Hi Loren,

A friend of mine about your weight was learning on a 131 litre board. He got very tired of this (like you are now!) and changed to a Starboard Freesex 108 litre. He LOVES it!!!!! It's speedy, easy to turn and easy to sail - a definite winner! I don't know much about the second hand availability, but it's a brilliant board. I've sailed it too - it's wide and very stable, yet fast and lovely

He's now talking of getting a slightly smaller board for high winds (25knots+), but he still loves and uses the freesex everytime...

Good luck in finding a great board - makes this sport awesome

(That is, if the wind ever comes back)

On a very windy day 30 knots+ he was sailing a 77 litre board.

Most modern boards have the litres on them very obviously. (Although I don't know a huge amount about this subject as I only started last season). One option is to get a lesson/hire some kit where you can take out a few different sized boards/sails to see what feels good. There are sometimes free demo days too...

A further thought - what do you plan to do in the world of windsurfing - i.e. are you aiming for waves? You might want to think about the type of board i.e. freestyle or freestyle-wave or slalom etc. I use a JP freestyle-wave which is a great all rounder. Defo try out a few boards/styles to see what does it for you

Yeah I definitely want to get into waves eventually. I live near avalon in mandurah but to date am just going out in the estuary as with my small sail I can only waterstart when it is howling. I don't quite have the confidence to get out in the ocean yet.

Thanks for that additional feedback, that is exactly the sort of stuff that I am after. I guess something similar to what you have is what I would be chasing

G'day Loren,

The one thing I have in common with is is the 100kg! My heavy wind combos that suit me well for flat water blasting is a 138 litre stingray with a 7.4 NP Diablo (good for 15-18 knots). For 19+ knots, my 'true' sinker comes out - 105l Naish Enduro with a 5.8 Aerotech charge. Suggest you have a good look at your local wind conditions and make a call whether it's typically 19+ knots or 19- knots. My stingray is the workhorse of my board collection, and will carry anyting from a 9.5 in 12 knots, to the 5.8 in 19+ knots. If it blew 19+ knots every day, I'd love my 105l Naish, but for simple time on water, it's hard to beat the extra volume and sail range of the Stingray.

Eckas.

Gothim sussed already, met him at estuary while I was speedsailing, will get him sorted, u know the best thing about this bloke, he's bigger than me

Click onto my name here Loren, and email me

Yippy, another local!!!! Good on ya Loren, look forward to seeing you in the waves.
Just add my 2 bob's worth, get something that will work as a good light wind wave board in the future. The yellow monster I made Hardy, isn't ideal for this, it works in the waves, but that wasn't it's design function, the tail is just too wide.
I agree with earlier post you should be looking for 120/130 liters. And if you're really keen and don't mind a bit of pain, go straight into learning to waterstart, forget about uphauling, you'll find that quite a bit harder on a smaller board.
And don't be scared of the ocean, the wind is usually better, (as long as it hasn't got too much south in it!)If you come to my end of the beach, (rig up in Avalon foreshore park instead of the new subdivision end), there is less wind shadow from the point.
A young friend learnt to waterstart here in a few short lessons.

quote:

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Originally posted by Loren

I think I know who you are now decrepit, do you drive a landruiser personnel carrier? I will stop and speak to you next time I see you.

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Nup that's the other old grey beard, but he'll talk to anybody, and be pleased to say hello.
I drive a corolla stn wagon, but it only has boards on it if we go away somewhere.

Yeah fish thats right! Also with the wife away I can spend what I want, that's why I am getting what info I can!

PS how do you know my wife is away? Are you stalking me?

Great stuff in here.
I bought a Starboard GO early this year. It helped me getting into the harness and footstraps. It is easy to beachstart with and it goes on a plane beautifully but as it is high in volume (180l) waterstarting is a bit of a problem. It sits solid on the water and I am not that flexible that I get my leg on top and can push myself further. So all this advice strengthens me in getting a smaller board, probably around 110l.
One question though, what about sailsizes?
I now use comfortably a 4.7 and 5.8 at Pelican point. What is needed for a 110l? All sailboard builders show the lower and upper sail sizes but how does this translate to Perth conditions? Any tips on that part? I hope I am not barging into the discussion but judging by the wealth of tips this seems to be the right place.

I am probably trying to blame the board for my own failing. It was worth the try.
The new(er) board will sit on the wish list for some time. Maybe late January. Too much going on during this month and first half of January and unfortunatley it doesn't involve windsurfing. No worries though, judging by the age of most windsurfers I'll have a few more decennia of windsurfing to look forward to.

Hellemam

The Go is a great board. Waterstarting is no harder on it than a smaller board. I have migrated down size now, but I hung on to my Go for a couple of seasons. It is a lot easier to learn on, so don't be too keen to trade down (I actually got a smaller board and kept the Go for a season - used them both depending on the wind).

The thing I found with the Go is that you have to have the right size sail for it. You will find that even in stronger winds, the Go behaves itself much better with a larger sail. The smallest I would use on it was 6m. Any smaller than this and the board is not powered and you tend to bounce around all over the place.

I know you are not supposed to, but I found the easiest way to water start was to put both feet on the board (in the centre of the board with your heel on the board - not the sole of your foot - common mistake). This helped me to get the board in the right spot and keep everything under control. In stronger winds the sail will just pull you out even with both feet on. In lighter winds, once I have everything under control, I just slip my front foot off the board while pulling the board toward me with the back foot, then when alongside the board kick with the front foot to get you on the board.

Everyone has a different tilt, but I hope this helps.

"WHAT A LOG!"