zacd said...

im wanting to get into some sort of windsurfing ive done alot of sailing and have had a try at an really old board before. Im 17 living on the mornington peninsula in victoria i dont have alot of money id probably be looking at around $1000 preferably less to try and start out. It would be really good if someone could give me an idea about what type of board and sail i should be looking for. or where i could go to buy a fully set up board and sail. I dont no alot about windsurfing so any information would be good.

Well you have come to the right place for information. There have been quite a few topics posted on this subject.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37664
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36889

These are just a couple I found on a quick search.

The best thing would be to try to pick up a nice wide board like a Starboard GO (I only mention this one because its what I am familiar with. I am sure there are others along the same style that are just as good).

If you were down Geelong way you would be more than welcome to join me when I head out for a sail. Although I am only a relative beginner myself I could show you what some of the others have already showed me. Maybe there are some guys down your way who would do the same. Windsurfers are generally a friendly bunch so if you see someone setting up on the beach, just go and ask questions.

thanks for that now that. I looked at prices it looks as though im not going to get much for less than 1k so ill probably be digging a little deaper into my car savings and hopefully spend closer to 2. Ive gone out on an old longboard a couple of times and could tack and gybe easily in light winds. I was wanting to try and get into some sort of speed windsurfing would it be too hard to go straight onto a short board?

Concurred with the good advice above. There is a fair risk that by spending $2k on a one-shot single gear, that you blow it... The Go is a good idea, but for $1k you've got Buckley's...

As dism says, you'll get obsolete, crap old gear, but still more than enough to try things and get a feel for your more final purchases in 2-3 years. For used gear, try http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/ (and other cities) as well as Craigslist. Also ask sailors around - surprising sometimes that they old gear themselves that they may almost give out.

From buying multiple cheap gear in a package and trying stuff, you may decide that the wind is not great where you are and concentrate on long/med-size gear. Or as you say get into "speed" and buy unique gear to that effect.

Personally I get bored going right and left, so since you may be buying old stuff, do try a few moves for the fun of it, dare we call it freestyle. That may also end up being your kettle'o fish that will drive your "final" (or next) purchase.

You're first board purchase sucks. You know next to nothing about what you are buying from someone possibly desperate to sell it and then you're going to grow out of it in only a few short months. Yay. Then you've got to try and sell it, which can even be impossible.

But the really good news is you've definitely come to the right place.

I reckon you're ready for a short, but wide board. Especially if you can already tack and gybe a longboard.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say the first place you're going to go with windsurfing is "freeriding". That is sailing out and back, fancy gybes etc. You really just have to start there.

I also recommend a Starboard GO, or similar (like what?). Something around 140-150 litres and you can both learn on it and use it for years. Eventually you'll get something smaller to blast around on but you'll still likely pull out the old Go when the wind's light (every 2nd weekend), or you want a platform for freestyle practise, or something to teach another beginner on. I wish I'd bought one.

Something like that might cost a little extra, if you can find one, but you'll absolutely get your money's worth out of it. What's the saying? - don't save a dollar and end up paying twice. Besides, they hold their value well.

You can pick up a decent 2nd hand rig for around $600, even brand new (08 gear) for double that, $200- $300 hundred more for accessories like harness and wetsuit etc. I found a 5.7m sail was perfect for my first year. Remember: you want a "camless freeride" sail.

Watch the buy and sell section on this site like a hawk, occasionally a genuine steal comes on. This is a good buy but I'm concerned you'll bust the deck up learning to get into the straps and harness (catapults), the Starboard GO has a forgiving EVA deck.

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~zxqq/2008-Fanatic-Shark-268-cm-160-litres.aspx?search=iVVAl2umBXmHLC7VP1FIeA%3d%3d

Here's the GO:
http://www.star-board.com/2008/pages/products/v_go.php

Again, you've come to the right place. Post a question you'll get a dozen answers.

Oh yeah, and don't be shy to ask someone at the beach if you've rigged properly. 2cm here and there can make sailing 2x as easy. Very important to progressing quickly.

Welcome aboard.

PS If you were on the Gold Coast you could borrow my old soviet tanker of a board and crusty old rig, but I've already lent it out.

I am also a new one to the whole windsurfing caper, and like everyone here in Sydney, I am getting REALLY frustrated with the lack of wind!

I started out buying a complete setup from a guy on eBay for about $500 an old F2 Xantos 325 with two sails (monofilm 5.3 and 6.5) with a two piece carbon mast and all the other bits and pieces... I have found that it is a VERY forgiving board, quite a large volume and still only weighs 10kg. I have since bought a shorter board for about $100 (another xantos), and depending on the wind I choose between them. I had never been on a windsurfer before this and have taken to it quite well. I certainly dont think you have to go out and spend your entire savings to get out there and have fun. With places like eBay and the buy and sell site here, you should be able to find something fun and cheap without too much effort.
Best of luck!

by the way short boards sound a bit intimidating but they arnt too hard to get used to, especially with some sailing experience up your sleeve on boats like moths.

and if you sell that moth you will have heaps of $$$$$ to throw at windsurfing too

zacd... you poor bastard. Let the obsession begin

I was like you about a year & a half ago, sailing background and could sail a long board. I bought a Bic Techno which turned out to be pretty good, fairly easy to use and reasonably comfortable. I had plenty of big stacks and not one scratch unlike some more breakable boards. The Go is like that (tough) only better design, but may cost a bit more. After a season I had figured out exactly what I wanted (with the help of many here) and traded my gear in - I didn't lose heaps because it was reasonable gear to start with, stuff that people always want. If you can stretch the budget a Go would be perfect and you can trade it later without losing much or hang on to it for lighter days and friends who want to give it a Go Anyway you look at it you are in for some fun so enjoy it.