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What wave oriented windsurf longboards are still being made?

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Created by ejahn > 9 months ago, 13 Jan 2021
ejahn
16 posts
13 Jan 2021 1:25AM
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It looks like the Exocet X-Longboard is discontinued for 2021. Who still makes a high volume (>145L) wave oriented longboard with a fast rocker? I have the carbon Exocet Windsup 10'2" that I am mostly happy with for very light winds (under 12 mph). It planes in about 14 mph wind, but the X-Longboard planed up faster, according to people who have ridden both.
I have no complaints about the Exocet Windsup's wave abilities though. It's super fun for float and ride without slogging up to my knees heading out. And for onshore float and ride, I really like the volume. I'm just wondering if faster wavy longboards are only obtainable from custom shapers now.

philn
919 posts
13 Jan 2021 1:40AM
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That sucks, I didn't realize they had discontinued them.

ejahn
16 posts
13 Jan 2021 2:00AM
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Yeah, it does. I hope they are quietly rolling out something new. Otherwise 112L is their biggest non-windsup wave board.

515
828 posts
26 Jan 2021 11:49AM
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I picked up the old Kona 10'5" 145 liter from a mate who said he would never sell it until he got wind foiling and wing ding addiction issues - his loss my gain
Apparently he previously had the next size down but didn't perform as good.
I've had some good sessions on it and turns like its much smaller.
I know that Exocet dug up the design again but it must have been limited sales and the trend on shorter wider wave boards.

Keep with your 10'2 as its looks like it will get on the plane early especially in onshore.

Nerdburger
NSW, 314 posts
26 Jan 2021 5:30PM
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I had the 10'5" then the mini tanker, both fun light wind options for mild/medium surf. I find now though I can surf or surf till until 10-15 knots then wave sail 100 L and 5.8/5.5 m sail. The mini tanker was super fun, should never have sold it, if they made new one, I'd order tomorrow. Was great east coast days good wave and patchy off shore winds ??

LeeD
3939 posts
27 Jan 2021 6:05AM
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Stick a mast track into a wave SUP.

philn
919 posts
27 Jan 2021 7:57PM
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LeeD said..
Stick a mast track into a wave SUP.


SUP will not plane unless very overpowered wind. Been there done that, switched to the Exocet 10'5 and was muuuuuch happier. But now I've discovered the Starboard Kode 125 L and I haven't used my 10'5 since.

LeeD
3939 posts
28 Jan 2021 2:30AM
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If it's planable...over 16 knots, use your wave board.
5-17, up and down, don't worry about trying to plane going out.

plywoodboy
QLD, 127 posts
21 Feb 2021 8:28AM
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Dare I ask, what about the versatility of the Windsurfer LT?
Just looking at reducing the stuff in my shed.

LeeD
3939 posts
21 Feb 2021 6:49AM
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I would assume a 12' x 30 lbs. longboard as not ideal for lighter wind wavesailing.
As for 120-170 liter freeride, possibly the lack of tail rocker would add challenge once on a wave.
Since jumping is basically out of the equation, what is the need to plane heading out?

Grantmac
2182 posts
21 Feb 2021 7:27AM
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plywoodboy said..
Dare I ask, what about the versatility of the Windsurfer LT?
Just looking at reducing the stuff in my shed.


Only if you consider driving in a straight line to be "wavesailing".
Better off with a big Dyno or similar.

Stev0
419 posts
17 Jun 2021 5:36AM
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515 said..
I picked up the old Kona 10'5" 145 liter from a mate who said he would never sell it until he got wind foiling and wing ding addiction issues - his loss my gain
Apparently he previously had the next size down but didn't perform as good.
I've had some good sessions on it and turns like its much smaller.
I know that Exocet dug up the design again but it must have been limited sales and the trend on shorter wider wave boards.

Keep with your 10'2 as its looks like it will get on the plane early especially in onshore.



That could have been me!? (Greg is that you 515?)

I did indeed get the foiling bug and sold the 10'6 to my mate but the other week we had rare x-off and swell with light winds and I wished I hadn't sold the 10'6!

I have had both the Exocet Mini Tanker 120L and 10'5 145L. The Mini Tanker ended up competing with the 100L FSW board in 15 knots so sold the MT as the FSW was faster to plane and more manoeuvrable. I got the 10'6 for float'n'ride where I don't need to worry about planing and it was a super fun board for riding waves that would be extremely tricky on a waveboard. Like these waves:


I also went slalom racing and won a heat on it by an entire leg of the course! (The wind shifted so the downwind slalom was too broad for the slalom racers and I could fang downwind on the 10'5 Kona haha)

To make up for selling the 10'5 I have just picked up a Carbon Art 110L thruster waveboard. The new breed of high volume waveboards are going to make float'n'ride easier with the performance of a true waveboard. Looking at the lip of the wave on the Kona with about 8' of board sticking out in front of you can be daunting about how the lip smack might go! But the Kona was/is a versatile and fun board.

Awalkspoiled
WA, 510 posts
17 Jun 2021 5:45AM
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How are those big Sealions in this application?

Grantmac
2182 posts
17 Jun 2021 10:15AM
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Awalkspoiled said..
How are those big Sealions in this application?


I know someone who does under chest high light wind side-on with one and it's brilliant. It doesn't plane but it drives upwind slogging really well which is what I want for slog and ride anyways, I don't care about planing off the wave.

Recently I got my hands on a 106L Hypernut 4-in-1 to use for slog and ride (I'm 92kg). I like that it has waveboard footstrap positions.
It's only 2L more than my biggest waveboard but I can easily stand on it vs the logrolling sensation of the waveboard, added bonus I can foil or SUP it.

I haven't actually tried it yet other than a quick flat water paddle but I'll update when I do.

Stev0
419 posts
17 Jun 2021 1:12PM
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A bit off topic but I also had the 106 Starboard Hypernut 4-in-1 and it was a great board for SUP surfing/foiling and Windfoiling. I didn't try wavesailing on it as I had the 10'5 Kona. It was good for foiling in higher winds with a wavesail and stable for SUP foiling. I SUP surfed it only once and it was good at that too but is a small SUP surf board @85kg.

I sold the Hypernut as got into Wingfoiling and realised I was going to focus on learning that rather than windfoiling. (I still have a windfoil race set up so bust that out occasionally). The Hypernut would also be a good Wingfoil board for a lighter learner.

Sideshore
294 posts
16 Feb 2022 5:47AM
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philn said..


LeeD said..
Stick a mast track into a wave SUP.




SUP will not plane unless very overpowered wind. Been there done that, switched to the Exocet 10'5 and was muuuuuch happier. But now I've discovered the Starboard Kode 125 L and I haven't used my 10'5 since.



Hi. I recover this thread as I'm interested in someone who has tested as many as the following light wind wave boards:
- Exocet wave longboards (9-10-11')
- Sealion
- Big regular wave boards like the goya 114, stbd kode 125
- Wave sup with mast base
I even found an old review of Mr WWF Casey about a long 11'8" exocet windsup board with daggerboard with good results in wavesailing reefwarriors.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/118-wind-sup-rocks/

The first three ones get planning. The last one doesn't get planning but can also catch waves by paddling.

The only advantage I could figure out of longboards is much better upwind performance in non planning conditions , and do they get planning earlier in onshore conditions with small sails? Weight and looseness should be worse.

Another possible bizarre advantage of longboards: to prone paddle on the front part of the board with the sail backwards to cross wind shadows like the wingers do?

Maybe Philn could have had enough experience in long and regular wave boards by now?

Thanks.

Awalkspoiled
WA, 510 posts
16 Feb 2022 10:57AM
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I have the 9' Sealion Wings and will post a full review soon. It's superb for slogging out and riding back in, seems to fit right into the wave without getting hung up. It planes and points pretty well considering how much rocker there is - I've ridden it with a 4.2 overpowered up to a 7.5 underpowered. It's big enough that in really strong wind you start to get some wobble just because there' so much surface area up out of the water. with 145 liter volume and 75 cm width it's also good for light-wind freestyle. When fully powered it's actually pretty fast - I've got mine up to 26mph on flat water, but any freeslalom and most freestyle boards would blow it away in a straight line.

They do make a version with double Foil tracks in addition to the outboard US-box twin fins. Mine has a deep Tuttle box, though. With my usual huge 2000cm Taaroa wing it's almost impossible to windfoil - just wants to breach right away because the foil mast is so close to the mastfoot. However, I just got the 1250 wing and now it's really fun foiling - so far only with a 5.7. Jibes easily, pumps up well, likes to be ridden very upright.

I bet it would be an excellent board for learning wingfoiling but haven't started down that road yet.

RichardG
WA, 3754 posts
16 Feb 2022 11:14AM
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plywoodboy said..
Dare I ask, what about the versatility of the Windsurfer LT?
Just looking at reducing the stuff in my shed.




LT while not wave oriented, is good for many things and still owning the lineup in secret spot in Tasmania:

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=609520166306348

LT wavesailing at Lancelin:







OR using the LT in traditional logging mode as shown here by Edoardo Thermes, an exponent of the "Alex Knost school" in a soul arched nose ride, with upraised arm reminiscent of Lance Carson at Malibu:

or SUP exponents...



Windsurf, SUP or Surf it, or Race it or play with it.

AUS 814
NSW, 453 posts
16 Feb 2022 3:35PM
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The rails on the LT are a bit fragile

RichardG
WA, 3754 posts
16 Feb 2022 1:21PM
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AUS 814 said..
The rails on the LT are a bit fragile



Stop worrying and learn to love the LT. Some use rail tape or some don't and just don't worry...enjoy its lightened epoxy styrofoam and not rotomoulded polyethylene/polyurethane. Ding repair is possible as with many boards but many including those in the videos are still using the same boards today including one world champion. Nothing lasts forever !

Loreni
80 posts
16 Feb 2022 10:19PM
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Patrik makes longer boards...check the freeride

Grantmac
2182 posts
17 Feb 2022 2:07AM
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Those videos definitely confirm my statement that if you wish to ride waves in a straight line the LT can technically wavesail. But by that metric so can any large freeride board.

philn
919 posts
17 Feb 2022 2:58AM
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Mucel said..

Maybe Philn could have had enough experience in long and regular wave boards by now?

Thanks.


The major flaw of the Kode 125 is that it has a powerbox center fin which is located to far back, making it stiff to turn. I made a custom 25 cm powerbox wave fin that is pushed right to the front of the powerbox base, which improved the turning immensely. So my comments that follow are with that fin, not the stock fin.

The Exocet 10'5 will glide onto the wave earlier and more easily and in lighter wind than the Kode 125. The longer length also makes it a lot easier to climb over white water when there isn't much wind in the sail. And the more onshore the wind the easier it is to get out on the Exocet 10'5 vs the Kode 125. Once on a wave the performance of the 10'5 is good with the right technique. With commitment it will carve a surprisingly good bottom turn. In light wind onshore conditions it will hold it's speed really really well in a DTL bottom turn. My big complaint is that I often nose dive coming off the lip in steep waves. I don't like to carve way out on the open shoulder, but rather turn as close to the lip or off the lip. I have friends who also ride the Exocet longboards who are not as aggressive in the waves and they don't complain about nose diving like I do.

The Kode 125 bottom turns slightly better than the Exocet 10'5 in all conditions except onshore. The top turn is what gives it the absolute edge over the Exocet in my opinion. No worries about nose diving. Easy to hit the lip, do floaters over sections etc.

For me the choice really comes down to wind strength and wind direction. If cross shore but too light to pump the Kode onto a wave then 10'5 because it will glide onto the wave in ridiculously light conditions. If onshore then 10'5 unless strong enough to plane. If cross shore or cross onshore but enough wind to pump onto a wave then the Kode.

Sideshore
294 posts
17 Feb 2022 5:30AM
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philn said..

Mucel said..

Maybe Philn could have had enough experience in long and regular wave boards by now?

Thanks.



The major flaw of the Kode 125 is that it has a powerbox center fin which is located to far back, making it stiff to turn. I made a custom 25 cm powerbox wave fin that is pushed right to the front of the powerbox base, which improved the turning immensely. So my comments that follow are with that fin, not the stock fin.

The Exocet 10'5 will glide onto the wave earlier and more easily and in lighter wind than the Kode 125. The longer length also makes it a lot easier to climb over white water when there isn't much wind in the sail. And the more onshore the wind the easier it is to get out on the Exocet 10'5 vs the Kode 125. Once on a wave the performance of the 10'5 is good with the right technique. With commitment it will carve a surprisingly good bottom turn. In light wind onshore conditions it will hold it's speed really really well in a DTL bottom turn. My big complaint is that I often nose dive coming off the lip in steep waves. I don't like to carve way out on the open shoulder, but rather turn as close to the lip or off the lip. I have friends who also ride the Exocet longboards who are not as aggressive in the waves and they don't complain about nose diving like I do.

The Kode 125 bottom turns slightly better than the Exocet 10'5 in all conditions except onshore. The top turn is what gives it the absolute edge over the Exocet in my opinion. No worries about nose diving. Easy to hit the lip, do floaters over sections etc.

For me the choice really comes down to wind strength and wind direction. If cross shore but too light to pump the Kode onto a wave then 10'5 because it will glide onto the wave in ridiculously light conditions. If onshore then 10'5 unless strong enough to plane. If cross shore or cross onshore but enough wind to pump onto a wave then the Kode.


Thanks Philn.

One last thing. What about the upwind performance in non planning or very light planning conditions? I guess Exocet 10'5" has better upwind performance but I don't know if it had daggerboard or not. If you go for float & ride with such a long board you could have a daggerboard to arrive to the peak without planning and ensure coming back to the same point. Once you are on the peak you hide the daggerboard to surf. Otherwise Exocet has a little bit smaller board (9'2" x 130) without daggerboard, but don't know if the upwind performance would be better than the kode 125

philn
919 posts
17 Feb 2022 11:06AM
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No daggerboard but because of the long waterline of the Exocet it slogs upwind really well. The Kode is similar to any other short board (ie not as good).

RichardG
WA, 3754 posts
17 Feb 2022 12:14PM
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Grantmac said..
Those videos definitely confirm my statement that if you wish to ride waves in a straight line the LT can technically wavesail. But by that metric so can any large freeride board.


Freeride boards are not typically longboards so your metric is somewhat questionable.

Grantmac
2182 posts
18 Feb 2022 3:26AM
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RichardG said..

Grantmac said..
Those videos definitely confirm my statement that if you wish to ride waves in a straight line the LT can technically wavesail. But by that metric so can any large freeride board.



Freeride boards are not typically longboards so your metric is somewhat questionable.


Yes and they still wavesail better than the LT.

The OP is talking about wavesailing longboards, your video clearly shows the LT doesn't qualify.

RichardG
WA, 3754 posts
18 Feb 2022 12:19PM
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Grantmac said..





RichardG said..






Grantmac said..
Those videos definitely confirm my statement that if you wish to ride waves in a straight line the LT can technically wavesail. But by that metric so can any large freeride board.








Freeride boards are not typically longboards so your metric is somewhat questionable.







Yes and they still wavesail better than the LT.

The OP is talking about wavesailing longboards, your video clearly shows the LT doesn't qualify.






Thanks and your observations are noted, just wondering if you have ever sailed an LT ?

Now my post was in reply to a post from plywood boy so was called up by that.

I hope it helps with the videos showing the lightweight world champion out at Lancelin.

Lightwind wavesailing an LT can be as rewarding as surfing a traditional log, just requires a set of skills walking up and down the board, even cross stepping, pivoting off the tail and fin.

Light wind wave sailing on the Windsurfer LT with Matt Stirling at Cremorne Point, Tasmania in April 2020



Logging at San 'O by Nathan Adams on Almond 9'9" , 2012...the glide and soul of longboard surfing...kind of reflecting for some the stoke of longboard windsurfing...

Grantmac
2182 posts
19 Feb 2022 3:04AM
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Like I said: drive in straight lines.

That isn't what anyone who actually wavesails would consider wavesailing.

I'm not sure why you are pushing the LT on this when it's clearly not suitable. Almost any other freeride windsurfing board would be better.

Sideshore
294 posts
19 Feb 2022 4:43AM
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philn said..
No daggerboard but because of the long waterline of the Exocet it slogs upwind really well. The Kode is similar to any other short board (ie not as good).


Hi. I've seen there are two ways of getting a good longboard for wavesailing. Firstthere are very few original wavesailing longboards such as exocet Xlongboard 10'5". The other way is getting a sup board which works well as windsup in terms of upwind performance and manoeuvrability, and put a mast track on it. It's easier to find windsups, though most of the windsups have lots of rocker so the upwind and planning will not be good. Which are the windsup models which can get planning and upwind? I saw good references of this kind of Sunova Speed and Exocet Evo 9'6". I doubt if Exocet windsup 10'2" would have the right rocker.

Does somebody know any other longboard sup which is flat enough for getting upwind slogging and planning early with a sail?

RichardG
WA, 3754 posts
19 Feb 2022 6:31AM
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Grantmac said..
Like I said: drive in straight lines.

That isn't what anyone who actually wavesails would consider wavesailing.

I'm not sure why you are pushing the LT on this when it's clearly not suitable. Almost any other freeride windsurfing board would be better.



I never pushed the LT simply stated facts please indicate expressly where I have said something inaccurate I note you did not answer my question and I note you keep pushing freeride windsurfing boards which are neither wave oriented nor longboards. I simply answered a question from plywoodboy.



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"What wave oriented windsurf longboards are still being made?" started by ejahn