hi ob64,

it's hard to say without a few more details.

firstly, how much of a beginner are you, also what volume did you want to buy?
finally which model GO is it and older model or the new model, the new model is re-designed.

cheers.

in a nut shell

the go is plastic coated, more durable, and heavier. will be good up untill the point where you want to learn to chop hop, planing gybes etc. you'll be able to learn to gybe and tack on them but gybes will be a bit awkward. basically it will be a bit limiting for you once you reach intermediate level

the excite is more of an experienced-beginner to advanced-intermediate board, is lighter, faster, more maneuverable

if you are already sailing back and forth, but not necessarily planing, the excite may suit you better as it will take you further. You'll just have to take more care of it, as with most non-beginner boards due to their lighter, more fragile constructionmore prone to nose damage if you bang it with the mast or boom

The new Go's are exactly the same shape as the Futura (up to 155ltr) just with Tufskin and additional footstrap positions. So a long way removed from the last model Go's. Seems Starboard consolidated the Go, Carve and S-Type into 2 models all trending to more performance and easy planing. The Go may be the best option given a decent shape, but still quite wide for volume and only slightly heavier with the Tufskin etc. I'll certainly be looking at one in the new year for a board the family can learn on and I can have fun on as well on holidays - will be interesting to learn more on their performance given the shape. Anyone ridden the new GO?

Nuff said - get the GO. [}:)]

Just kidding Min's , how's it going - any chance you can make HR Friday afternoon?

There's no doubt that the JP will serve you better as you advance.

But there's also no doubt that you'll advance faster on the Go, to a point.

The classic mistake is to buy a board that's more advanced than you are, and hope you grow into it. This can be done, but it's slower learning than sailing on boards that are good for you right now.

It would probably be easier to sell the Go (when you're ready to move on) than the JP, as beginner boards are always in demand.

Unless you're ready to start sailing in the footstraps I'd choose the Go for now (on which you can learn to sail in the straps.) When you're ready to start tackling planing jibes, upgrade from the Go.

You can get a nose protector with the JP which is made of fiberglass and fits exactly to the board and has the board graphics on it as well. It is unbreakable so when you're learning there's no way you'll damage it. They should have them in at SHQ. Then if you want to sell it or when you get better you can just take it off and you have a really light board that will advance with your skill. I think you get the best of both worlds with this option. Plus the Zen is a great sail. If you want gear that you can learn on but will still be fun as you get better and which you can probably keep forever as a big board then I would definitely recommend the x-cite ride. Awesome board, super fast, very stable and manouverable and with the nose protector it will last you forever! Good luck and welcome to the addicition that is windsurfing

Thank you all for your comments, although now I want one of each!

I think I am leaning a little towards the Go if only for the fact that they are a little more robust.

I think I would be too paranoid about damaging the JP while learning and probably wouldnt take the risks needed to get sailing quickly.

Just one more question...what size sail should I be looking at getting? I have been told I should probably go about 6m.

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

Luckily I drive a ute and dont have roof racks so thats one thing I dont have to worry about lol

Prob too late for this reply.....busy days (sociable nights!)

Mate got a 165 GO, I got a 165 JPXcite...both great boards, but different in the overall process of learning. I reckon the JP will advance you quicker, and great for low-medium wind days, chop-hop, small waves - great!! The GO is a smoother/flatter ride, again great for low-medium winds, but doesn't get the lift that the JP will if you want to get a bit of air under you (and you will!!!). the technique of riding either board are a fair bit different, the GO, being slightly wider, and more round shape makes sharp turns & moves difficult, but planes smoother & easier, the JP is more responsive, and more like the boards you'll progress to, but also very easy to ride.

Either way....both very good boards! Neither myself or mate would trade either!

For the sail, my first was a Gaastra GTX 7.5....great sail for calmer days, cruising, but the sail I use most is a 6.5

(waiting for the wind to drop so I can get out with my smallest 5.5m!)

Good choice!

One thing I didn't mention about the GO is that, even if (when) you advance to a smaller board, you'll still use the GO to get others into the sport....and for cruising on low-med wind days.

You'll soon realise that one sail won't do for Vic weather, but hopefully with the winds coming, you'll get plenty of use for the 5.8 before you have to worry about other sails.

Enjoy!

i garantee if you dont potect the go,s nose youll be rebuilding one

As I have done lots of fibreglass/carbon fibre work in the past on various boats and fittings, I am looking at making a nose protector that slides over the front of the GO just until I manage to get my fall off ratio a little lower.

As I dont want to glue anything to the board, I will make it a snug fit (maybe even use a little silastic to tack it in place so it cant slide off as the silastic can be removed later without leaving any marks) and have something like one of those pool noodles stuck to the top of it.

It probably wont look pretty but its far more attractive than having to repair the board.

3 seasons on a Go, maybe I am a bit slow but I don't want to upgrade yet.
You won't break your GO unless you learn by crash and burn.
No doubt that this is the fastest way onto the waves, but a new insight every time you sail is enough for some of us.
The Deep Tuttle finbox can withstand coming to an instant stop when hitting a submerged tree from a full plane.
If you just stand on the board it will take an extra 1 meter of sail compared to others to get you planing, which may be discouraging. But the V at the tail will save your bacon when you dont have the skill to react properly to the chop, and you will finally plane with no wind at all.
Hmm.. well, almost no wind. Welcome to the GO club, watch that you don't progress to Formula sailing.