125L or 135L

Question
I'm 85kg and ride an old AHD board 283 - 135L (2yrs sailing) doing well with harness but getting problems to go into footstraps (always going out of wind line) and trying hard but no waterstart yet!!!...I would like to go for a new/modern board, little bit shorter and wider, I'm thinking about Mistral SL, not sure about volume...125L or 135L?? Have been sailing both strong and light winds. Would like to hear from you...tks!!

Answer
Hey Mauricio,

There are a couple things you can do about getting into the footstraps. First, bear off the wind a bit and ease your feet back until just in front of the straps. Then bend your knees and hang off the harness. Shift your weight slightly to the rear foot and slip the front foot back and into the strap. Pressure both legs and get the board moving faster and back off wind a bit. Now hang from the harness again but putting your weight on the front foot and slip the back foot into the rear strap. Shift your weight out from the board and start powering up your legs and the sail as your speed increases. When you are coming in to stop, back foot out first and then the front.

For waterstarting, check out windsurfingmag.com under instruction for some good tips. Also look into buying a video for waterstarts and jibes. Peter Hart, Alan Cadiz, & Dasher all have some great videos for all levels of sailing.

As for a newer board, you would probably do well with a newer board. They are much more user friendly and learning the above items will be easier. A 125L should work for you but it may take just a bit longer to learn things as the less floatation will make things a bit more work. But, you will grow into the lower volume and be happier for it in the long run.

Hope this helps,
Windlover