57cm wide might be a bit tippy for a beginner, but it depends on how co-ordinated or willing to learn you are...

Does it have a centreboard? (big fin looking thing in the middle of the board, in addition to the normal 'skeg' or fin at the back)

Since you've already bought it, take it down to your local spot on a windy day and ask someone to give you a hand rigging it up. That's probably the best way to figure out how to set it up and see if it's big enough to learn on.

Whereabouts do you live?

Virgin...man I thought this was going to be sex-ed


maybe I could have learned something

Don't ever ever ever let Hardie take you fishing on his yacht

Mobydisc said...

Those dimensions indicate its an older type of slalom board. It won't be suitable for learning unless you are extremely athletic and a quick learner.

As mentioned above, get some lessons from a windsurfing school. If you can't do that look at getting a second hand windsurfer brand one design for $100 or less.

How wide is a one design?

Mobydisc said...

Those dimensions indicate its an older type of slalom board. It won't be suitable for learning unless you are extremely athletic and a quick learner.

If it is an old slalom board, it is likely going to have the problem of track too far forward on the board. I took my Bombora Xit out a few weeks ago in big chop and I was surprised how difficult it was to get into the straps. I then went home and took some track to front strap measurements and came up with:

Bombora Xit (1995) - 87cm
Kona One (2007) - 50cm (back position)
I then looked around at some pictures of modern boards on supplier's web sites to find most modern boards appear to have a back of track to middle front foot strap measurement between 43 - 50cm.
Eg:

This picture shows about 52cm if scale is compared (3.5m long). I measured 50cm so it is about right.

Have a read of this comparison of old and new boards, especially the track bit:
http://www.boardseekermag.com/special_features/equipment/windsurfing-board-evolution-039.html

bighen said...

g day just looking 4 some help i bought some cheap windsurfing gear and was wondering if it would suit a first timer board 2.8m long 570mm wind and100 to 150 thick...

In my opinion, no. You need a board with a centreboard and some length to prevent you going down wind as you learn in lighter winds. I agree with others that you would be better off with some lessons. The board you have bought was likely ditched by the owner because it is harder to ride than modern intermediate/advanced short boards.

frant said...

Find a dumpster and place that stuff into it. Then decide if you want to take up windsurfing. It will need an initial outlay of a couple of thousand dollars for a GO board and some new sails. You will be able to recoup most of this outlay when you trade up to intermediate gear or sell your stuff if you don't get bitten by the bug. Harsh but true- cheap old stuff is exactly that and is of no benefit for learning

I don't really agree with that Frant, sure that's one way to go but I got six months very enjoyable learning out of my $200 setup... it was enough to then let me go out and get a 105 litre board and sail that.

You get what you pay for, but there are also bargains to be had if you're a tightwad like me

nobody said...

Amazing. It has been over an hour and nobody, sorry, no person has flamed me for using the word centreboard in a positive way.

Perhaps that's because we're not sure if bighen is going to be sailing on a pond in 5 knots.. in which case a centreboard could be good. (you could take it out and use it to paddle back to shore )

bighen, make it easy for yourself, grab some lessons on some modern learner gear. (learner boards can be up to 1m wide, and you have to really try to fall off them!) You should be up and sailing around in a couple of hours. You'll also pick up tips on how to rig, carry and use the gear, and if you decide that you really can't stand windsurfing you won't be stuck with a bunch of stuff to store or sell.

If, on the other hand, you love it, then you will have moved past the stage where a huge board and small sail is useful to you, and can buy some gear that will last you for a bit longer.

Let us know where you are, and if there's someone local, they'll probably be able to steer you in the right direction.

OceanBlue64 said...

Well seeing as I only started windsurfing at xmas time, I can certainly vouch for what Frant says. I bought a GO etc and have progressed quite quickly (well I think so anyway). The good thing about a wider board is that its easy to uphaul in even in 15 - 20 knot winds while you are still learning. I do have older stuff here that I bought off ebay before I had found this forum..and to be honest I didnt even bother trying to use it. After reading all the comments on here, I saved and went out and bought the GO. Havent looked back. I will keep the older gear to use when I get a little better and am confident with water starts.
The only down side (if you can call it that) is that once you get going and find out how enjoyable the sport is, you will bore all your non-windsurfing friends with all the details of your last sail, you will spend hours looking at the wind charts hoping to see green arrows and you will forever be looking at new gear and wondering how long it will take you to save for it.

top stuff o-b glad to here your enjoying yourself