Truth about directional boards...

[marypoppins]

Is it true that with a directional board you can go upwind better and use a size smaller kite?

I'm progressing on a twin tip and browsing different forums to get some handy hints about coping with waves etc and going upwind, I came across this directional debate with no clear outcome.

The idea seems to be that because you are riding the larger fins rather that the rail you need to be less powered up and can take some de stress out of de body?

Are there specific places where these boards have to be used; ie would they be applicable to conditions like Shoreham with a lot of chop, a bit of swell and a few waves depending on the day? I have certainly not seen anyone riding a directional in these parts, is there a reason for that or is it just a trend thing?

Questions, questions......any answers?

[zerogee]

In my experience, yes. I have been riding directionals for 7 years. I have owned and tried many twins over those years and prefer the ride and feel of a directional. I guess I'm a surfer at heart. I ride my directional in everything from flat to chop to waves found on our local lakes from 10-25+ knots. On average I can out point any rider on a twin by 5-10 degrees.

 

That said, like twintips no 2 directionals are the same. Some have a better ride, some go upwind better, some are a compromise. I have only ever had a one board quiver, except when experimenting with twintips.

 

Twinnies are sooooo old school

[too much wind]

Generally yes directionals go upwind way better than twin tips. As for using a smaller kite that is entirely a factor of board size and board speed and is not down to whether or not it is directional. Fast boards will allow a kite to generate more apparent wind by travelling faster and hence you can get away with a smaller kite. A bigger board with more volume and or planning area will get on the plane with less power.

Personally i like to ride all kinds of different boards, mutants, twinnies, directionals as just riding directionals is sooooo yesterday!

[harry_a]

would a 5"8 naish sky pirate be worth a look at... its a newer one with 2 straps and carbon fins

 

i need something for when its light with my 15 and for riding some small waves

[marypoppins]

What are the determining factors in the selection of a directional board? Is it mainly down to rider size? For instance a good alround twintip size for an average sized rider of 12 st in most conditions seems to be 135 x 40 or there abouts.

[CoyoteBoy]

But does riding directional mean no transitions, stop-go at the end of a run,no toe-side fun....?

[KiteItRight]

its quite amazing how far upwind u can go on a directional 2 tacs and there is no one behind you

[johnong]

But does riding directional mean no transitions, stop-go at the end of a run,no toe-side fun....?

 

depends what directional you are riding... a mutant like a naish alien can be air jibed / ridden toeside. A surf / skim can be jibed / ridden toeside.

If you don't jibe, one leg can ache a bit after a while though.

[harry_a]

no one know the answer to my question?

[zerogee]

But does riding directional mean no transitions, stop-go at the end of a run,no toe-side fun....?

 

Transitions on a directional are only limited by the riders skill and imagination.

[too much wind]

would a 5"8 naish sky pirate be worth a look at... its a newer one with 2 straps and carbon fins

 

i need something for when its light with my 15 and for riding some small waves

 

Seeing your age i'm guessing your quite light a 5ft 8 directional would probably be ok. There are lots of different sky pirates boards and i am unsure as to which one you mean. Post up a link to the board and should be able to give a better answer.

As zerogee says there are many types of transistions to be done with a directional. Aerial gybes for one and then you can try strapless as well.

Rider size can play a part in directional choice but personally i think it's more about getting on one and giving it a go. Not all directionals are light wind boards. The 5ft11 slingshot srt which ive never heard anyone say a bad thing about is not a light wind board despite its length. It is supposed to be an awesome wave riding board.

[marypoppins]

At last.....spoke to somebody yesterday evening out riding a direction. Wind was a bit lacking and most on twin tips seemed to be struggling to get upwind but this chap seemed to be finding it easy.

Turned out he had a standard NSP surfboard 5ft6ins long modded to take footstraps and two areas with grip material glued to the deck for when gybing.

I was most suprised that the edges were totally round so much of the grip must have come from the standard fins.

Anyone know what sort of edge the "proper" directionals and mutants have?

[madadz]

[quote=marypoppins;153642

Turned out he had a standard NSP surfboard 5ft6ins long modded to take footstraps and two areas with grip material glued to the deck for when gybing.

I was most suprised that the edges were totally round so much of the grip must have come from the standard fins.

Anyone know what sort of edge the "proper" directionals and mutants have?

 

edges as per surfboard! but kiteboards are made stronger to withstand the impact of landings, in general a surfboard would not be strong enough..

[too much wind]

Surfboards are more than strong enough. All that needs reinforcing are the areas around where the footstrap inserts are put in if you want to use footstraps. Also the nsp boards which are made from epoxy resin are very durable if not a bit heavy.

As for what kinds of edges, mutants are generally quite sharp but they do still vary quite alot and directionals are as varied as surfboards are.

Soft round rails are give good grip in the waves and will slow the board down as the water grips the rails whereas sharper rails will allow the water to release faster giving the board a faster more skatey feel to it.

Personally i prefer a thinner more rounded rail as it still bites in well allowing the board to hold plenty of power but still retains the grip for carving in the surf.

[Paulo1599968582]

It is true that more often, directionals offer better upwind and lightwind performance, this is usually because they are bigger and offer more planing surface. ALSO, you control direction more with the fins, rather than pressing an edge into the water and causing a lot more friction.

 

There are many types of Directional, Long, Short, Wave Specific, Surfboard, Three footstraps, Two Footstraps, UnStrapped. Basically there is a lot to play with and experiment with, SO if you like the idea of riding directions, can be bothered to put the time in and learn to Jibe, then I would say that you could have years of fun ahead trying to find out which type you like best.

 

As for me, I occasionally ride my mates directional, mainly on lightwind days when I can't get much out of my twintip. It is fun for a while - esp doing 360's or backloops with a 7 footer, but I can't Jibe, and MUCH prefer riding my twintip. That is my personal preference. If I lived by the sea and had much more time to practice, wsp in waves, then I would probably pull my finger out and learn to ride a directional properly.

 

Some of the new twintips also offer excellent low wind capability now.

[zerogee]

It is true that more often, directionals offer better upwind and lightwind performance, this is usually because they are bigger and offer more planing surface. ALSO, you control direction more with the fins, rather than pressing an edge into the water and causing a lot more friction.

 

There are many types of Directional, Long, Short, Wave Specific, Surfboard, Three footstraps, Two Footstraps, UnStrapped. Basically there is a lot to play with and experiment with, SO if you like the idea of riding directions, can be bothered to put the time in and learn to Jibe, then I would say that you could have years of fun ahead trying to find out which type you like best.

 

As for me, I occasionally ride my mates directional, mainly on lightwind days when I can't get much out of my twintip. It is fun for a while - esp doing 360's or backloops with a 7 footer, but I can't Jibe, and MUCH prefer riding my twintip. That is my personal preference. If I lived by the sea and had much more time to practice, wsp in waves, then I would probably pull my finger out and learn to ride a directional properly.

 

Some of the new twintips also offer excellent low wind capability now.

 

 

and don't forget the skimboard, it's a directional too.

 

Jibing is really quite easy. I am not sure where the idea that they are hard came from. Perhaps from windsurfers who had a hard time mastering them??? IMO, jibing a windsurfer was much harder to learn. Learning to jibe kiting is NO harder than any other trick. The problem is there is very little info (video, print, lessons) to learn to do them.

[stueyboy]

So, I learned on a directional (Cabrinha I think) which was good. Just been out last weekend and the wind was light making it difficult for me on my twin tip but my mate was out riding strappless on his 7ft surfboard and going great guns, riding over waves and all sorts so that could be an alternative. Needs some skill I would think.

[ShapeShifter]

Is it true that with a directional board you can go upwind better and use a size smaller kite?

I'm progressing on a twin tip and browsing different forums to get some handy hints about coping with waves etc and going upwind, I came across this directional debate with no clear outcome.

The idea seems to be that because you are riding the larger fins rather that the rail you need to be less powered up and can take some de stress out of de body?

Are there specific places where these boards have to be used; ie would they be applicable to conditions like Shoreham with a lot of chop, a bit of swell and a few waves depending on the day? I have certainly not seen anyone riding a directional in these parts, is there a reason for that or is it just a trend thing?

Questions, questions......any answers?

 

A directional can go upwind better than a TT due to the ouline shape of the board, the finage and the volume. However , upwind ability is a factor in the rider.

 

You can use a directional anywhere with water deep enough for the fins you have selected to adorn it with. Flat water chop and waves - its handles them all.

 

The thing I like about the directionals is the riding style they give you as a result of the outline, the need to learn upwind toeside and the fact that there is less board between your back foot and the water than a TT. This results in being able to look styleish on a wave without really knowinf how to ride waves properly, and hence way styleish when you sus waves out.

 

you can carve faster and with a smaller truning radius that most TT's making for snappier turnings on the face of a wave.

 

I'vee been riding a 60/40 made by colin M (lost cause) for 3 yearts now and am about to ask him to make me its successor.

 

I cant ride TT's anymore !

[harry_a]

want to sell it to me cheap then ?

[ShapeShifter]

you wouldnt want it mate, I've near killed it after 3 yrs . corners are shot and the rail is near the foam.

[harry_a]

ah, never mind then

 

its really hard finding a summer board at the moment... cant find much

[ShapeShifter]

I have a jimmy lewis 133 model 3 for sale. It has the famous dominatrix hull too.

[harry_a]

thats the same size as the one ive got!

 

ive found a 5"2 TT directional (like the flash austin one), would that do the job?