hiya all!

I've been windsurfing on old equipment when i was younger, the majority of it is straight out of the 80's i'm currently weighing in at about 100kg i'm wondering what volume board i should be looking at getting? also are there any good intermediate boards that i should look into getting?

thanks.

Im about 95kg and started on a JP Funster 160L board as a beginner to intermediate.

Probably would have progressed a little faster though if I had been on a 180 - 240L board (which we now have for my wife to learn on)

I have now stepped down (basically once I got planing) to a 135L JP X-Cite Ride and that is my current go to board.

My next step once I get my planing carve gybes down will be to about 110L-115L because the 135L does get a bit big in the bump and jump.

as usual - depends on:
where you sail ie conditions
what shape you are in
can you take lessons
can you rent stuff

i am just under 100 kilos and used a longboard for years ie 200+ liters
first shortboard was a 160 liter /79 cm which i still use in 20 to 40 kph winds with 8.x sails
after that i purchased a 94 cm wide FreeFormula for early planing in light winds, 124 liter for higher winds and a race longboard
my race longboard gets the most usage - because i use it at the chalet lake , local river and in lighter winds
i tried to teach a bunch of dudes - one who was also about 100 kilos, he had difficulties with the FreeFormula AND the longboard
i realized volume is vital - the more the better TO START
if you pass this stage quickly, what to do with the board ??
THAT is why i suggest lessons or rentals at first - narrow it down - pardon the pun

GOOD LUCK, GOOD WINDS
welcome back to the best sport ever

http://joewindsurfer.blogspot.ca/2011/05/heavyweights-and-windsurfing.html

Tiger101 I have also just returned to windsurfing after windsurfing in the 80's. I started again in January and my 1980's Tiga 295 and Storm 10 were the talk of Melville waters. I sailed my old gear for 3 months as often as I could asking advice and taking note of what everyone else was sailing.

I am also 100kg+ Most people said that I should buy something that is Freeride and around 130 litres in volume. This is about the volume of my old plastic Tiga. As we have a little bit of skill already we should be able to move onto smaller boards quite quickly. As I only sail in the river I thought the 131 Startboard Carve would be the go. I have got one on order for September with a quiver of sails 6.1, 6.5 and 7.0 I might have to buy a bigger sail for the light days.
The best advice I can give you is get down to your location and talk to all the regulars and take note of what they are sailing. I was lucky some of the regulars allowed me a go on their boards so I could have a try before I buy. The regular sailers are always swapping their gear so you might be able to pick up something second hand. I found that boards with volume around 125-145 were difficult to find. I ended up ordering/ buying a new board for September. All my sails I have picked up second hand. Some of my gear is a real mis match so I will improve my gear as my skills develop and I work out what type of sailing I am going to do.
Good luck and enjoy.

How skilled were you when you stopped? If you could you get up and plane, use a harness and jybe on a short board from the 80s then it's like riding a bike, you don't forget. Borrow or test drive a freeride board around 120 to 130 litres and an appropriate sized camberred sail 7 to 8m for 15knots, 6 to 7m for 20knots and give it a go.

I got back into it on a 250 litre raceboard and 10m sail 3 years ago. I now also have a 111litre freerace board which is a real blast. I weigh 86kg.

The gear (boards, sails, fins' booms and masts) is so much better these days. If you had any ability back then, you'll pick it up in no time.

Good luck and have fun.

Select to expand quote

John340 said..

How skilled were you when you stopped? If you could you get up and plane, use a harness and jybe on a short board from the 80s then it's like riding a bike, you don't forget. Borrow or test drive a freeride board around 120 to 130 litres and an appropriate sized camberred sail 7 to 8m for 15knots, 6 to 7m for 20knots and give it a go.

This is correct. I drifted out of windsurfing in the early naughties and got back into it in 2007. Never completely gave up but sailed very irregularly and kept my mid nineties equipment. I purchased a fairly new freeride board and found it incredibly easy to sail. It was so stable and relaxing to ride compared to the older skinny boards.

New gear is so much better l agree wide boards are so much more stable.if you after speed then the traditional narrow & longer boards are the pick.

Tiger, I did a similar thing a few years ago. You will not believe the improvement in gear. I weigh 68kg, and ended up with a 105 litre and 78 litre board. You're gonna have a blast!!