Hi all,

I'm looking at getting back into windsurfing after about 20 years out.
I'm looking at second hand gear and being 100kg, I'm a bit limited.
One board in particular that I'm looking at is a 2016 Duratech - 360 Evolution M. It's 155 litres so the volume seem suitable. I used to be fairly decent and rode a Bombora Xit for several years so hope to be back up and flying before long. I'm after something to sail in the Swan river (WA) mostly as I will be teaching my son to sail as well.
Can anyone advise if the 360 Evolution M is a decent choice or is there anything else I should be considering. Given there aren't too many 2nd hand boards available to suit my 100kg frame, I may look at new boards as well.

One other thing the 360 Evo has dual fins. something I never saw in my day so I'm not sure what that benefit is of this.

Happy to take any ones advice.
Cheers.

That board seems a bit big for you, as you would have been waterstarting and planing.... and for most people as long as you have good wind it is a bit like riding a bike.
Newer boards are much easier to sail, and you were on about 100L of insanely difficult to sail board.

Id say more like a 120L freeride if its the start of the season and committed......or can sail lots anyway. Maybe now more like 130L as its getting flukey etc. 155 will be easy but as soon as you get it planing it will be too much. I fear that will happen really soon for you. Or are you budgeting for a second board really soon?

The twin fin is pretty unconventional on a freeride, but no doubt as it is a dual use (just after beginner stage thru to intermediate) and the beginners want to be in shallow stuff but a normal 155L is using a 50-70cm fin now.
That is partly also why i think you can go smaller, faster, more conventional etc.

BUT for god's sake don't go slalom, race, freerace....... all delicate and technical.
If rich, get a 135L freeride and a 110L FSW and go out lots..... :)




How big is your son.... ? If he is motivated and under say 75kg ish, he will learn just fine on a 130L freeride with no centreboard. Especially if you can get him to the WWA kids thing to learn with a centreboard then jump on yours after that

Thanks for the advice, I'm glad I asked. I'd just found the sizing online but I guess it was more directed at beginners.
Yes, I had been planing, waterstarting and gybing on the Xit so expect to be doing it all again very soon.
I definitely hope to get a good season out of the new kit living only 5 minutes from the river.

My son is only 13, so will be starting him with lessons to see if he's committed before buying him any gear. WIll be a real bonus if he can learn a bit on my board as well.

Thanks again.

Get your done down with windsurfing WA (WWA) great environment. See the WA thread. And Facebook.

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BSN101 said..
Get your done down with windsurfing WA (WWA) great environment. See the WA thread. And Facebook.

Will certainly do that.
Cheers.

I think you will be surprised how easy it is to pick up again.

If you are fit and have heaps of time then of course Mark's advice will be spot on. But if after 20 years you are now time limited and not fit then possibly you might appreciate all of the 155 liters and the width of the Evolution M - it will get you out in gentler conditions to build fitness and technique, and everything will happen in a nice slow motion way compared to on a smaller board in stronger winds. Just depends on your situation.

I saw one website that stated the peak windsurfing season runs November to February. How is the sailing off Pelican Point (5 minutes from home) throughout the rest of the year? Is it just a case of a larger sail and fewer days with enough wind?

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Topher said..
I saw one website that stated the peak windsurfing season runs November to February. How is the sailing off Pelican Point (5 minutes from home) throughout the rest of the year? Is it just a case of a larger sail and fewer days with enough wind?

I presume youre talking about pelican point in perth. Peli point covers a lot of wind directions, anything northerly and you want to head over to melville beach (theres a small carpark where cunningham st hits melville beach rd) or applecross.

Winter is more about chasing fronts on the other side of the river than nice steady wind though.

If you were riding a Bombora Xit, then you don't want anything larger than your weight + 40, and then probably 20 litres less than that for good wind days. A 155 is too large, you'll get tired of it pretty soon. It's like riding a bike, you'll be back up and running in one or two sessions.

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Subsonic said..

Topher said..
I saw one website that stated the peak windsurfing season runs November to February. How is the sailing off Pelican Point (5 minutes from home) throughout the rest of the year? Is it just a case of a larger sail and fewer days with enough wind?

I presume youre talking about pelican point in perth. Peli point covers a lot of wind directions, anything northerly and you want to head over to melville beach (theres a small carpark where cunningham st hits melville beach rd) or applecross.

Winter is more about chasing fronts on the other side of the river than nice steady wind though.

Great, I'm very familiar with Melville beach / Lucky Bay, I grew up south of the river and that's where I sailed years ago.

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Harrow said..
If you were riding a Bombora Xit, then you don't want anything larger than your weight + 40, and then probably 20 litres less than that for good wind days. A 155 is too large, you'll get tired of it pretty soon. It's like riding a bike, you'll be back up and running in one or two sessions.

Sadly I'm about 20 kg heavier that the days of my Xit but your advice ties in with Marks so I'm confident what to look at now.

Thanks guys.

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Topher said..
Sadly I'm about 20 kg heavier that the days of my Xit but your advice ties in with Marks so I'm confident what to look at now.

Yes, wasn't using the Xit as an indication of appropriate size, but rather an indication of your sailing ability.

I did the same only I was 120 kg.
I'm also was pretty good twenty years ago, duck jibing and in controll..
Now I'm fatter and older.( slightly lighter and working on it ),
Its kinda like riding a bike
I re started 5 years ago,
New gear is better but it's still hard work.
It is a awesome thing to get back into . Better than getting high , chasing fluff , and all that.
This is how I re done it.
Got an old $50 Wally on a sunny day and loved it.
Then bought a old big fat board with a modern 6.5 sail .
Thats it I was hooked .
I knew what I wanted next.
My advice , Go freeride 130 to 160 litre , 78 to 80 wide.( no wider ) , It will be sooo much better than what you remember . Beat the board instead of grow into it.
Once your into that you'll know what you want next
ps: sails are better and so much more fragile than what you remember .

Imax1 i notice you said its better than everything known to mortals Except BEER didnt make the list???

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olskool said..
Imax1 i notice you said its better than everything known to mortals Except BEER didnt make the list???

Beer is a given , hydrate to stay alive ,
Aussie sport drink

When I got back into it after a 25 year layoff and at 90kg I bought a 75L freestyle wave. That proved to be a bit of a mistake. I'm enjoying freeride/race of about 100L now.

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remery said..
When I got back into it after a 25 year layoff and at 90kg I bought a 75L freestyle wave. That proved to be a bit of a mistake. I'm enjoying freeride/race of about 100L now.

Big is beautiful , more cushion for the pushin .
Unless your an expert , have an uphaul rope and board to match. Weight + 20 litres at least . Or be able to swim all the way back tired in your sailing zone.

Do your self a favour and get a Fanatic Blast 130L you will not regret it....I guarantee it. At least try one. Best most user friendly board Ive ever had in 30 years. Easy to gybe easy to tack, up haul its fast and stable.

If you buy second hand you could use it for a season or two and lose very little money (if you buy wisely)
Why not grab a couple.
Try it out then more it on .
Fairly big market out there.
Everything I put up for sale has sold quite quickly