Hi all, would be grateful for a little piece of advice

Looking to buy a board and a rig, not sure what to choose. I have to say, variety is not always a good thing

I am 180cm tall, weigh 75 kilos. Have had two two-hour lessons on a 205L JP Funster in a very light wind. Thoroughly enjoyed it, did not struggle at all except not having much power at times. I think I am hooked on now. I am in the Devonport area, will be sailing when I have time, rather than when the weather is perfect.

Have done some research about boards, looks like I need a relatively large one with a centreboard. I might be wrong, but it looks like Starboard is the only one who offers boards with retractable centreboards and Clipperbox system, which closes the centreboard box flat and prevents water from entering through the bottom, so there is no drag at higher speeds. They offer Start, Rio and Go versions. My choice was between Rio M and Go Windsurfer, but the problem is I have never tried those boards. Haven't even seen them. I hope you can help me.

Another point is, I am going to keep this board, even if I grow out of it and buy another one for stronger winds.

Hi mate,

"windsurfing Tasmania" has learner boards available to members including both starboard Go and 2 sizss of Rio. I would get hold of some of these for a few weeks first up.

this will give you an idea of the size suited to you and also may actually get you past the point where you need a centerboard. That way the first boare you buy May be better suited to keeping long term for those lighter wind days.

Tasdoc
The starboard rio small or medium would be a great board for you, hire one from windsurfing tas and give it a try.

The BIGGER 200 litre go style boards are way too big for any advancing on for your size.,, great for learning on but not to purchase. Similar to a jp funster 205

Starboard Rio, jp explorer and Fanatic viper are all exactly the same sort of board ( i have seen them all).

All have the same centreboard case design. system, System you explain is universal these days pretty much.
Basically it just comes down to getting the right size board from any manufacture at the right price.

Note: very hard to find new stock at the moment of these boards as of big demand around the country,

A little tip for all reading, if thinking of buying new i suggest a purchase soon as most sailboards will go up nearly 20% next season.

Thanks for the tips,

I guess, it's a good idea to try first and then buy what you a comfortable with.
Just emailed my membership application to get the ball rolling

Tasdoc contact Paul Tenteye who goes under the name of Rustbucket on Seabreeze he's got the learner boards in the north

Hi tasdoc, if you want some help with rigging or learning, i sail at Port sorell a lot and are happy to help

Could not do better than that tasdoc

Perks knows his stuff

Tasdoc, recently got back into sailing myself after a long 'hiatus', and took up the opportunity to hire a board from Windsurfing Tas.
Equipment wise, things have changed considerably since I was sailing too many years ago and I found the new boards sooo much easier to get back in the swing of things. ( early planing etc) You have done the same research I did by the sounds of it and I could not have been happier with the help and advice that 'Ant' Houston provided when I picked up the board and rig. Take up the chance to grab any worthwhile tips from the guys and gals on this site as well. (rigging and harness positions etc) It is truly invaluable when it comes to your time on the water ( or IN the water as it was in my case) and will save you a lot of mumbling and gnashing of teeth.
(this is especially helpful if you are sailing solo or have no one else to bounce off as was / is in my case)
Get out there mate, enjoy.

Like some other posters here I'd suggest taking one of the windsurf tas boards for a while, seeing how you go. After you master the basics then you have a wider range of boards you can choose from (as you don't need the most stable and basic beginner board to get through the early learning phase).

Before you buy a board, maybe try a few. See Anthony at Port Sorrell, or come along to Lagoon Bay one day.

I am a big believer in centreboards if you can't get out when the winds are ideal as they give a larger range if sailable wind conditions. Given where you live, you need to consider where you would sail- Leven River, Devonport, Mersey or Port Sorrell. There is a very wide range of wind and sea conditions between these locations.

I have a starboard "start" (the most basic beginner board) which I use for teaching, light wind days etc- and it is still heaps of fun.

Most of the brands have sealing centreboard gaskets, not just starboard. If I was to buy another beginner/allround board, I think the starboard rio is very hard to beat. Still wide enough for stability and a bit smaller than the start for higher performance.

If you need a few more lessons or tips see Anthony (see above), or call me if you can come to Trevallyn or Lagoon Bay. Happy to help out.

Clarence

Hi Tasdoc, I've also recently got back into windsurfing after a long break (like Seapig). I'm keen to try out more water time at Port Sorell and Lagoon. I find the cross/onshore NWerlies are a challenge on my local beach (Turners Beach), so keen to get a bit more protected sailing. Could be a chance to share a drive up to Low head of the opportunity comes up.

Mort

Hey guys if your looking for flat water in a N Westerly at Ulverstone from 3/4 tide and lower its usually dead flat and shallow a long way out at Picnic Point West Ulv. in between the reefs at the western end of the beach. Turn off Penguin road drive over the train line and left past the caravan park then right past toilets.

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T 11 said..
Hey guys if your looking for flat water in a N Westerly at Ulverstone from 3/4 tide and lower its usually dead flat and shallow a long way out at Picnic Point West Ulv. in between the reefs at the western end of the beach. Turn off Penguin road drive over the train line and left past the caravan park then right past toilets.

Nice! I'll check that out at the next opportunity.
Still keen on Low head for the sociability aspect, after all my sailing so far has been on my Pat Malone.

I have a 2013 180l Rio S (small), photos below. A great all-round board with centerboard. The excuse for getting it was as a board for the kids to learn and progress on. They love it but it turns out that I like it too especially for those days at the start of the season where I may not be in great physical condition and my technique is rusty, the wind it really up and down and coming from an awkward direction or I just want to tune out and have an easy sail.

The Rio S is good for learning, but it can feel a bit wobbly when up-hauling (I weigh 77kg), and I think the M or even the L would also be a good option there. However when you get the S moving at a reasonable speed it becomes very solid and I have found it great for practicing gybing and tacking technique, it has a great balance of volume and performance for that. It also handles brilliantly in the chop, the bottom V and the size and weight and nose rocker mean you don't need to think too much about navigating the chop, it never seems to want to bury the nose even off-the-wind at speed. A plus is that it performs reasonably well in stronger winds, I have had it going 25 knots without too much difficulty. Compared to slalom boards it is really forgiving and easy to sail, as it is not so lively because of the increased size and weight. The centerboard works well, giving OK upwind ability at low speed. When planing you want the centerboard raised otherwise the windward rail starts to lift up. The centerboard can be easily raised of lowered while sailing using your foot once you get the hang of it.

I find the Rio is a board on which I can just enjoy being out there knowing whatever happens I can get home, whether the wind picks up or dies. I am keeping it for those "I want an easy sail and a change from slalom gear" days and for the kids of course. I highly recommend it.

Got a board. Thanks Paul

Hey Tasdoc, well done on getting hold of a RIO!! What size (S,M,L) did you eventually decide on and where did you get hold of it?

Just re-read the last couple of posts, maybe you grabbed a 'borrow' board from Windsurf TAS north? If you did, brilliant idea, these guys and gals will put you right with good and tips etc.

Yep. A very nice beginner's set from Windsurf TAS. A Rio M and a 5.0 sail with a mast and a boom. The only thing that is missing is a harness, but I do not think I am going to need it anytime soon

Mate, borrow, beg a harness ASAP and wear it every time you head out. You will read or hear tips along the lines of 'Commit to the harness and hook in early'.
Best tip ever. The first time you hook in and turn the board down wind and get it planning will be an experience you will always remember. Its like stepping out of a HQ Holden and being whipped away in a F18 fighter jet, very cool experience He he he, you're addiction to this sport is about to go ballistic.
I reckon that all of the 'wave jumping - forward looping - seasoned campaigner's' reading this will still remember the very first time that the conditions were right, the sail set correctly and they pointed the nose of the board down wind and simply took off
If a dusty old fat fart like me can still get a grin on every time I think about it ................ second best memory i have.

Sorry , just thought i would clear up the harness with learner boards.
The learner boards from windsurfing Tas dont come with harness and lines, for a reason.

.Your first goes at windsurfing are done in calmer winds and you spend more time trying to get going than worrying at all about a harness, let me tell you it is something you want want to do until you become much more proficient.
. The rigs that are supplied with the club boards are pure learning rigs- a big step back from a performance rig that needs a harness, in fact

some of the rigs have a fixed length boom that harness lines can not even be attached to.

. . MOST IMPORTANT is the costly damage that would inevitably occur to the boards/booms and sails from catapults if harnesses were supplied to all learners.
Once you have had a few goes on the club boards and then have become confident on your own gear is a great time to buy a harness.

Have Fun, Damien

Fair call to that Damo, especially with club gear. I was using my own rigs at that stage and definitely did do damage to kit via numerous catapults.
I will keep my enthusiasm under control from now on

Is it sailable at all?

A little light on that forecast but I think if the wind swings (southerly at the moment) it may be good for none planning learning after lunch

Had my first weekend on the water. Still unsure what board is the best for me, but sooo happy, that I have invested in a really nice and warm wetsuit

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Tasdoc said..
Had my first weekend on the water. Still unsure what board is the best for me, but sooo happy, that I have invested in a really nice and warm wetsuit

I invested in a pair of Rip Curl booties last week. They are terrific. I felt like I had heaters on my feet when I got out.

25-30 knots for this weekend in Port Sorell. I guess, it is too much for a beginner. Should I try some inland waters? Lake Barrington?

As a beginner on a big board. Welllll, maybe not the best day to be on the water. No reason you can't drop in and say hello though and check out the action. Sunday may be more your style. I'm thinking Lagoon Bay, though may be a bit far to travel if you are in the West.

Tasdoc probably far too windy but it never hurts to try so long as its on shore wind and you have a good escape route like shallow water and a beach. Can be heaps of fun in these conditions but stay safe and sail with a buddy

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Tasdoc said..
... Should I try some inland waters? Lake Barrington?

Potentially cold (and deep) water and disturbed wind on Lake Barrington this weekend. The surface water in the lake warms up nicely in summer but gets very cold in winter - my main worry in at this time of the year would be the potential for hypothermia if I got out into the main part of the lake and found it difficult to return . If you are really keen you could give it a go the "enclosed" area (red circle in the first image) near the boat ramp - that would be the best place for testing out the lake conditions. But because of the serious wind forecast, I would suggest going to Port Sorell, trying to find an sheltered area such as Panatana Rivulet (can rig at the park with the kiddies pool and little boat ramp - green circle in the second image) and muck around there for a bit, then pack up and go and look at the speed guys getting serious further downriver .

Up to you, but will be windy, if it's your first time in this strength. maybe worth trying it out in the bay at half tide. Where you can touch, everywhere waist deep.

Good call Tim.
I suggest anyone with club learner boards stick to the the suggested safe learning areas. Please dont go venturing off discovering new sailing spots!!

Down south everyone who borrows gear is aware that they can ONLY use them at Dorans or Cremorne. It was decided that these are the two safest areas for beginners.

Dont know what the guidelines are up North?

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Tasdoc said.. Should I try some inland waters? Lake Barrington?

No. Lake Barrington is a horrible place to sail - the wind gets very messed up with all the steep ridges and gullys around the lake, and swings and swirls and eddies all over the place.
And cold.