I want a long board with centre board for light wind days and early planing, and my GF has been pestering me to teach her to windsurf. Is it feasible to combine the two goals into one board and can someone give me a recommendation on a suitable board?

For early planing you can also consider the short n fat ones too Ian. Wont beat the wallies for non-planing conditions as sub-planning works on displacement. The wallies are good for that since it has a lot more surface area. If you are in Brisbane, you can come and try a few different types at our rental school. We have the meter wide Tabous, JPs and Technos, all have centre board but of quite different designs and performance.

Padi

ikw777 said...

I want a long board with centre board for light wind days and early planing, and my GF has been pestering me to teach her to windsurf. Is it feasible to combine the two goals into one board and can someone give me a recommendation on a suitable board?

Hard decision. I've tried teaching a few chicks this season and i found that the wide style is by far the better option. They are just so much more stable that you would think. Its all about keeping their confidence up. this improves their progression rate substantially.
If you pick a long board that suits you it is unlikey to suit your GF. Alternately if you pick out a JP Funster or similar not only will your gf progress very quickly you can still have some fun. Abeit not quite as much but you will be suprised. I've had a funster strapless in the ocean with lots of chop in over 30 knots of wind on a 4.5 and i've also sailed one in non planing 8knots with a 5.4 doing old school freestyle. I know of guys who have wave sailed them in sub 10 knots aswell.

Make sure it has a soft deck coz if ur gf gets home and her knees are all scraped up and bloody, she sure as hell won't be coming back for a 2nd try.

i have been sailing an old mistral one design imco board for fun cruising and it's been great. i've taught lots of beginners on it with a smaller wave sail and i sail it on the bay here in melb up to 20 knots with a 9.0 and it's great fun. i'm thinking about selling it if you're interested. complete kit inc original sail for $500 plus freight.
Matt
0405 206 186