EXOCET 2009 : WINDSURFING BOARDS

	Post number : #1
	Topic :	Exo Wave 75
	Date :	11/9/2005 7:27:21 PM Author : Cal Johnson
		Hello there. I live in Portland, Oregon, and do all my sailing on my 120L Speedslider in the Gorge, sailing everything from 7.6m to 5.2m. I bought three Windwing Sails this year, which my wife and I both love. The smallest is a 5.6 and I've sailed that setup in some realy windy conditions (other guys were on Open Ocean boards and between 4.1 4.4). Towards the end of this season I discovered the joys on jumping, and so for next season I will purchase a true small board. I was going to go with the Exo Wave 75, and expect to be sailing it with sails between 5.2 and 3.5. Some local here say "don't go too small (I weigh about 180lbs) but what concerns me about going to a 85L board is that when it gets to windy for my Speedslider, it tends to be REALLY windy, so that volume and floatation are just not as much of an issue as control. I have a cheap old HT glass board that I've used in 3.7 - 4.4 conditions, and I found it pretty hairy to keep under control. Board just seemed all over the place and not dialed in. Odd thing is, I can go down to my smallest fin and 5.2 sail on my Speedslider, and still feel very confident in almost the same conditions. Then it just gets to fricken windy and I can feel the board getting pushed around by the wind. Anyone tried the Exo Wave 75? Is this a good choice for me in the Gorge? I'm just worried that an 85L will be just ever slighty too much volume for those nuking days. Thanks.




	Post number : #2
	Date :	11/10/2005 5:08:22 AM Author : Jeffrey Paillon
		I have the original wave 85 and sail it on the windiest days here in Rio Vista, CA. It behaves well down to a 4.5 (ezzy). I would like to have the 75 for the all out nuking days, but I am afraid that I wouldn't use the board but once a year. I say get the 75 because, these boards plane early for their volume and carry hull speed well through lulls. Jeff




	Post number : #3
	Date :	11/10/2005 6:47:39 PM Author : Cal Johnson
		Thanks Jeff. I think I will go with the 75 because I want to make sure I don't have to get another board when it gets really windy. It seems at the Gorge that its either really good 6.2-5.6, or just full out nuking. I've had a ton of fun this last season on my Speedslider II 120L, though I've also been told by a lot of people "it's not a Gorge board". But then guys with 95-100L boards often end up slogging while I'm still having fun. The Speedslider is such an incredibly versitile board, I can't say enough good things about it. Hope the Exo Wave is as much fun! Cheers.




	Post number : #4
	Date :	11/10/2005 7:31:57 PM Author : WARDOG
		Hi Cal, I've hooked a few Gorge guys up with the older OWave II 75 and they love it...they are advanced sailors... My thoughts for you bounce between the ExoWave 85...OWave II 85, or the UWave II 78... Here are a few pics of the ExoWave 85... http://surfingsports.com/images/exo_wave_85_nose.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exo_wave_85_deck.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exo_wave_85_bottom.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exo_wave_85_volume.jpg Here are a few pics of the UWave II 78... http://surfingsports.com/images/exocet_uw78_2005.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exocet_uw78_1.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exocet_uw78_2.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exocet_uw78_3.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/exocet_uw78_4.jpg OWave II 85: http://www.surfingsports.com/exocet_owave.asp http://www.surfingsports.com/baja_images/la_ventana_deb2.jpg http://www.surfingsports.com/baja_images/la_ventana_deb3.jpg http://www.surfingsports.com/baja_images/la_ventana_deb4.jpg http://www.surfingsports.com/baja_images/la_ventana_deb5.jpg You would ride the OWave II 85 and/or the new ExoWave 85 much more than the 75 liter version...we've ridden it down into 4.2m2 weather...and up into 6.2m2 weather...so it has good range... Plus, volume is your friend...the Gorge is gusty and it's freshwater... Additionally, I think this is your first true sinker...so err on the side of volume... You can always calm a board down with a smaller fin...many folks in the Gorge like my High Wind Wave... http://www.surfingsports.com/wardog_fin_designs.asp You never really want more than a 30 liter differential between boards...let alone a 40 liter differential, if you went all the way down to the ExoWave 75... If you really wanted a smaller board than 85 liters, I'd opt for the UWave 78... My wife loves hers and we have numerous other sailors on it with happy feet... You could always pick up a used glass wave board for those nuke days... They stick to the water pretty well when it's blowin' smoke... WARDOG http://surfingsports.com




	Post number : #5
	Date :	11/11/2005 12:44:15 AM Author : John I
		I'm 195 lbs and sailed the O-Wave 85 in the gorge down to the 4.7 Charge ridiculously over powered at Rufus. Some gorge types were on 60 liters and 2.7's slogging then planing while I was planing all the time and never worried about the slam factor. The 75 will be good. Within the Exo/Orig lines, an 85 is all I really ever want to take there anymore. Although, the Cross 90 is heavenly there. That may become my new gorge board. Early to plane without the early to slam that usually goes along with it. Turns on the backside style wave moves as good as any waver. Accomodates 6.7 VMG and down for most. I've even forced a bigger sail on it that I promised to Steve I wouldn't say...




	Post number : #6
	Date :	11/11/2005 8:00:47 PM Author : Cal Johnson
		Wow! Thanks for all the input everyone, and the pics Wardog. I'll probably risk going with the 75L and if its too small, just hand it over to my wife and pick up an 85L for myself. It gets tough to make a choice, because while I appreciate the comments about volume, I find that when I'm going out with my 4.4 or 3.7 with my used HT glass sinker, lack of volume just isn't a factor. Maybe I'll see if I can try an 85L before I purchase. I just want a small enough board so that I can try out places like Swell and the Wall without having too much volume. Thanks again everyone, great to see so much input. Cal



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