Is there optimum volume of the board for specific weight of the sailor?
I am 82kg and in recent years downgraded from 160L to 130L then 110 and now sit on JP 92L.
I think I reached my safe limit for average wind conditions.
I still could use 7.4 sail when needed, but I don't think will be able to up-haul it anymore.
I feel more comfort on smaller board in extreme above 30kn winds but for everyday 92L seem to be optimal.
How this formula work for you?
Weight + 10 kg?
I,ve always used the weight or +10% theory/litre but only for waveboards. The way boards are these days I dont see a problem in having something that will float you for other kinds of sailing
Heard it said that same number as body weight plus 20 Litres is optimum for 'average' conditions, though for me it appears to be somewhere between +10L to +20L. I weigh around 73-75kg and currently use only a 93L Fanatic Hawk for local conditions up to around 25-30 knots, though I think a freeride/FSW board around 85L would cover my range of wind/water conditions as well as current sail range better at my weight.
I just realized that buoyancy is not this as board volume!
My older already JP 92L weight possibly 7-8kg by itself.;
So in fact I have only 2kg buoyancy without event taking rigging into account.
Overall my total balance is negative ~10kg with my 7.4m2 sail then.
Since I don't want to back to my 110L the only way to improve this balance is to loose 5-10 kg and am happy to do just that.
Sadly the wind is rarely this winter on G.C.
It does depend somewhat on the type of boards you use. I'm 90kg and my most used board is my 90L slalom, it works from 6.2m to 7.8m sail. I prefer the lowest volume I can get away with. I have 5 boards and 4 are below 94L in volume.
You can also have a larger volume board which is narrower and easy to handle in rough conditions.
I have read on this forum that your weight is relative to board volume depending on the conditions. If you are sailing in light winds with a bigger sail and going through lulls then rig for the lulls on the basis of sailor weight plus 20-25 = board volume (therefore is you weigh 80Kg you would take out a 100-105L board). If the conditions are big then you will rig a smaller, lighter sail and not need a big floaty board so you would take out a board of volume equal to your weight (therefore if you are 80kg you would take out a 80L board). Hope this helps.
