As I newb I was hoping not to start another 'whats the best board for a beginner thread' which I'm sure everybody loves, so sorry if it goes that way.
20 years ago I had started with a Dufour Wing that was 25 ft long, then went to a Tyronsea 370 (?), and got to average level at best (still can't waterstart).
Families and other things got in the way, so it was all sold. Now as a fattish 40 year old i'd like to get a board again, hopefully something the kids have fun with too.
But everythings changed overnight from what I can gather. Boards are short and fat, and it seems sails are virtually 10m sq m +. I've been told they depower now more than old style sails
There seems either totally shagged 80's and 90's gear on ebay or $2000 boards I don't know about.I've looked at the buy and sell , and lurked over some of the forums but to be honest there's a truckload of stuff to choose from, so I was hoping for some suggestions.
I'd be just bay sailing, say up to 15kts, small chop at most. I weigh 87 on a good day and was hoping to find something as a package, ideally in the newer short and fat shape, so we'd stand a bit of a chance of getting it planing.
thanks for any advice.
crusty
Something like a Starboard Go or equivalent from other manufacturers with a sail around 7m, something thats freeridy would be the go. Most brands have them with five to seven full length battons and no cams. Get a matching mast, either 430 or 460cm long and clamp on boom. With deck plates the Chinook twin bolt system with quick release is pretty good. Then decide upon what sort of mast base, either euro pin or u cup. Europin is a bit easier to use but they say its difficult to keep track of its fatigue.
Get back into it! Its been great besides the lack of wind we get sometimes.
What's with this 20 year hiatus? It's like the windsurfing world stopped around 1990 for a whole lot of us and we're all coming back again!
Good stuff.
I've only just come back early this year with around the same 20 year break. I chose to go with longboards this time around as I want to get back into the surf, as where I left off, it's windsurfing's version of mal riding (slow progress though). This style of board can be an option for you too instead of short, fat and wide (SFW). But....
The modern SFW boards are quite floaty too and would be easier for kids to handle as the boards are very stable...I've been told. Are you in Sydney? If so contact one of this forum's sponsors www.windsurfnsnow.com.au and I recall they had a used modern HiFly beginner/intermediate board for sale a little while ago, it has a retractable centreboard which offers even more stability and allows you to point higher and get home if you stray too far downwind. They can put together a package for you too out of their used range if you choose to go that way. It would save you lots of time in trying to re-educate yourself with what gear is suitable.
Modern gear has become more technical, in description anyway, and there seems to have been more disciplines than back then so it can be complicated and confusing if you don't do your homework first. Apart from "beginner" boards also look at large volume styles as another option, over 150 litres to 190 litres should do the trick. Dufour Wings and TC Runners were both around 220 litres as a reference. You don't need that much volume nowadays as the width can make up for it.
If you come across sails that are suggested as suitable and seem too large eg. 6.5-7.0, believe them as they are not as powerful as the same size sails back then and are more forgiving. They spill excess air via the top of the trailing edge of the sail but to do this the sail requires more area, hence the bigger sounding numbers. They are appoximately 0.5m2 larger nowadays.
Avoid cammed sails at this stage too as they require a little more fiddling and set-up knowledge and not very beginner friendly.
Like you the first thing I noticed when I started my research was the shape of modern boards, I still think the SFW ones look weird, particularly the "Formula" racing models.
Good luck with your search.
Thanks Guys,
Keef: The Dofour had the best ad, nice french girl unfortunately missing 50% of her bathers
mobydisk: I understood about 1/3 of what you listed, cheers. I had gathered about 150 or 160 lt is the go, but how hard is it to uphaul a 7.0m? (my largest used to be a 6 from memory) I take it the old fluro pink wave sail I still have is not going to be compatible in anyway?
I've not seen a mast foot/universal of the new styles, but is it possible to fit an 'old' rig onto a SFW style board?
I'm just thinking along the lines of saving a few $$ and trying to find the suitable board first.
Oh yeah, I'm in Geelong, just down the road from Torquay. Seems like everyone down here plays with kites though!
crustysailor...
There's still sailors in Geelong.. you've just got to know where to look. Any time there's wind with a bit of west in it go check out Point Henry but dont drive to the point turn onto the first dirt road on the left when you get to the Smelter. Follow that road down and your sure to see some sailors out. Would love to show you through all the new gear!
Videos of some of the local crew...
If you're only into sailing up to 15 knots of breeze, you may find that any shortboard apart from a full-blown Formula set may only give you a narrow window of superiority over a decent longboard.
The physics mean that wide boards plane earlier but go slower when not planing (unless you want to pack on a bigger sail, which brings other issues). They can feel very sluggy until they suddenly break out and just zap. Whether you prefer that to skinnier board (which goes quicker at the bottom end but doesn't have that zap) is a matter of personal taste.
You could also maybe do some research on a modern longboard like a Kona One. It's about the same speed as your old Dufour in the light stuff and hits about 30 knots at the top end. It's not as quick on the plane as a wideboard but it's faster in the light and the heavy than a "leisure" (ie not high performance) wideboard. It's less stable (being narrower) than a wideboard but on the other hand it goes upwind a lot better when it's not strong enough to plane everywhere.
Of course, in medium winds a good wideboard flies (check out the speed of Formula gear) and they are good if you want to give beginners a go on open waters.
Hey Crustry,
you might want to consider a cheap Gumtree/classifieds old Windsurfer OD for very few hundreds. Not really recommended, but will give you a feel for getting started again, and you sell at the end of the summer or before, for the same price, once you know more where you want to head. It's sort of a rental.
The next try in the food chain, for the kind of sailing that you describe, would be a modern Windsurfer OD. A bit more expensive, but cheaper than full-blown multiple modern gear, allows up to 20 knots, social sailing, bit of freestyle, etc. For getting into shape, nothing like getting caught with those big barges in 15+ knots.
Then there's the Kona, arguably more of a all-arounder. Bit more pricey?
Good luck and welcome back "in the fold".
Yeah, I don't understand the "after a 20-year break" thing either.
I get annoyed if I don't get on a board within 24 hours of my last outing... but it is true that it is a delicate balance with perso life...
Thanks all guys, the more I look the more Im stunned by whats around, thanks too for all the input.I'll lurk over the buy and sells for a while!
hey Red, I know Point Henry well. We used to sail a hartley 16 trailer sailer there off the beach, back when there was actually a Point, and you could virually walk out and touch the ships going past. I can see when you guys are Kiting (?) from my house, and I took the kids down about a month ago. Speed is incredible, but no boards though on that day.
15 knots is probably all my fortitude would get to, no spring chicken anymore.
Off topic, but the god's have aligned somehow and I get the once in 10 years holiday in Hamilton Island in a couple of weeks. They used to hire out boards from the beach, does anyone know if they are the new style? I know they upgraded the catamaran fleet to Hobie Waves a few years ago.I hope they aren't still the originals ones. Still it will give the fokes on the beach something to laugh over.
Now if I can just find the red budgie smugglers...
cheers again guys for all the tips
crusty
update: Looks like i've got he go ahead to splurge on new gear instead (yeah I must have been a good husband/dad/slave at some time),plus pricing of some of the entry s/h gear seems to be getting close to new anyhow.
At this stage it may be either a JP Funster 160 Package at around $2800 with NP Zen, or Starboard Go. If you where starting again, would you have any preference betwwen the 2? Does anyone have any comments or experience on either?
And finally, the JP package is from SHQ. Not wanting to cut the sponsors lunch in anyway, as without them there may be no seabreeze, but do you normally pay rrp on this sort of gear. ie is that what you'd expect to pay?
as always, I appreciate your comments.
cheers
Hi Crusty
Is there anywhere close you can have a session or 2 on the sort of gear you're looking to purchase ? I reckon it'd be money well spent.
At < 90kg and having sailed before (even though it's a whle back) you're not a raw beginner, so you may quickly find a 160 litre board a bit big.
Also with new season (2011) stuff recently released there are likely to be some superceded (but still good) stuff around at good prices.
Hi Watto5,
There's nowhere 'local' as such.
The nearest Jp dealer isn't into boards much anymore, even though he's still on the website. The next closest is SHQ around the other side of the bay. I know I should take your advice and try a few, part part of me thinks it's a big hassle, as dumb as that sounds, and just stump up the cash and be happy.
I did ask about superceeded models, but was told that these styles of entry board did not change to much, and as such there's no old stock or previous models.
If it was kites, that would be a different thing down this way,there's a few stores. I rarely see boarders anymore, certainly not as much anyhow.
You may be right about the Funster (at 160L). Maybe the Funride (145L) would be the way to go, albeit with a little more of a challenge initially. At least they'll fit inside the Territory.
Yeah, I'd agree re the 145 vs the 160.
As a raw beginner 2 years ago, and about 95kg bone dry, I had a few lessons then got a Go144. Was the perfect board for about a year and am now onto a 122 litre.
The good news is, it seems these sorts of boards have pretty good resale.
I dont think you can lose with either board as they are both great designs. More importantly your getting a good quality rig that can be used on any further purchases in the future. One thing to consider is that most of the local sailing spots (more suited to learning) require a weed fin so maybe consider that as a additional purchase..
Cant wait to see you on the water...
thanks Red,
I will need to learn some etiquette regarding sailing with kite surfers around, as I'd like to go to Pt Henry once I'm up and running and don't want to p*** anyone off.
The other place is a local lagoon of the bay, pretty enclosed allround so I won't do too much damage. Smaller fin is a good idea, the lagoon especially can be caked in it.
Watto sounds like you had a good find, i'm not sure im as lucky.
145 sounds like the go. I'll keep lurking and suprise you all soon hopefully.
If you see a dork with a 1980's pastel pink and yellow ripcurl Aggrolite wetsuit looking totally out of control, say hi, it's probably going to be me.
Crusty,
At point Henry tends to be two separate areas. Kiters on the point itself and we tend to stick more down south into stingray bay. The other great spots to get back into it is Lake Connewarre (off brindsmeads Lane Leopold) and also Swan Bay Queenscliff. The great thing about where we live is we've got a spot sailable in any wind direction!!!
PM me if you need more details....
Go for it Crusty! Pick any of 'em! If I'm having a ball "coming back" you will too! It's a hoot!
yeah I know, life too short, and it's only money afterall.
Red I think I may be jinxed at lake conawarre though. Back in the day when the Tyronsea was the go, I went down there in the work Econovan. All loaded up, had a good sail, no prob.
Loading said board back in, and I ever so lightly tipped the inside of the windscreen with the boards nose, job done, instant crack right through. I dreaded Monday morning, 'sorry boss I just slightly put my sailboard through your windscreen....'
We were told when sailing cadets that stingray bay near Limburners was a breeding/nursing ground for sharks, because of the shallower/warmer/protected water. Not sure if it was true or not, but we recoved from capsizes pretty quick.
Great idea to teach kids sailing there if that was the case though.
Crusty ...
Stingray Bay... Ive only ever seen one shark there and that was a banjo shark that was flying through the air after being picked up by a fellow sailor and ceremoniously thrown at my head!
Never had any worries... The other side of the point thats another story!!
