What are your thoughts on a high volume bidirectional? Everyone is saying that surfboards are great in light wind. They float and make the lulls easier to handle. I was observed that a surfboard is not using much of the total surface area when in flat water....so why use one?

I was thinking of building a bidirectional out of a surfboard blank. It would be 2-3 inches thick and be a hybrid surfboard / bidirectional. It would use 4 fins, but the fins would larger than a normal bidirectional board.

.... so shoot it down and tell me shy it would suck.


... or give me some tips on what not to do.

I think that once you get moving forward, the volume won't matter too much. Also, the fins will cause drag and slow you down.
I know I can ride my Glide in as little as 9 knots on my 9m Waroo (no lie.. honest). I think it's because of the lack of drag and the fact that the Glide moves pretty quick and allows the kite to build apparent wind.

Anyway, lets see what others say. I would shoot for surface area though with little drag, not buoyancy with fins (drag).

I would say drag is your biggest enemy. Surfboards don't give you the low end you need, they can point higher upwind but you can't ride them in the absolute stupid light winds.
Punk_FU your Underground 152 will work better in light winds than a surfboard

OK then scrap the fat board idea....... looking back...didnt bic try to make them in 2000?


so who makes a 200 x 50?


...maybe I should just go in a diet?

Spleene makes a 164x50 this year. If you can't get going on that you shouldn't be trying to ride.
Dieting works too!

Slingshot made the LFB or something like that (Little Fat sumtin'). It was a big and floaty TT. It sucked.

Not that I am an expert kiteboarder, but when you increase volume on any board (surf, sail, etc) you increase thickness and that raises the center of gravity and generally detracts from performance and feel. Volume in a surfboard mostly improves paddling power/ease (no value to kites). Quickness to plane is a function of thickness at the rail line and the hardness of the rail. Reduced rocker and increasing the bottom surface area also improve plaining. The main advantage of more volume (using a surfboard) in kitboarding, that I have found, is the board seems to blow down wind faster when you fall making it easy to get your board back.

I think most of what you said is dead on, shine.

I have found a surfboard with some decent volume also allows me to stay afloat and on plane with next to no forward board speed, as well.
That's only really a benefit in the 5 to 9 knot range though, and most wouldn't bother riding in those lame conditions.