bragnouff wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:22 am
I guess the foil underneath also dictates the threshold of gains and diminishing returns. Or maybe I haven't tried a good tiny board yet, that would make me revise my opinion on swing weight. I'd have to try your 110 when you're allowed to come over... Anyway my point is that once your swing weight is contained and feels manageable (according to rider's weight, height and stance), and once it fits easily in the car, then going smaller doesn't seem to really provide tangible benefits, while losing some points on quite a few other fronts: light wind, forgiveness to sloppy riding or to messy conditions, ability to rescue and paddle back to shore, ability to surf foil on it, ability to wingfoil on it (working on it), ...
And since we're all different in terms of requirements and local conditions, it's kind of hard to come up with a rule that works for everyone. There's plenty to do already with a reasonably sized foil under a reasonably sized board.
I'd finish on a note, that foiling seems to exacerbate the gear-freak-ness that resides within us, and at some stage, it's probably best to not think too much about the gear and spend more time on the water instead.
If you notice small differences, small differences will be noticeable to you, and if you think a bigger board will provide more of a margin, then you'll be happier with a bigger board and live with or not even notice the sluggish handling.
I don't see any losses between 145x48 30L and 110x45 19L that are severe enough to outweigh the benefits to feeling and response the smaller board gives ... and going from 125 to 110 is better again with no measurable loss.
So I agree that individual needs determine gear choices... but the smaller board is the better choice
... yeah, shut up and ride, as Adrian would say to me!