Ok so I am about to buy my first board and rig.I am about 100kgs going to sail in the bay. I am aware of the fact that i need a high volume board with a fair amount of width eg( 150lt 87 wide) is what im looking at.My question is should I be worried about how old the board is? Its about a 2003 model.

Hey Mate, I wouldnt worry about an older board however if I was you I would ask allot of questions about its history, pick it up, have a good look, and check it carefully for any cracks or repairs.

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Murarrie said...

Hey Mate, I wouldnt worry about an older board however if I was you I would ask allot of questions about its history, pick it up, have a good look, and check it carefully for any cracks or repairs.

thanx for the tip good advice will do for sure.

Its nearly ten years old so unless its been cared for with great passion it will have some dings, dispite what the sales people will tell you the principles of boards really havent changed that much, get the best you can afford and the volume/ sizes you mention should be fine, have fun!

Agree on the board.

If you're going to splash out at all, think about the stuff that will be with you throughout your windsurfing career eg boom, mast, wetsuit.

The rest of the stuff comes and goes but a light mast, a solid boom and a warm good fitting wetsuit are things that everyone benefits from.

Hi Kpb,
I am a windsurfer over 100kg, in fact closer to 115kg
I have been sailing for along time. You dont have to go to a 150ltr 87cm wide board just because your 100kg. In fact a board around 120ltr-130ltr will float you fine.
Depends on if you are ready for a smaller board.
Once you master the 150ltr board you will want to go to a smaller shortboard right away. I was out of windsurfing for a while then throught I would get a long board to ease back into the sport (which is great fun), but its not as fast and maneuverable as a smaller board.

I dont think you will get an older board (8-10yrs old) which will be all that suitable in terms of length and width. Volume yes, but the older board wont handle near the same as a newer model of the same volume. You should be able to get a 2 year old near new board for just under $1000 second hand.

In terms of older slalom boards, I have found them to be less 'floaty' for the same volume of new boards. I think it has to do with the width and length of the board. I would go for something around 73cm wide and 250cm long. As a beginner or even for me I like to have the foot straps able to be set in board. Alot of advanced slalom boards new and older dont give you this option. I tend to wonder if because I am heavier I need the foot strap position more inboard because soon as I step out on the rail I usually de-power my board, maybe I am not powered up enough but when I am powered up I have no trouble controlling my board and rig from a slightly more inboard foot strap position.

PS If you do go to a 120-130ltr board you will need to run a decent sail size in order to get planning in moderate winds. My opinion is something in the 7.5-8.5mtr range.
Dont forget the fin size, you cant get away with a small fin either. At 100kg, you will need to get all the power you can. 44+cm slalom fin, big sail and you should be good to go.
Im no expert, but these have been my findings and at my weight I do get some good days planning. Admittedly I am more often not on the plane when everyone else is zooming around in the moderate winds. I need a good 18-20 kts with a 6.5mtr sail to get planning. I need a steady 15kts on my 7.5mtr sail before I am planning.

Thanx heaps for the great advice everyone I will really take that onboard when looking for my board and rig.Hope to see you all on the water in a few weeks