Hi, Ive been windsurfing since the end of last summer, and have been using an old mistral screamer, Im looking for something lighter, that is good for jumping and i can take in the waves, but can also sail upwind without too much effort. Have a budget of about $800 give or take, anybody got any suggestions...

was looking at a mistral naish 8'4"

Cheers
Haydz

i have a kinetic 65 l 2002 wave board good cont $350

spot1

Hey, sorry i should have said this stuff at the beginning... I weigh 72 kg, and have a 4.7 and a 5.7 both wave sails... I been sailing mostly in the river, but i want to get out in the ocean.

Haydz,
i think you rang about my jp last night? Anyway i tend to agree with Seaton that you probably want a solid 80 litres when your getting into the waves although is does depend on your ability. If your going to be sailing lots with 5.7 it would suit 80 litres better.

But if your still interested in the Jp you can give me a ring and take it out for a sail to see if it's suitable.

If you are still interested, I have a larger 8'5" Minstral Naish, in near mint condition, hardley ever used. It is 85L and is a really fast and light board good for waves and jumping.

Filth,
I also don't know your capabilities so please don't take offence.

If you are still in the steep learning curve (you still regularly throwing yourself bodily at your gear) then you may be better of with one off the plastic boards.

Yes they are slightly daggy and a touch heavier than the latest and greatest carb/epoxy boards, but they have one major benifit. They are almost indestructable, a huge advantage when you are starting out.

Carb epoxy boards although very nice to ride, cannot generally handle the punishment of the regular stack.
For example.. if you can't jibe, then every run you make every time you go to turn around you have the potential to break your board.

I used a tiga board for 2 years it took all I could dish out. I have now progressed to a very nice F2 project board (loverly) which I got at the end of last winter, the best run I have had is where Decrepit had to panel beat it 3 weeks in a row. The last session he has now reinforced the nose with Carb Kevlar which seems to be working.

I shudder to think how many boards ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) I would have gone through if I hadn't got the Tiga.

Once you really confident then look at an epoxy board.

Re choosing a board.

Look what is out there, as you can see that as a potential buyer you are extremely popular, that is because there is a schidt load of s/hand gear out there.

First see what is available, then research. There are plenty of sites on the net where oyu can see reviews, also check forums. Most importantly speak to your local crew, these are your best bet, you just need to filter out the creative interpretations on how good this or that is.

Board volume.
When learning especially on the ocean volume is your friend, more volume roughly equates to more time on water. Experienced guys and gals make it look all to simple getting going on low volume boards and small sails, they have the key words experience and technique which makes them a lot more efficient than you and me.


Hope this is of help, although I thought the advise was a bit suss when I was first given it. It did keep me in the sport, I couldn't have afforded the repair bills otherwise.

I still have my Tiga, no it's not for sale. I'm saving it for my kids to learn on and hopefully the missus (way cool).

All the best

Alby

Life is but a dream, from which we all must wake.

I agree with the guys above, The tiga is an indestructable board. i had a strapper for a while,then flogged all my gear and moved east. a few years later picked up some cheap gear to get me sailing and i picked up a tiga275 for $350.00 and its just as fast as my strapper ever was. not to mention holds up to the unexpected hooked in trip around the mast trick that im good at. i had a go on a mates f2 freeride board the other month, they are an awsome ride too.

Wait untill august. From my past experience, august or around then, is when the latest season gear comes out and you will find many who lives for the lastes gear, trying to offload last seasons gear.

dont be in a rush, and see if you can test drive the board before you buy. nothing worse than shelling out big bucks on a board that you hate riding.

G

Ex Woodmans Point,WA Sailor living on the Gold Coast

heya skinny,

have you been for a sail lately? Maybe this weekend. 20-25 knots.

i hope.....fingers crossed

Justan

we had a great full day at wellington pt last sunday. hopefully another one coming up this weekend. I go back to wellington again

J