Hi Guys, we are trying to hunt down a larger, more stable, board to get our kids up and windsurfing on. We have got the kids rig,a few sails and have had a few sessions. Unfortunately, whilst their enthusiasm is huge, the board is a tad small, narrow and really making it difficult for them. We are hoping someone has a larger more suitable board lurking in their garage that they would like to sell. Any advice on suitable boards would be great. They weight in at about 40kg. We are based on gold coast but more than happy to go up and down the coast.

3 weeks too late. But the starboard go 151 or maybe the 141 is the board to go for. I would just bit the bullet and buy new, the longer you persist with a poor board the less they will like it. You need 75-85 wide with a removable centreboard is a must. Don't go for anything smaller, otherwise you will make life hell for them. My son now 9 has spent the last 12 months on a 151 go sailing his 1.2 and 2.6 rigs. He never fell in due to the width and buoyancy and for a little guy (7 when he started) that is a big deal.

He progressed off the GO about 6 weeks ago, and now sails a 100l skate 63cm wide, and can handle up to 20kt winds on his 3.0. He is under 30 kgs.

This may sound silly but have you considered looking around for a SUP that will also take a sail? I bought a Starboard Wide Point a couple of years ago for those low wind days and it goes great as a windsurfer. Loads of buoyancy and width (32 ins) for the kids and you get the best of both worlds as the kids (and you) can use it as a paddleboard on those no wind days (and when your kids graduate to other boards you aren't left with a GO to get rid of). You can also use it as a safety boat if the kids go too far and then get stuck as you can let them paddle the SUP back while you 'salvage' the windsurfer.

I live in Kingscliff but generally sail on the Broadwater and often bring the SUP with me as a back up if the wind doesn't come. If you want to try it out with the kids and their rig to see if that's the way to go then PM me and we can try to arrange a hook up sometime. (Just an offer to help - I'm not looking to sell my board)

The wide point I have is 10.5 feet (320 cms) long and 32 inches (81 cms) wide and probably 180 - 200 litres so I'm not sure you're right about it being too small GGH

Anyway Bzzzz - the offer's there if you're interested - sometimes it's better to actually try something and make your own mind up

I got a GO155L I think, not sure the exact size, sitting around in the garage.

You're welcome to borrow it indefinitely (say for 2-3 months). I only use it extremely occasionally to teach friends, but I'm away a lot for work at the moment, so it hasn't gotten any use. Not interested in selling, as it's pretty handy to have around.

Bzzzzz said...

swoosh said..

I got a GO155L I think, not sure the exact size, sitting around in the garage.

You're welcome to borrow it indefinitely (say for 2-3 months). I only use it extremely occasionally to teach friends, but I'm away a lot for work at the moment, so it hasn't gotten any use. Not interested in selling, as it's pretty handy to have around.

?Hi Swoosh, that really generous of you, we would like to take you up on that offer and am happy to rent the board. I suspect it will only be for a shorter period as we will be buying if the girls enthusiasm continues the way it is.

nice one swoosh! I don't know you but good to witness a random act of trust and kindness on the first day of 2014