Returning to windsurfing,found and have been using the old Windsurfer and now think it is time to move on.Have narrowed my search to Starboard Go or Rio in a larger volume as I am 100 kgs 6'4" and an old geeser who cant gybe or waterstart.Any advice pre purchase would be welcomed,also should I negotiate a full kit or buy board only and try to save some money by buying mast,sails,and boom secondhand ..........Thanks

I have bought GO 150, mast, boom and sails (5.5, 6.5) secondhand, piecewise, from my local windsurfing shop. The gear is all well worn, and I couldn't be happier. Cost averaged 25% of new.

If you have your balance well under control on the Windsurfer, a GO will be great. I have now graduated to a 105 ltr after 2 years on the GO, planing and sailing in any wind.

You would be welcome to try mine, but I don't think you want to drive that far. Hire a GO and try it out for an hour. Its well worth it!

Further to my post,58 years old but reasonably fit still surf longboard regularly,windsurfed may years ago, can tack and beach start and sort of gybe if it is not blowing too strong but swim often when using the wally, live near the sea, so sail in swell sometimes,chop often .when involved previously(10 years or more ago) started to get into harness ,and straps but not confidently.I would love to get to the planing ,harness,straps stage and see how the body holds up,this for me may be the Oh god I,m going to die stage,if my previous harness experience is any indication .Yeah just want to get some equipment that is enjoyable to use and is fun,not something that is way beyond my abilities and might always be.When I got the old windsurfer everyone said dump it and get into the new gear and I think they are spot on but I needed to try it again. I've been looking around a little but secondhand new style larger volume boards seem pretty scarce here in Sth Aust and even interstate on Sea breeze sell and buy.I would prefer the secondhand option if I could find something suitable,but new looks the only option at this time,but not in a desperate hurry ,at my age maybe I should be.....Thanks John

I think you should definately go the GO. OB64 seems to have followed this advice for a quick learn result. When I returned to windsurfing a few years back I was faced with the go the GO or a 135 litre Carve. I went the 135 Carve which is probably a slightly higher performance board and progressed easily and happily down to a 104 S-Type, 105 Hypersonic, 85 Sonic and CarbonArt44. This was fine for me but what I have now is a big Carve in the shed rather than a GO, I think the GO would be far more valuable to teach my wife and youngest kid cf the Carve. I am now looking for a GO which I would trade for the Carve.

waxer said...

Further to my post,58 years old but reasonably fit still surf longboard regularly,windsurfed may years ago, can tack and beach start and sort of gybe if it is not blowing too strong but swim often when using the wally, live near the sea, so sail in swell sometimes,chop often .when involved previously(10 years or more ago) started to get into harness ,and straps but not confidently.I would love to get to the planing ,harness,straps stage and see how the body holds up,this for me may be the Oh god I,m going to die stage,if my previous harness experience is any indication .Yeah just want to get some equipment that is enjoyable to use and is fun,not something that is way beyond my abilities and might always be.When I got the old windsurfer everyone said dump it and get into the new gear and I think they are spot on but I needed to try it again. I've been looking around a little but secondhand new style larger volume boards seem pretty scarce here in Sth Aust and even interstate on Sea breeze sell and buy.I would prefer the secondhand option if I could find something suitable,but new looks the only option at this time,but not in a desperate hurry ,at my age maybe I should be.....Thanks John

On the basis that you can surf I would say that you definitely don't need the daggerboard in the RIO for stability. The GO is a good choice and indestructable but very heavy so it depends on how quickly you outgrow it. The 2008 GO is identical in shape to the Futura but heavyweight construction and cheaper if you can afford the Futura, and don't wreck it early on then you will take a lot longer to outgrow it as it is lighter and faster and even if you do move down in board size it will be a better light wind board than the GO.

As far as volume is concerned you will probably find that your surfing will give you sufficient balance to be able to get away with a smaller board than a non-surfer; I'd be surprised if you needed anything more than the 144L you might get away with less.

It would certainly be worth taking Bgrand Fromage up on the offer of a demo of his 144L GO and possibly even get a smaller demo board from Glascraft (if they have one) so that you can compare.

Good Luck and see you on the water