Due to a few reasons I'm going to sell my van. It will be a while before I can save up enough money to buy a decent van that hopefully does not require expensive mechanical repairs. One reason I have a van is I don't have anywhere convenient to store my gear, no garage or shed. So my my gear has to go into inaccessible storage that means I won't be going windsurfing much till I get another van. I don't need a car to basically survive as I live within walking distance of my work, a huge shopping centre and a major train station so a second car is a real luxury that is a bit hard to justify.

An alternative I though would be to buy an inflatable board. A bit of googling shows there are a few inflatable windsup boards but nothing much else. Ideally I'd like something like a 115 litre board that has a bolt through fin box that is designed for planing. If it costs a bit then that would be fine as it would be much cheaper than buying and registering s van. I'm not interested in an inflatable board that is not designed to plane. Do such boards exist? Possibly not.

Hey Karl, RRD make a inflatable that the designer, John Skye, took it to over 35 knots recently.
Google and see what you think.

you'll still need to fit a sail, boom and mast in whatever transport you choose.

Like Ka43 said there is a RRD model (not the speed one that's a proto) think it's called air plane

Thanks for this Grant and Sean. The RRD is real eye opener. Its a bit bigger than what I'd like so I'd imagine it would be crazy in stronger winds. However by itself it would probably keep me happy over summer as I could probably get out a bit earlier in the day as the seabreeze builds up.

Yeah Sean I know the other stuff will be needed. However just say for example I had three sails, one mast, one boom and an inflatable board it could be kept in a cupboard and transported fairly easily in a small car.
Right now I'm looking down the barrel of about $1200 to register the van, $800 insurance and having to fix a few things that will probably cost a couple of grand. I really don't want to spend the money on it and would rather spend it on some new windsurfing gear.

Most probably the inflatable boards available today will date very quickly if they prove popular. More resources will spend developing them and they will improve more rapidly than standard boards.

I found this video just now on utube after looking up the RRD Airwindsurf.

If SUP is anything to go by, they don't last well as all the little rubber stick thingies that run from top to bottom in the inside (so it does not become a sphere when pumped up) come unglued after a 2-3 years. And they are not subject to the stress that a WS board would be.....................
And that can't be repaired. Buy a dodgy $1000 van before an inflatable board...?

Just my 2c

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Mark _australia said..
If SUP is anything to go by, they don't last well as all the little rubber stick thingies that run from top to bottom in the inside (so it does not become a sphere when pumped up) come unglued after a 2-3 years. And they are not subject to the stress that a WS board would be.....................
And that can't be repaired. Buy a dodgy $1000 van before an inflatable board...?

Just my 2c

As I have no experience with inflatable boards it's good to hear this. I don't really want a vehicle I have no faith in and because of where I live it's difficult to do mechanical repairs.

Maybe be the answer is to buy a storage container and find somewhere convenient I can park it cheap. Or just scrape up a couple of million dollars and buy a house.

Maybe you can store your boards at some sail/windsurfing club? St George's on the river South of Botany, or the one in Macquarie lake, I am sure there would be more. Try and find a flat with garage. Keep 1 board and rig at home on the balcony and buy roof racks for the car....

Yeah rego is a killer.
Have you got quotes for van it might be cheaper repair than you imagine .
The plus side is you might have many more years happy ,motoring after .
My wife recently went to the mechanic & got told needs new inlet manifold gasket at least $700 i said thats bull**** he'd ripping you off she called her cousin he fixed in 5min said its blocked line he did it free but i paid him $100 for his time

Hey Karl, I think George's suggestion to store your gear at one of the sailing clubs is an excellent idea. Failing that...

Have you considered taking up surfing? Grab yourself a mini mal and go hit Longy etc over summer. There's so many good spots within close proximity to you. I'm pretty sure your windsurfing skills will get you up and riding pretty quickly. Surfing is still my #1 passion. I have a long board you're welcome to try out any time and happy to give you a couple of lessons.

Don't shoot me for this, but as far as I can see, the answer for you is to take up kiting.

Much lower space requirements, still gives you that buzz (even more so because it scares the shz out of you on a regular basis), secondhand gear is cheap, and you get to learn a new sport.

I kite as well as windsurf, both are fun.

unfortunately when storage and transportation become an issue, kiting is the answer
there are actually kite boards that are more similar to sailboards ...
when things change, you can always come back

My experience with inflatable windsurfers has been good. I have a smaller Starboard that predated the Airplane and even with soft rails and some flex it planes OK. The best thing is that it seems pretty durable and it not showing much sign of wear and tear after 2 years. I got a Naish inflatable last year in the bigger size and mostly sail that in lighter winds but it is also pretty good fun on the 10 to 20 knot days. It is very light for a big board and is quite good fun when on the plane. I would imagine that the inflatable boards designed specifically for planning would be even better.

was gonna suggest what nebbian & joe did, even as die hard windsurfer kiting does have it's significant merits. That said when you factor lessons it's a substantial investment. Ive not tried inflatables, the starboards with the rail thing sposed to work ok too but having sailed board with delamed bottom I imagine inflatable be similar. It's just one of those annoying things about windsurfing, we all in the same boat there.

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Mark _australia said..
If SUP is anything to go by, they don't last well

Might depend on Moby's age. They gotta be easier on the knees. You can't have it both ways something will wear out, all costs the same in the long run.

See RRD products..



windsurfing.tv/video/35-knots-on-a-blow-up-air-mattress/

www.robertoriccidesigns.com/

On the kite issue,

I can say one thing, the kites way out last windsurf sails by far. My buddy gets as many sessions as I do, and he has had his same kites for quite a few years now and they just seem to hold up well, much longer than sails. Don't know that I would ever change over to kiting. I have way too many hours invested in windsurfing and addicted as hell to it.

^ That's dacron for you.

hope my dacron sail lasts LONG too !!

All FANATICS premium construction inflatable SUPS come with mast inserts.

I rode the Stubby 8"6 at Merrimbula last year, in that squally southerly and it was scary to say the least.
Was definitely planning, but with no foot straps and very little rocker, it felt full on.
Was fun to say ive done it tho.

The main purpose of inflatables is to for learning and basic recreational use.
Planning is a performance part that i personally has been covered yet.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

www.fanatic.com/sup/composite-boards

We've got an Vandal Flow inflatable Windsup. It's been great for SUP and great as a learners board for my 10 yo. I often paddle an old Bic Rumba 310 or sail it alongside. Now my boy is confidently sailing he jumped on the Rumba and prefers the glide of a solid board. I find it way out performs the inflatable for sailing.

With the inflatable as you start to plane you can really feel it wobble, and that's on really flat water. The lack of stiffness absorbs a lot of power and holds you back.

So - why not just buy a cheaper board you aren't worried about loosing and leave it on the roof rack (could by those strap locks) or throw it down the back of the house...