OK... so the world's longest apprenticeship continues. 
I am considering the purchase of a formula board to learn on + enjoy. Opinions?
Last summer a Manly local saw me struggling with all the wobbling on a 66cm wide board of 190L volume - yes, even with a dagger-board. He offered me a loan of a Formula board (with a smaller sail than normal fitted).
...so easy to stand almost anywhere and uphaul. And take my time to think about tacking. Absolutely fantastic to clamber up on the one metre-wide deck when having fallen off in deep water!
This older thread shows pics of my 5.7m sail(?) on a 4.3m mast - it is the exact rig I would use on a formula board. I may have a 6.4m sail.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/Rose-Bay-tomorrow-suitable-for-a-learner/
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I have a cradle, for a composite sea-kayak, on the roof-racks of my Subaru Forester. This leaves 770mm width to hold the 1 metre Formula board - yet will it strap down OK? Width of load won't exceed beyond the side-mirror of the car, and I don't want to take the fiddly Thule cradle off.
If you can fit or strap a centreboard on a formula board then it will be fine as a beginners board, especially if you can find an older one that is more durable and a bit longer than the more modern ones.
It depends on your skills already. The Formula board will be a bit more delicate because they are made to be light.
With a fin of the right size, they should do what you want, as long as its floaty enough for your weight. If you have the regular 70cm fin that they come with then it might be too much, so maybe start with a 50cm fin instead. With the 70cm it will try to race upwind when it gets windy, which you might feel too difficult to control.
I wouldn't recommend a formula board to a beginner. There are other wide boards ( Starboard Start or Go) much easier to learn on and cheaper as well.
Also on a "Go" , or similar, you'll get lots of pleasure planing in lighter winds, and learning techniques that you can use later on.
Sounds like time to buy some suitable learning equipment rather than just buying cheapies/ freebies..Doesn't sound like my Caveman would have worked for you but I did say it would be a challenge.I know you have a lot of other interests ( hence expenses) but the sport is a real buzz and worth learning!
It's worth buying something decent - you can always sell it on once you improve or use it for lightwind days.It's a great sport and worth having a decent go with suitable equipment - suitable doesn't have to be that expensive.
formula is big, but thats the only similarity between it and a beginners board, they dont sail crosswind, and you got no chance if you think your gunna put a 5m sail on one, if you want a similar choice in terms of a competitive board to learn on, it would have to be a phantom, modern long board, retractable dagger, even then, there is much better learner boards, unless your a real beginner to sailing, you'll out grow a one design quickly, id personally recommend the boards that are one off the one designs, eg, not the jp funstar, but the jp funride, there easy to learn and will take you through to plainning, turning, etc, good luck man
If its a freeby and the owner doesnt mind you beating it up then go for it. Just see if you can find a smaller fin.
With this board you will be able to learn and practice all your sub planing skills and get your balance sorted. Once your comfortable with basic tacking, gybeing then you may be ready to get back on your narrower board for the next level of planing skills.
yep the formula board will stick out past the sides. don't let that bother you.
I say take the board and go for it. a formula board can absolutely be used for learning and cruising. it does fall down a little by not having a centreboard. formula boars in sub planning mode are difficult to get to go upwind.
the other disadvantage to a formula board is they are built to race and so don't take the constant pounding of the mast being dropped plus the foot straps are a long way outboard making that transition more difficult.
but other than that everything else is good to go.
contrary to popular belief formula boards do sail across the wind. I mean that's a ridiculous statement. They do work with smaller sails. I know guys that use them with 6.4m sails and smaller fins and love them for it.
Hi Wollemi,
Formula boards can be adapted to work as absolute beginner boards. You can attach a bit of extra padding to the nose (I have seen guys use a pool noodle) and can make up a detachable centreboard from a glass suction cup and plastic cutting board. I have taught several people on an old formula board I have.
There are easier boards in terms of planing, getting in the straps etc, but by the time you are ready for that you can move to your 125L board.
Cheers
James
alright, deleted my posts, sorry gestalt, regret posting, regret clicking on seabreeze
Select to expand quoteMilsy said..
alright, deleted my posts, sorry gestalt, regret posting, regret clicking on seabreeze
lifes to short. people are going to have a different opinion so what's it matter. calling people dickheads probably doesn't help anyone.
agree, Gestalt, life's too short.
Hope I'm not out of line, don't know what milsy said, but good on you for the delete and apology, Milsy.
that's pure gold JamesF! can vouch for your use of those items.
Used one of those suction cup thingys, when cleaning yacht hulls underwater on scuba, they sure work. Had to retire, kept hearing the jaws theme.
old style 14' skiffs used the plastic cutting board for ? mast bracing, anyway saw it done.
