Mistral Tarifa

Question
QUESTION: Can you tell me what volume was the Mistral Tarifa?
Thanks Chuck

ANSWER: Funny you should ask... I had one years ago.  My first "short" board. It was a great board.   If I remember correctly I think it was  140 liters but I am not totally sure of that.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is there a place I can confirm this. I currently have a JP X-Cite 150. The tarifa for me sank just a bit, but was up to speed fast and very manoverable. I am looking at getting a lower volume board for higher winds(+20 knots)and was using this as a bit of a benchmark. I weigh 200lbs.
How do people decide what size board to go with?
Are smaller boards easier to water start?

Answer
The newer small boards can be somewhat of a challenge to waterstart since the lengths of boards have been getting shorter given the same volume.  What this means is that the mast track is moved back on the board and the place where the boom mounts to the mast is now further back than the end of the board which make it a little harder to get the sail out of the water.  With my older short board I was able to drag the sail around getting ready to waterstart and pull the rig so the boom would rest on the back of the board and help clear the water off the sail. From that point I am able to hold the back of the board with one arm and lift the sail into the wind with the other arm.  If you are tall and mount the boom high this will have the same effect as a shorter board and affect your waterstarting. So take this into consideration when you buy a short board.

As far as the Tarifa, it is a very old design.  I doubt you will be able to dig up the specs on it being that it was manufactured about 20 years ago.  I would not recommend buying a board that old. Plus it is only slightly smaller than your JP board (assuming the 150 refers to volume).

For your weight I would recommend around a 100 to 110 liter board if you are looking for a high wind board but it will definitely sink and you must have your waterstarting skills down perfectly before you venture out on it.

How do you like your JP X-cite?  If you do like it consider looking for a lower volume from the JP line.

Buying a board is not easy since there are so many issues that come into play.  Overall volume is the one spec that will tell you if it will sink when you stand on it.  At 200 lbs. the smallest board you can actually stand on and uphaul is about a 120 to 130 liter board.  I know because my friend is about the same weight and he has a 125 liter board that he can uphaul.