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Windsurf Board Size Chart


You have finally decided to buy yourself a new or your first windsurf board and sail. The problem is: what size? Which board and sail?
Choose the board that fits three important issues: your weight, your level of experience in windsurfing and the wind speed of your local spot.

There are also other important variable: the width and volume of the board, the material in which the board is made (Epoxy, Fiberglass or Poly), the type of sail (Soft, Raft or Camber-induced) and its material (Dacron, Mylar or Monofilm).

Remember, bigger windsurf boards - in terms of volume (litres)- are easier for beginners. Thinner windsurf boards, similar to short surfboards, are more competitive. Finally, lighter winds require bigger sails. Now, check these windsurfing tables:

Windsurf Boards: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels

RYA has developed a fast formula for you to choose the best windsurf board for your sailing needs:

Weight of Rig, Board and Clothing in Kg (around 30kg) + Your Body Weight (in kg) x 2 = Volume of the Board in Litres

To convert Kg to Lbs, note that 1kg equals 2,2 lbs.
To convert Meters to Feet, note that 1m equals 3,3ft.

 
Beginner Board Your Weight
  50 Kgs 60 Kgs 70 Kgs 80 Kgs 90 Kgs 100 Kgs 110 Kgs 120 Kgs
Volume (litres) 145 160 175 190 205 220 235 250
Width (cm) 72 78 83 89 94 100 105 111
Length (cm) 285 292 299 306 313 319 326 333
                 
Intermediate Board 50 Kgs 60 Kgs 70 Kgs 80 Kgs 90 Kgs 100 Kgs 110 Kgs 120 Kgs
                 
Volume (litres) 95 108 121 134 147 160 173 186
Width (cm) 70 73 75 77 79 81 83 85
Length (cm) 261 265 269 273 278 182 286 290

How to pick the right windsurf board?

The original Windsurfer was a heavy windsurf board. Meanwhile, the composite industry has evolved and develops light-weight materials that can be found in both beginner and advanced windsurf boards.

Today, a modern sail board can be made of Expanded Polystyrene Foam, Epoxy, Fiberglass, PVC or Carbon Sandwich.

Usually, wave and speed windsurfers prefer lighter boards made of Carbon Sandwich, while beginners kick off their windsurfing experience with heavier and larger boards.

There are four main categories in windsurfing: slalom, speed, freestyle and wave windsurfing. Each specialty demands specific windsurf boards.

Windsurf boards are selected by their volume (in litres) and length (in centimeters). High volume boards offer stability and flotation. They are also used in light wind conditions.

Speed windsurfing requires short and light windsurf boards. It's harder to sail in these boards.

SAIL CHART

Wind Speed in Knots
Your Weight (kg) 5 7 10 13 15 20 25 30 35 40
50 12,5 m2 10,4 m2 6,4 m2 5,8 m2 4,8 m2 3,6 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
55 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 7,1 m2 5,8 m2 4,8 m2 3,6 m2 3,3 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
60 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 7,8 m2 6,4 m2 5,3 m2 4 m2 3,6 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
65 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 8,6 m2 7,1 m2 5,8 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
70 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 9,4 m2 7,1 m2 6,4 m2 4,8 m2 4 m2 3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
75 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 10,4 m2 7,8 m2 6,4 m2 4,8 m2 4 m2 3,3 m2 3 m2 3 m2
80 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 10,4 m2 8,6 m2 7,1 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2 3,3 m2 3 m2
85 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 8,6 m2 7,8 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2 3,3 m2 3 m2
90 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 9,4 m2 7,8 m2 5,8 m2 4,8 m2 4 m2 3,6 m2 3 m2
95 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 9,4 m2 8,6 m2 6,4 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2 3,3 m2
100 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 10,4 m2 9,4 m2 6,4 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2 4 m2 3,3 m2
105 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 9,4 m2 7,1 m2 5,8 m2 4,8 m2 4 m2 3,6 m2
110 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 10,4 m2 7,1 m2 5,8 m2 4,8 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2
115 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 7,8 m2 6,4 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2 3,6 m2
120 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 12,5 m2 11,4 m2 7,8 m2 6,4 m2 5,3 m2 4,4 m2  4 m2

How to pick the right windsurf sail?

The most common windsurfing sails are made of Dacron, Monofilm and Mylar.

A windsurf sail should be prepared to challenge strong winds, so it requires elasticity, strength and durability. A stretch resistant and lightweight sail will perform better and requires less repairs.

Dacron usually is applied in sails for beginners. This material is light and cheap.

Mylar is a coated form of Dacron. It holds its shape better, but is subject to delamination over time. To strengthen areas of the sail, it is often used Kevlar mesh.

Monofilm is the lastest windsurf hype in the sails' market because it holds the shape better than all other materials. The single layer of plastic also allows good visibility. Monofilm is getting very popular in windsurfing.

There are three types of sails: Soft, Raft or Camber-induced.

Learn to windsurf in two hours, here.
Take a look at the best anemometers in the world, here.
Learn how to make your own windsurfing sail, here.
Discover how to rig a windsurfing sail properly, here.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 November 2012 16:58