crustysailor said...

As I newb I was hoping not to start another 'whats the best board for a beginner thread' which I'm sure everybody loves, so sorry if it goes that way.

20 years ago I had started with a Dufour Wing that was 25 ft long,

they would have been good value back in those days crustysailor, my first board was a tenkate runner 12.5ft and weighed 19kg's and the xp windrush was about 21 k'gs, it must have been a heavy sucker

What's with this 20 year hiatus? It's like the windsurfing world stopped around 1990 for a whole lot of us and we're all coming back again! Good stuff.

I've only just come back early this year with around the same 20 year break. I chose to go with longboards this time around as I want to get back into the surf, as where I left off, it's windsurfing's version of mal riding (slow progress though). This style of board can be an option for you too instead of short, fat and wide (SFW). But....

The modern SFW boards are quite floaty too and would be easier for kids to handle as the boards are very stable...I've been told. Are you in Sydney? If so contact one of this forum's sponsors www.windsurfnsnow.com.au and I recall they had a used modern HiFly beginner/intermediate board for sale a little while ago, it has a retractable centreboard which offers even more stability and allows you to point higher and get home if you stray too far downwind. They can put together a package for you too out of their used range if you choose to go that way. It would save you lots of time in trying to re-educate yourself with what gear is suitable.

Modern gear has become more technical, in description anyway, and there seems to have been more disciplines than back then so it can be complicated and confusing if you don't do your homework first. Apart from "beginner" boards also look at large volume styles as another option, over 150 litres to 190 litres should do the trick. Dufour Wings and TC Runners were both around 220 litres as a reference. You don't need that much volume nowadays as the width can make up for it.

If you come across sails that are suggested as suitable and seem too large eg. 6.5-7.0, believe them as they are not as powerful as the same size sails back then and are more forgiving. They spill excess air via the top of the trailing edge of the sail but to do this the sail requires more area, hence the bigger sounding numbers. They are appoximately 0.5m2 larger nowadays.

Avoid cammed sails at this stage too as they require a little more fiddling and set-up knowledge and not very beginner friendly.

Like you the first thing I noticed when I started my research was the shape of modern boards, I still think the SFW ones look weird, particularly the "Formula" racing models.

Good luck with your search.

crustysailor...

There's still sailors in Geelong.. you've just got to know where to look. Any time there's wind with a bit of west in it go check out Point Henry but dont drive to the point turn onto the first dirt road on the left when you get to the Smelter. Follow that road down and your sure to see some sailors out. Would love to show you through all the new gear!


Videos of some of the local crew...

Hey Crustry,

you might want to consider a cheap Gumtree/classifieds old Windsurfer OD for very few hundreds. Not really recommended, but will give you a feel for getting started again, and you sell at the end of the summer or before, for the same price, once you know more where you want to head. It's sort of a rental.

The next try in the food chain, for the kind of sailing that you describe, would be a modern Windsurfer OD. A bit more expensive, but cheaper than full-blown multiple modern gear, allows up to 20 knots, social sailing, bit of freestyle, etc. For getting into shape, nothing like getting caught with those big barges in 15+ knots.

Then there's the Kona, arguably more of a all-arounder. Bit more pricey?

Good luck and welcome back "in the fold".

crustysailor said...

Thanks Guys,
Keef: The Dofour had the best ad, nice french girl unfortunately missing 50% of her bathers
mobydisk: I understood about 1/3 of what you listed, cheers. I had gathered about 150 or 160 lt is the go, but how hard is it to uphaul a 7.0m? (my largest used to be a 6 from memory) I take it the old fluro pink wave sail I still have is not going to be compatible in anyway?
I've not seen a mast foot/universal of the new styles, but is it possible to fit an 'old' rig onto a SFW style board?
I'm just thinking along the lines of saving a few $$ and trying to find the suitable board first.

Oh yeah, I'm in Geelong, just down the road from Torquay. Seems like everyone down here plays with kites though!

I leant on a Dufour wing.. great until the wind hits 15kts + ( I'm a 'lightweight' ).Wedge the foot up against the mastbase..

update: Looks like i've got he go ahead to splurge on new gear instead (yeah I must have been a good husband/dad/slave at some time),plus pricing of some of the entry s/h gear seems to be getting close to new anyhow.

At this stage it may be either a JP Funster 160 Package at around $2800 with NP Zen, or Starboard Go. If you where starting again, would you have any preference betwwen the 2? Does anyone have any comments or experience on either?

And finally, the JP package is from SHQ. Not wanting to cut the sponsors lunch in anyway, as without them there may be no seabreeze, but do you normally pay rrp on this sort of gear. ie is that what you'd expect to pay?

as always, I appreciate your comments.
cheers

Hi Watto5,
There's nowhere 'local' as such.

The nearest Jp dealer isn't into boards much anymore, even though he's still on the website. The next closest is SHQ around the other side of the bay. I know I should take your advice and try a few, part part of me thinks it's a big hassle, as dumb as that sounds, and just stump up the cash and be happy.
I did ask about superceeded models, but was told that these styles of entry board did not change to much, and as such there's no old stock or previous models.
If it was kites, that would be a different thing down this way,there's a few stores. I rarely see boarders anymore, certainly not as much anyhow.

You may be right about the Funster (at 160L). Maybe the Funride (145L) would be the way to go, albeit with a little more of a challenge initially. At least they'll fit inside the Territory.

I dont think you can lose with either board as they are both great designs. More importantly your getting a good quality rig that can be used on any further purchases in the future. One thing to consider is that most of the local sailing spots (more suited to learning) require a weed fin so maybe consider that as a additional purchase..

Cant wait to see you on the water...

Crusty,

At point Henry tends to be two separate areas. Kiters on the point itself and we tend to stick more down south into stingray bay. The other great spots to get back into it is Lake Connewarre (off brindsmeads Lane Leopold) and also Swan Bay Queenscliff. The great thing about where we live is we've got a spot sailable in any wind direction!!!

PM me if you need more details....

Go for it Crusty! Pick any of 'em! If I'm having a ball "coming back" you will too! It's a hoot!

Crusty ...

Stingray Bay... Ive only ever seen one shark there and that was a banjo shark that was flying through the air after being picked up by a fellow sailor and ceremoniously thrown at my head!

Never had any worries... The other side of the point thats another story!!