Does board volume still matter for water starts?

[slowboat]

Now that many, including learners are using high lift wings, it seems that bigger boards are just harder to handle and position and do not really help much. Even in underpowered water starts (not extreme light winds but just trying to use a smaller kite), I find that what matters most is how quickly I can get my wing to lift my board off the water, and a larger, heavier board seems detrimental. I know PF will disagree, how about others? For those who still like volume for lighter wind days, how much volume?

[freotilo]

I started on a 35 l slingshot converter and sold it after a season , since then I changed to the space skate wing and simply mounted it on an old twin tip and wondered if it would even float the foil, turns out I can even sit on it with 8o kg comfortably for relaunch and if need be I could paddle on it for self rescue which never happened to me

even when sitting on the board while riding I feel like the only thing im missing is stiffness in the nose and and more nose scoop, I never found myself missing the volume and I think technique and a big wing are all u ever need in normal conditions and myself and most better riders that I hear from prefer low volume for more freestyle minded riding which is all im interested in

[Peter_Frank]

I dont disagree - a heavier board is no good

Size matters hugely in marginal winds, but that was not your question.

But at my mediocre level where I sometimes get down on the surface in transitions, even up to medium winds 8-9 knots (lots of wind for foiling), volume and size has huge benefits IMO.

The important thing is, that if you make a board with more volume, same size, it can be even lighter and also superstiff, OR, you can make it bigger and same weight and still a lot stiffer.

Stiffness means everything IMO, and lightweight is key, especially if a bigger board - not so important with really short boards, where it doesnt matter much.

When sufficient wind, lots of wind actually, from 10 knots, the smaller the board, the better.

PF

[slowboat]

I dont disagree - a heavier board is no good

Size matters hugely in marginal winds, but that was not your question.

But at my mediocre level where I sometimes get down on the surface in transitions, even up to medium winds 8-9 knots (lots of wind for foiling), volume and size has huge benefits IMO.

The important thing is, that if you make a board with more volume, same size, it can be even lighter and also superstiff, OR, you can make it bigger and same weight and still a lot stiffer.

Stiffness means everything IMO, and lightweight is key, especially if a bigger board - not so important with really short boards, where it doesnt matter much.

When sufficient wind, lots of wind actually, from 10 knots, the smaller the board, the better.

PF

Sorry, I didn't word my question well. Can we leave weight out of it and discuss volume? To help touchdowns, what do you think minimum vol is? (I understand there are many board factors besides volume, but it is an important one.)

[grigorib]

You got your point right, I agree.
One thing to notice though is volume might be detrimental for strapless waterstarts. Thin boards bite into water deeper making it easier to have your feet placed.
I expect that very soon we’ll see more boards with thicker lengthwise “spine” and “twintip thin” rails, especially in pocketboard category.

[jakemoore]

I think a no volume board is an easier waterstart especially in light winds.

For touchdowns especially in chop I like my board with volume better. But I don’t think it’s the volume that helps but rather the shape of the bottom that gives a gentle touchdown.

In the lightest winds if I touch down and come to a stop during a foot switch I like the no volume board again. Once it sinks 8 inches the balance and footswich becomes easier. And once the kite is moving I’m up on board and then foil quite soon.

Most of my foiling is on a 900 cm2 wing, mostly underpowered with the kite.

[slowboat]

I think a no volume board is an easier waterstart especially in light winds.

For touchdowns especially in chop I like my board with volume better. But I don’t think it’s the volume that helps but rather the shape of the bottom that gives a gentle touchdown.

In the lightest winds if I touch down and come to a stop during a foot switch I like the no volume board again. Once it sinks 8 inches the balance and footswich becomes easier. And once the kite is moving I’m up on board and then foil quite soon.

Most of my foiling is on a 900 cm2 wing, mostly underpowered with the kite.

This makes sense. For gentle touchdowns, is the right rocker most important?

[SENDIT!]

I think that if you are heavy, like I am, a no volume board is very difficult to get up and going. While I was in the Bahamas this year at the Cabrinha dealer meeting, I had a chance to first try the Double Agent, then the X-Breed Foil board. The winds were pretty light (I was on a 17 Contra in about 10-12 mph) and I couldn't even ever get up and going on the Double Agent. It just didn't have the volume necessary to support me after the initial dive/upstroke where I was struggling to get going. I shifted over to the X-Breed Foil and I got up immediately and every time thereafter. I really think that's the main reason I'd want to have some volume versus one that doesn't. If I wasn't 235 pies or lived someplace windy, well, then maybe it wouldn't matter.

[TomW]

The thing is. With a bigger wing like the moses 633, if the kite will lift you out of the water easily, then it's really easy to pop up to flying directly. If you're a noob, it might take some practice, but not as much as for example learning a flying footswitch.
I'm on a 120cm board and it's not feeling small.

[plummet]

I personally see zero need for volume. However in ultralight winds additional surface area would be of benefit.

Oh, Maybe one use for volume could be floatation if the wind dies and you want to use the board as a floatation device.