Hi,

I've had a lesson in windsurfing on a starboard start 200L with 3.2m sail, during this i learnt to sail, tack and jibe. I want to get my own board etc and was told the starboard go around 160-180L with about 5.5m sail but don't have alot of money and don't want to have to upgrade to quickly so was thinking around a 130L board. Is this the right idea?

I'm 70kg female and live on Mulambin beach so have access to it any time. I want to get into windsurfing for fun and something different. Don't want to outgrow my board too quickly or get disheartened with it when i still can't keep it up in a year.

Please any guidance would be appreciated.
Katy

Katy,
Are you at Mulambin beach in Yeppoon?

120 liter would be better for ya babe.. 130 size is just a total waste of money.. I sail a 120 liter Jp excite, and even that size is really abit big to use as my main board. When it's real choppy and on shore it's real hard to sail.. I use the board in waves, chop and flat water.. It's the one board I mainly use, I was hoping I could use it for all conditions, but now I am after a 90-100 liter board. If you can find one, get a carve 120 liter blue board, they have the best wind range on the market..

The big Jps are not as comfortable to sail as the starboards..

Hi Katardy. I am your weight and have been sailing for 2 years now. If you consider yourself average skill (me), I recommend going for the 160-170L board, and give yourself time to learn and you'll enjoy yourself heaps better.

I sailed my first year on a 150L freeride board. I then went to a 115L freeride and 104L slalom board.

J


Flipper: Your thumbs are burning again

From a single lesson on a 200l board to your own 130l board is a pretty big step. With plenty of time, patience and good conditions it would be do-able. If that's not a likely combination you could end up getting a bit frustrated with progress.

To progress quickly to the 130l, get lessons and/or hire boards until you're there or there abouts. Potentially expensive though!

Cheaper option is to exploit natural resources in the area (such as Sausage) who will normally have gear lying around for purchase/lending and no shortage of opinions to help you "progress"

If you need to buy kit, look at a cheap board upwards of 150l on the basis you'll be buying a smaller one in 6 - 12 months (maybe less if you really get into it). Spend somewhat more money on the sail, mast and boom as they will be re-usable on the smaller future board and make learning a bit easier. They could take a bit of a hammering in the process though so don't spend up real big!

Don't go too small too soon or you make it hard for yourself.
I agree with the others. Err on the big side for a board and get an inexpensive one so you'll not be reluctant to trade it in in a year or so on that 130L.
Sails are more of a long term investment. 5.5m I think would be a bit large for a first time sail here (windy Perth), but if your winds are mostly under 15 knots it would be OK.

Hey yeah I'm in Yeppoon

hi katardy

I have taught both my wife at 35 and my son at age 7,both are now ripping.

My advise is go big,160.This will give you a stable platform to master rig handling and your core skills.Learning will be far easier,quicker and frustration free.The fastest way to get to the smaller boards is to master your skills on a large board,particually when it comes to planing,footstraps and the harness-when you are confident in these areas you will be ready for that 120.Your chances of becoming a windsurfer are far greater if you start with a 160.

Take your new board to your local beach,talk to the other windsurfers,they will give you the lowdown on the area.Windsurfers tend to be very helpful to each other,pointing out dangers,knowing conditions,recom sail size,help rig and will keep an eye on you.When the time comes they will lend you a 130 to try.

Get videos and look online for Guy Cribb and Jem Hall instructional help(invaluable)

Cannot advise on sail size as I am not familiar with your local conditions,but it will be of great benefit to get a mast that is lighter than a standard one.

It is a good time of year to haggle for a great deal on gear.Don't worry about resale value,if you buy a used board now(end of summer) if you sell it in the future you will pretty much get your money back-but I suspect you will become very attached to your new friend and it will be too sad to sell her,and then you will have 2.You will regularly still ride the 160 in light wind and to teach you skills you now want to master on the 130(try on the 160 first).You need to learn skills in light wind first,then moderate and then in strong wind on a smaller board.The 160 will allow you to practice more often,therefore learn quicker.


good luck and keep us informed of your progress

cheers

Hi Katy - my 2 cents worth, and as you are in qld;

A small starboard go would be good as suggested, and they have been around for a while so u can probably find a reasonably cheap second hand one. They are not common in SE queensland and you might have to buy from WA. I'd imagine around $500-$800. You won't outgrow it as quickly as the Start model. I've personally used the start and Go to teach with. In my personal opinion, the start is not much good beyond the very basics and you will most likely outgrow it very quickly. The go is lighter and smaller than the start, but still on the heavier/robust side

A second hand Bic Techno about 130 litres would be nice too. They've been around a while and should be fairly cheap - around $400? Slightly lighter but still relatively robust. A bit more common locally

A second hand JP funster 120 - 140 litres. A newer breed of board but should be around $800 - $1100 second hand (subject to it's condition). I've personally used them for teaching and they will take you quite a long way before you need to upgrade. They are on the heavier/robust side. There are quite a few locally but I have not seen many second hand yet as they are a fairly new model. (Check with Surf FX on the Gold Coast)

A larger 130 litre JP excite ride probably around $700 - $1500 second hand (subject to it's condition). This model has been around for the last 4 years or so and would probably be a board you keep till you destroy it because it is big enough to learn on, and continue to have fun on when more advanced, plus it will make a nice light wind board. There are quite a few of them around now in SE Queensland. It is light weight compared to the other suggestions. You can fit a JP nose protector to it if needed - the nose is where most boards take most of the beating when learning.

In general, any 120 + litre board made after 2001 will be ok for you. Some are more fragile than others and a little more specialised / slightly less stable, but still possible to learn on.

The mentioned boards are around 2.45 metres long and around 70-80cm wide. You will fit them in a small Corolla sized hatch with the front passenger seat laying back and the nose of the board pointing to the front passenger side floor, with the board upside down and the fin removed. Throw a towell over the seat headrests and just push it in. It's a squeeze but it fits

Hope this helps a bit

You will end up with 6 boards 10 sails 3 masts 3 booms anyways. go a bigger lireage to start of with Some of the big boards feel like a Tug boat!

Select to expand quote

katardy said...

Hi,

I've had a lesson in windsurfing on a starboard start 200L with 3.2m sail, during this i learnt to sail, tack and jibe. I want to get my own board etc and was told the starboard go around 160-180L with about 5.5m sail but don't have alot of money and don't want to have to upgrade to quickly so was thinking around a 130L board. Is this the right idea?

I'm 70kg female and live on Mulambin beach so have access to it any time. I want to get into windsurfing for fun and something different. Don't want to outgrow my board too quickly or get disheartened with it when i still can't keep it up in a year.

Please any guidance would be appreciated.
Katy

Welcome & have fun!