hello H2O lovers!

it's been many years that I'm dreaming of windsurfing. and now my dreams are coming true, I'm buying windsurf gear.

I've tried to windsurf when I was 13 years old - "on my own", without any instructor or something. I managed to drive smoothly on light wind up an down in a couple of days. I've tried it on some pretty old gear (from 80's), heavy as hell. Sail was around 5.0, I remember myself having problems lifting the rig up as it was very very heavy. the weight of it frustrated me (probably also because I was still a "child", not strong enough). Board was also some old worn stuff, mistral maui '84 (66cm wide, 205l).

Since then I never tried it again. Now I'm a total watersports freak and want to add windsurf into my "H2O-style" life.


Now I will rather stick to a bit "newer" equipment (like 2010+). I also saw a rig on sale that is ok for my budget; 4.0 sail, 100% carbon mast, from 2012.

1. what sail size should i look for? I was thinking to start with something small such as 4.0-5.0, just to understand whole concept of sailing, something small, light and easy to manoeuvre. When I'will overgrow it, I will still probably keep it for very windy days.

the weight of a rig really concerns me. rig I mentioned before include 100% carbon mast, 1.5 kg. But I don't think that starting with full carbon mast is a good idea as it will bump a lot. Should I rather stick on something like 35%?

2. the board. What width, length, volume and shape should I look for? I have 53 kg.
I surf and SUP a lot, so in past couple of years I improved my balance. but still, windsurf is something totally different. I was looking at used SB futura 141l or Fanatic shark 160l, both (I guess) wide enough. Something that I won't really overgrow after a couple of months, but still big enough to start on.

What do you suggest me?

Thank you all! Cheers

Don't worry about a 100% carbon mast, I'm sure it's probably stronger than you are, they are extremely hard to break and may never need to be replaced.

Board width mean a lot in SUPing for stability, not so much in windsurfing, volume is more important. You want to be able to stay upright when the wind is very light, so the board volume and the sail you are holding, will determine the ease of that unlike board width. A freeride type shape is good for learning, and you'll be able to keep with it when you get better on windy days in rough water. Go to a wave board, assuming waves are your ultimate goal, after you become proficient at waterstarts, uphauling in the ocean is usually an exercise in futility.

Weight, the board and rig may feel heavy when carrying them, but when using them, they are basically weightless. Only when waterstarting or uphauling will the rig (only) feel heavy, but still, rigs now days are much lighter than back when you first tried.

The one most important thing to work on while learning, after you get the basics, waterstarting, even more important than gybing, people go for years working on their gybes, while being able to sail very well in the ocean and waves. But if you can't waterstart, you don't even belong out in the waves.

Have fun and welcome to the tribe.

Check your SUP it may have a screw hole for a mast foot - if so you could use it as a starting board assuming you and not supping on something under 8"6. You will already know your way well aroubnd the sup which will help with balance etc. Buy the sail and rig and thenyou could make the board decision later...

I was about your size when I started.
depending on how much wind you get, a freeride sail around 4.5 - 5 m in sail size is good for learning.
Some carbon content in the mast is ideal, but you don't want 100%.
Board - a freeride board, around 150-160L to start. The Futura or Shark would be good, but you will outgrow both of those fairly soon. No matter, they will have good resale value, because lots of people are looking for those sizes. The shark is probably the better board for a beginner. The Futura is a bit more speed oriented.

I now use sails 4m - 7.5 depending on wind, and boards 63L - 111L depending on wind, so that's where you will be expecting to go

Happy sailing

The weight of your rig is only become a problem if you still have to uphaul all the time. Basically once you are able to sail competently hooked in a harness, you never have to care too much about its weight.

So the best investment one can have, besides some suitable gear, is water starting. This is because the wind now works for you rather than against you. Yes, water starting can be hard too, but who said windsurfing is very easy ? I believe water starting is the best down payment (if you allow me to use the financial jargon) if you intent to keep sailing, and most importantly, actually enjoying it, and with some energy left driving home after a good sail.

Please note also that I mentioned "harness". That is another technique you want to make it compulsory in your windsurfing tool-bag.

Like John F. Kennedy said about the moon landing..."We do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard".

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NEpaddle said..
hello H2O lovers!
I also saw a rig on sale that is ok for my budget; 4.0 sail, 100% carbon mast, from 2012.

Select to expand quote

Windxtasy said..

Some carbon content in the mast is ideal, but you don't want 100%.


Happy sailing

Just wondering.
If the 100% carbon mast is included in a deal which is affordable....... why not? Sounds like a good deal.

For the board........ I learned how to sail on a 145L , but at the time I was 86 kg. Seems to me, at 53kg, a 130-140L should be enough to learn on, and you can keep it as your "big" board later when you progress to smaller stuff.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

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Windxtasy said..
I was about your size when I started.
depending on how much wind you get, a freeride sail around 4.5 - 5 m in sail size is good for learning.
Some carbon content in the mast is ideal, but you don't want 100%.
Board - a freeride board, around 150-160L to start. The Futura or Shark would be good, but you will outgrow both of those fairly soon. No matter, they will have good resale value, because lots of people are looking for those sizes. The shark is probably the better board for a beginner. The Futura is a bit more speed oriented.

I now use sails 4m - 7.5 depending on wind, and boards 63L - 111L depending on wind, so that's where you will be expecting to go

Happy sailing

+ 1
Weight of the rig is important for us weak females-( I'm 64kgs) my partner is the same height and weight as me but SO much stronger because he's a bloke..grr. 75% carbon should be ok? The main problem with high carbon masts ( other than dropping them) is don't leave it rigged out in the hot sun because a 100% carbon mast can easily break when it gets hot like that.People have had them rigged on the shore in the sun and then gone to use them and they break. I keep mine in the shade or in the water once rigged so no issues yet and love the lightweight.Its the only way I can carry a larger 7.5m sail- be too heavy with a normal mast.
A lesser carbom mast wouldn't be as bad but rigging and leaving it in the shade on a hot day is still a good habit to get into.

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Battle said..

NEpaddle said..
hello H2O lovers!
I also saw a rig on sale that is ok for my budget; 4.0 sail, 100% carbon mast, from 2012.

Windxtasy said..

Some carbon content in the mast is ideal, but you don't want 100%.


Happy sailing

Just wondering.
If the 100% carbon mast is included in a deal which is affordable....... why not? Sounds like a good deal.

For the board........ I learned how to sail on a 145L , but at the time I was 86 kg. Seems to me, at 53kg, a 130-140L should be enough to learn on, and you can keep it as your "big" board later when you progress to smaller stuff.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

100% carbon are a lot more fragile, and break more easily. As a learner you will be banging your mast on things a lot so you want something a bit tougher.
If 100% comes with the sail, get the package and them try to sell that mast and buy one of 50 - 75% carbon. Same brand as the sail is best. There is good resale in second hand masts so you should not have trouble selling the 100% one.

145L will be too big as even a light wind board for 53kg. Too slow and so stable there will be no challenge at all. I am 56 -60kg and my light wind board is 111L

There are booms with a new shape in the cross-section. For people with small hands, it is less tiring to have a narrower diameter boom. The new egg-shape boom arms still have the strength in the direction it is needed, but reduce the force required to grip the boom.

eg.



The amount of energy required reduces considerably when you can waterstart and when you can use a harness. That then allows you to spend more time learning moves like gybes and tacks, so I would suggest focusing on progressing with using the harness and waterstarting from early on and you should make faster progress.

Its also worth starting on flat shallow water rather than deep water and waves - if you can.

thank you seabreezers!

unfortunately my SUP boards are pure race or short SUP surf boards without windsurf option..

jeah, I know, water start is "urgent", but as a beginner I will uphaul all the time.. that's why I want my gear to be light, to make my first steps on windsurf more comfortable.

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+ 1
Weight of the rig is important for us weak females-( I'm 64kgs) my partner is the same height and weight as me but SO much stronger because he's a bloke.

I agree!

I also looked up for other options. Kit with 2014 futura + 4.7 Neil Pryde Search 2008, 35% mast, old boom.. Rig is a bit older than my limit.. But I believe that it will work ok. I would try to sell mast and buy one with 75% + carbon. What do you think?

The rig on sale that I mentioned last time has 4.0 sail, do you think that this is too small? I post a picture below of conditions here for the next days, this are conditions that I will mostly sail in (probably) + I will start in shallow flat water. Mast included is 370 cm. How big sail can I rig on this thing? 4.5 max? ( in case i decide to slightly bigger sail)

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145L will be too big as even a light wind board for 53kg. Too slow and so stable there will be no challenge at all. I am 56 -60kg and my light wind board is 111L

do you think that something around 130L should suit me best?

this week I'm going to surf expo, I hope that I will found some proper gear

Select to expand quote

terminal said..
There are booms with a new shape in the cross-section. For people with small hands, it is less tiring to have a narrower diameter boom. The new egg-shape boom arms still have the strength in the direction it is needed, but reduce the force required to grip the boom.

Wow, that looks great! never seen it before. are this things much more expensive than "normal" masts?


Cheers!

145L will be too big as even a light wind board for 53kg. I meant as a light wind board once you are an accomplished sailor. For now 145L would be good

Select to expand quote

terminal said..
There are booms with a new shape in the cross-section. For people with small hands, it is less tiring to have a narrower diameter boom. The new egg-shape boom arms still have the strength in the direction it is needed, but reduce the force required to grip the boom.

Wow, that looks great! never seen it before. are this things much more expensive than "normal" masts?

This is a website that has the 'new school' shape boom arms and you can compare prices with round shaped boom arms. Price variations will vary with different manufacturers.
http://www.mkwindsurfing.co.uk/booms_solus.aspx


A 3.7m sail will only suit masts up to a maximum of 4.5m (some manufacturers, 4.2m).

It is also important to match the sail with the mast - especially in terms of bend characteristics.
There are a range of bend characteristics for masts and even manufacturers change their 'philosopy' for masts and sometimes change to a different bend curve, so you can't assume a manufacturer's sails will always suit the same mast bend.

I think it is best to start off with a good mast/sail/boom combination. It will always be good no matter how good you get.

The board is different in that you need a bigger board until you get good enough to use the harness and waterstart.

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NEpaddle said..
thank you seabreezers!

unfortunately my SUP boards are pure race or short SUP surf boards without windsurf option..

jeah, I know, water start is "urgent", but as a beginner I will uphaul all the time.. that's why I want my gear to be light, to make my first steps on windsurf more comfortable.

+ 1
Weight of the rig is important for us weak females-( I'm 64kgs) my partner is the same height and weight as me but SO much stronger because he's a bloke.

I agree!

I also looked up for other options. Kit with 2014 futura + 4.7 Neil Pryde Search 2008, 35% mast, old boom.. Rig is a bit older than my limit.. But I believe that it will work ok. I would try to sell mast and buy one with 75% + carbon. What do you think?

The rig on sale that I mentioned last time has 4.0 sail, do you think that this is too small? I post a picture below of conditions here for the next days, this are conditions that I will mostly sail in (probably) + I will start in shallow flat water. Mast included is 370 cm. How big sail can I rig on this thing? 4.5 max? ( in case i decide to slightly bigger sail)

145L will be too big as even a light wind board for 53kg. Too slow and so stable there will be no challenge at all. I am 56 -60kg and my light wind board is 111L

do you think that something around 130L should suit me best?

this week I'm going to surf expo, I hope that I will found some proper gear

terminal said..
There are booms with a new shape in the cross-section. For people with small hands, it is less tiring to have a narrower diameter boom. The new egg-shape boom arms still have the strength in the direction it is needed, but reduce the force required to grip the boom.

Wow, that looks great! never seen it before. are this things much more expensive than "normal" masts?


Cheers!

Don't go out in wind any stronger than c 12kts and make sure the wind is blowing onshore so if anything goes wrong you will get blown ashore. best to have someone else there as well or let people know where you go.

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A 3.7m sail will only suit masts up to a maximum of 4.5m (some manufacturers, 4.2m).

Apologies - I meant to write

A 370 mast will only suit sails up to a maximum of 4.5m (some manufacturers, 4.2m).

My NP 40th 4.8m and 4.5m both fit on a 370.
They're up for sale if you want them