal answer to this. All boards are not equal and there are different personal preferences. I can't help on any of the specific boards mentioned unfortunately.

[badgb21]

116Kg 50+ bad knee - I've sought the same answer for a number of years.
My main board is a C/F Elite 140X42 - Love it! 9m to 13m
Had a couple of higher rocker boards for when my knee is bad. I find these to be power-hungry and not engaging enough.
I started to ration my time on the water and just stick to the C/F

I had a Shinn Bronq 136X42 and this was the closest thing to covering all bases, but was a tad small and need to be very powered on a 12m for it to work.
A great ride though. I'd consider a bigger sized one as my main board once the C/F dies!

Good luck with your search!

[alexeyga]

It’s not the answer you’re looking for, but I’m with stupids who are suggestion smaller boards.

If you want big air – it isn’t a bigger board that you should be after – but a bigger kite. Go for anything with really good high end and low bar pressure. North Orbit for example.

Board-wise, I started back when 135cm was considered a big board for a 200lbs rider… And to this day - that’s just about as long as I want to be boosting of when nicely powered.

If there’s no power to the kite – doesn’t matter how long of a board you’re on – you ain’t doing any big airs.

And when you’re riding well-powered, no board over 142cm will give you the edge hold you’re looking for to boost properly. Not to mention the fact that you aren’t doing your knees any favors by landing big airs on a door.

[McLovin]

Hey SMJ,

I'm akin to the poster that disagrees with everything he hasn't read, classic - but only in that I NEVER LISTEN TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE just as a matter of policy...

I am 125kg in season, a bit more for winter and avid kiter but only going into my 4th season - 20+ years WS before finding the light... and live in the Gorge, will be 50 this year, so kinda fit your profile...

I tend to ride similar to you, love to boost, carve, ride swells and chuck spray etc. don't have a WOO but have had many two story boosts where you think, "whoa I'm UP here..."

Board wise: My fav is my Crazy Fly Raptor - Carbon NEON 140x42 - I use it for 7m, 8m, 10m, 12m it's unquestionably my #1 and you can try to pry it from my cold dead hands someday - the board is SUPER SMOOTH and dances across the swell like no other, I am personally convinced that many of the TT hater's have never been on a truly good TT board - I LOVE IT 1000%

Notably I just got a new friend - the CARVE Imperator 151 v5 for use with my big 14.5m Flite - Yes there are lots of light wind days in the Gorge, well a few anyway. Will have to report in on it's usefulness later, but super stoked to have a big board with rocker and so light in the all carbon mode to replace my 1st learner CF All-Around 145x48 woodie which used to be my light wind option.

Hope that helps - once we kill this virus, love to share a 35mph gorge day, does make for some nice Airs

Mc

[Blackened]

116Kg 50+ bad knee - I've sought the same answer for a number of years.
My main board is a C/F Elite 140X42 - Love it! 9m to 13m
Had a couple of higher rocker boards for when my knee is bad. I find these to be power-hungry and not engaging enough.
I started to ration my time on the water and just stick to the C/F

Good luck with your search!

You're on a CF Elite with bad knees? Jesus f***.

[badgb21]

116Kg 50+ bad knee - I've sought the same answer for a number of years.
My main board is a C/F Elite 140X42 - Love it! 9m to 13m
Had a couple of higher rocker boards for when my knee is bad. I find these to be power-hungry and not engaging enough.
I started to ration my time on the water and just stick to the C/F

Good luck with your search!

You're on a CF Elite with bad knees? Jesus f***.

Riding around on the C/F isn't too bad, though the Solent chop can aggravate a bit.
The problem for me is having a session with it and not jumping, which is very difficult to resist
It's 5 years old and love it!
The landings upset my knee. It used to be some Nurofen and it'd be ok by mid-week.
Age has kindly made my knee easier to aggravate and longer to heal. Resulting in less and less time on the water.
Just had an MRI and partial re-surface of my left knee probably next winter.

[Kamikuza]

Might be related to your size?

One of the local spots here is usually quite choppy. I'm no expert so I wouldn't know how it would feel loading up to jump 20 meters, but I can't say I feel like losing my edge on my 140x43.

Then again I'm not sure if there is a universal answer to this. All boards are not equal and there are different personal preferences. I can't help on any of the specific boards mentioned unfortunately.

Maybe.

I think I've come around to Toby's way of thinking on this... although my reasoning for choosing the bigger TT was for getting through the inconsistent wind and chop we have here... but now I've pretty much given up riding the TT here -- I think maybe one session last year, the rest were foil

"Back home", there's the estuary which is mostly flat so ok from 18 knots, or the beach -- which I'll only ever go to if it's 25 knots or more and cross shore.

When the wind really picks up and the kite is zinging, I'm having issues with the board, loading up and holding it... which I put down to the greater area of the bigger board.

Of course, I could just be out of TT practice