I have a friend 6 ' 3" not sure of his weight 100kg? but very fit who used to sailboard on a HIFLY back in the 90's.He had one 6m sail & went out in all conditions.( used to get anninilated in strong winds). I don't think he ever used to gybe.He's thinking of getting back into it and I was wondering if one of these would suit him? He probably won't be an enthusiast so he needs to get as much TOW as possible.Probably lake sailing.He has a surfski and he finds it too busy in the surf which is why he is thinking of getting back into the sailboarding.
I thought these would let him get out in light conditions + be ok up to 20kts? + he can still tack them & they go upwind..I don't really know much about them although I know someone who has one and they scream upwind and can tack etc..
My friend who is thinking of getting back into it went to the Jp demo/ beginner sail and he prefers the standup paddle type boards but I think he'd find them too unstable when the chop comes in?
I'm just researching so I might be able to advise him . I doubt he'd come here & ask any questions.
Sue I ride a sup they are pretty stable with a sail on them and great fun in small waves at the beach. After he learns it would get boring sailing them on flat water as they are quite slow. A couple of guys at the club have cheap formula boards for sale that would suit him we also have a starboard start that he or anyone else could use If they join the club after a few weeks we would also teach him at no cost if needed
Sue - I think there was a number of different models so it may be pertinent to check what volume it is. At 100kg volume is king
You might want to ask Alwyn (I suspect this is who you are referring to)for a ride on his - from memory it is the 138l model.
I had a quick go on it one day - you were their also - and its a hoot - not the ankle snapping antics on a beam reach of a full formula board - reasonably early planing (though I had it out in 8-14 knots with a 7.5 freeride sail) and most important a decent turn of pace when pointed off the wind.
Dont know that I would recommend it to someone relearning - yes it will do all the things you speak of - perhaps not easily for someone relearning at 100kg
What would everyone suggest then ? As I said he isn't keen on the aircraft carrier type of boards and would want to be able to tack it.
I might have to tell him about the Starboard start at Marmong although I think he had a go on one at the demo and didnt like it as much as the standup paddle ( it was only 5 - 8kts at the demo though).
Doesnt sound like he would be able to pick it up on a freeformula ether a big sup or an aircraft carrier . At the club there are other people in a similar situation and the board you learn on isnt usually the board you want when you have learnt. If he is 100kg he will need something big. I sold a formula board to one of the hawksnest boys years ago and it started a bit of a trend up there they love the formula boards and use 7.5 sails on them if he wants to come to marmong let me know and i will get there a bit early to spend time with him before the racing starts
I have both a 210l starboard start and a 160ish litre 2003 Freeformula. The start was brilliant to learn on and at the time, not knowing what a proper performance board felt like, it felt great on the plane, fitted with a 54cm fin. I sold it and eventually bought it back so I could begin sailing 2-up with my 5 year old son and it is just great for that. You can't get away from the fact that it is a big, heavy board and despite the fact it pops onto the plane without any trouble, it feels just the same on the plane - big and heavy!. If you know nothing else, you'll love it. If you discover other boards, you'll retrospectively appreciate it's brilliance as a learning platform.
As for the freeformula, love it. I run 7.4 (54cm fin), 9.5 (65cm fin) or 11.0 (70cm fin) purely for recreational sailing. I've never had a true formula board for back to back comparisons of feel, pointing ability etc but at 106kg myself, it very comfortably floats me, jumps on the plane and hoots upwind, downwind and across the wind. The only alternative I can see are some of the larger freeride boards of similar volume but these are 10-15cm narrower overall and much narrower in the tail.
If you have some background to the sport and have an appreciation of how to preserve your gear when learning (avoid catapults, don't drag the sail across grippy deck) then you could get away with re-learning on something like the freeformula. Your gear would end up a little worse for wear at the end of it but you wouldn't have to change boards to progress. However, there's nothing like having a soft, padded learner board to encourage social sailing as there's nothing your mates/kids can really do to hurt it or whatever sail you rig on it. Depends if this is a direction you want to take your sailing.
Eckas.
Maybe something like a 130 x-cite ride, easy to uphaul and can still be used in 25 knots+
Your mate sounds like he has the skills just needs time on the water to get him up to speed.
You can float around all day on a 130 at 100kegs if the wind is light and when it picks up he'll be set also, If he gets a SUP or a GO he'll be limited to the lighter wind days.
Cheers.
As I am also around 100 kilos and went to shortboarding from longboarding only 3 years ago - will give my perspective/ 2 cents ...
I wanted flotation for light winds and a sail for light winds.
My most used board for now is a 160 liter AHD FastForward
My most used sail is a MauiSails Pursuit no cam 8.5
This starts to be great after 15-16 knots and can go close to 22-23 knots
This is on fairly flat water with some chop
For me after that a 7.0 sail is required.
If going for one sail - perhaps 7.5 or 8.0 ??
My windsurf buddy, who weighs about the same, suggests more like 145 to 150 liters after starting with a 160, but he still has his 160 :-)
lots of luck
joewindsurfer.blogspot.com
Only got 4hrs sleep last night.. that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Sorry, this is a bit of a pimp, but is also a good option.
How about a Go board 155 or 144 or 175?
Super popular boards, hard to find second hand with a great resale value
Now available NEW 2010, with full warranty for $1,199 delivered to your nearest Starboard dealer.
www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=auswind&e=com
Thanks,
Ian
A friend of mine has a Starboard Go, an early model and its a good board that is not just limited to drifting around in light winds. Another mate had a Go that he sold and it too was a good board too. They plane well and are good fun on the plane.
I've seen an older RRD Free Formula board in action and the owner really likes. I have a Tabou Rocket 140 and it is quite stable, I'd imagine this bigger freeride style of board would be suitable too.
I don't think he will want to have a board where you have to be able to gybe. he has a lot of other interests so he won't have the time to spend learning how to gybe..Is it only volume that deternines if you can tack a board or design as well?
Have you had a look at this. Plenty of volume, plenty of performance and a dagger board thrown in for good upwind measure. looks like his outfit to me
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~b-sqy/2010-Bic-Techno-293-293-cm-205-litres.aspx?search=Ay8%2fAKHerIOkZnbzU89%2fUw%3d%3d
Anything that involves "almost stationary" relies on volume alone to remain afloat.
I just guessed his weight..how much would a fit muscled 6 ' 3" ( no fat) bloke weigh?
Yep, I have a 168 Free Formula. I used it to get back into the sport after 12 years off. Perfect! You can use them in all conditions up to 25+ knts with the right fin. I could probably be persuaded to sell it if there is nothing else about.
