i used to use longboards to give people a taste of windsurfing - not the ideal
next tried the Mistral Windglider - this is good for about the first hour or two - even more hours for kids
the best so far has been a BIC Techno Formula of 94 cm width using a small sail !!!
this is a board i use in light winds for early planing with a 10-oh sail - not recommended for newbies
which means this kit can be kept or sold easily
my big weed fin gets in the way of newbies - only bad point
otherwise - it has been my best learner kit yet !!!
unfortunately this board is no longer made - but this does show that width and volume help beginners
some beginner boards come with a small fin, but otherwise can be used a long time
let me check JP ...
Funster fin is bit small and Explorer narrower, but acceptable fin
Select to expand quotewhatsausername said..
It look's like the store I plan on going through don't stock JP..
They have Starboard, Naish and Fanatic.
I know nothing about any of these brands beginner boards. :(Select to expand quotewhatsausername said..
Thanks guys!
So much information to take in. That's partly why I want to go through a retailer. Yes, I'll end up paying a little extra, but it also means I'll get a package that fits/works well together..
We've confused the poor guy so much he's got to go back to the retailer!
You now have everyone's opinion on how to learn to windsurf....back to your prospective purchase:
It seems most people agree on a second hand rig if you are so inclined. A non cammed free ride type sail will do you well, preferably in two sizes (maybe 5.8 and 7.0 as evilpanda suggested). A 30% carbon mast would be the go, and an alloy boom to suit the sail sizes.
Regarding boards, I don't know much about naish or fanatic so can't comment specifically.
I reckon you can't go wrong with the starboard rio. The small sized rio is very similar in spec to the JP explorer and would be a good allround learner platform that would get you into planing, carve gybing fairly well. In its moderate and large size it would be a bit "in between" the explorer and funster. A competent learner should get into it fairly easily on one of the rios, especially if you've had lessons. I have sailed one before and it will be much more fun to sail than the starboard start and give you a greater potential to develop short board skills.
A starboard rio in a small or medium would be a very sound choice IMO, and would work well with the rig suggested above.
Clarence
