Mr66 said...

Am looking for the older style intermediate type board, the models I know of are the Bic Rumba and some version of a Tyronsea 330.

Something around 3m, with centreboard, 120+L.
Only need board/fin/c.board and mast base if not a screw in.

These dont seem to be advertised much, hoping someones got one stashed at home and they wouldnt mind letting it go...

Mate, I would recommend one of the new beginner boards over that any day.
I saw a guy recently on one who had been sailing for about 3 mths, and he was confidently planing in straps and harness.
Those old dungers might have volume, but the new wide fatties are very stable and easy to sail.

I think this was what he was on. The nose pad seem familiar.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~r0yys/2008-Starboard-Go-246-cm-133-litres.aspx?search=iVVAl2umBXmHLC7VP1FIeA%3d%3d

Thanks Ducatist, but I'm in brisbane.


KenHo, I do like the look of the new boards, but dont want to shell out big $ for what I think my use will be at the moment.

I'm using a bic vivace, which I like, but at present whether it be lack of skill or getting the right setup, I feel I'm losing basic practice time because I /it doesnt go upwind enough - ie too much drift w/o the centre board.
Thus for every 1.5 runs I'm walking back up the beach to go again.

Hence the option of training on and older version with c/board just to improve the general skills without walking...

Someone mentioned a JP Funster w c/board, again not looking at 1600$.

Maybe I need a new topic about tips / skills for going upwind better....

Maybe getting a BIG fin might give you better pointability?? instead of forking out $$ on a new(ish) board!
I am getting "back" into it as well and do it on old gear some of that I kept all these years.
Did get a Windrush "longboard" to get me going again.
Seriously heavy and BIG! as my old "whaler" did go to refuse heaven a very long time ago!
It has a charm all of it's own never the less.
Old Windsurf boards lack finesse etc. big time but, so do old cars/bikes compared to the latest offerings in that field.
Some of them are outright classics, being basic with raw power, poor roadholding etc, but,... a lot of fun in their own right!

OK, now you have clarified, I'm inclined to agree with Swoosh that going to a centreboard board is a step backward.
While you might get more apparent time on the water, you won't learn the skills you need to get planing in the harness and straps on your Vivace.
A Vivace is quite a narrow board, with outboard straps, and I would rate it as intermediate to advanced, rather than beginner. Very nice board and I loved mine when I had one.
One of the many traps that novice windsurfers fall into is using old cheap high-performance gear, rather than actual beginner friendly stuff.
It's often the case that race gear gets used little and stays in good condition, hangs about in sheds, and eventually gets sold cheap or given away and goes to exactly the wrong person.
The best thing with the upwind thing, is to choose a tide that will push you back downwind, or just suck it up until you get it right. Even if you get great on a longboard, you still need to learn how to splodge a short-board as a separate skill.
You'd be surprised how much the experienced guys struggle at times to avoid the walk of shame. The time you spend learning how to make a non-planing short-board go upwind now will reward you later wheh the wind drops.
The other thing is, that while I know not everyone can afford it, buying better gear always saves money and wasted effort in the long run.

KenHo said...

..... or just suck it up until you get it right. Even if you get great on a longboard, you still need to learn how to splodge a short-board as a separate skill.
You'd be surprised how much the experienced guys struggle at times to avoid the walk of shame. The time you spend learning how to make a non-planing short-board go upwind now will reward you later wheh the wind drops.

Thanks Ken, yes I will agree that it does sound best to keep on going and learning.
I had wondered if going back to long board wouldn't solve the short board problems.
Not too much worried about "walk of shame", just want to be on the water.

Thanks Swoosh, now have some research to do. As for tacking, yes could manage that on the wide renta - training board, yet to seriously try on the bic in decent conditions.

Anyway more practice this w/e and easter...

For the moment I keeping well clear of anywhere with current.
Can see how easy it would be to get stuck...

Patience - probably another good skill to master.

Mr66 said...

For the moment I keeping well clear of anywhere with current.
Can see how easy it would be to get stuck...

Patience - probably another good skill to master.

Current can be your friend.
At Shearwater, if you sail on a run-in tide, teh wind is against teh tidfe. MAke sit a bit bumpy, buy also keeps you upwind. Ther eis also a shallow bank on the other side where you can try some gybes, tehen stand up if you fall in.
Haircut always knows teh favourable tides, and tends to post on teh ideal days he is going.
Days like today, wiht 12-15 kts are ideal for your stage of learning. Enough to almost plane, not so muich that you get knocked around.
I had a Bombora X-it as my first board when gettign back into windsurfing. I had sailed the old One DEsgn boards about 14 years before that. Itr had possibly teh worst plan shape and boxiest rails for gybing I think you could design, if you really hated windsurfers and wanted to make their life hell. I progressed from that to a Bic Vivace and thought I had died and achieved Nirvana.
Get someone who groks these things to check it for suitability.