Looking locally at a used Mistral FLOW 9' board for beginning try at windsurfing. I weigh 155lbs. Pretty athletic. If this is a intermediate to advanced board, then what should I be looking for? I need to buy used as my budget won't allow a new board. New to the forum, but not new to sailing, I have a Hobie 14 cat. Thanks for any info you could give me!
A Mistral Flow for a beginner? In a word no.
Have a look down in this forum. Filter your search with Beginner. There are a number of threads discussing what is the best way for a beginner to progress into windsurfing. Generally, though some will dispute this, it's accepted one should learn to windsurf on a big board of around 200 litres volume or more and a small sail 5m or less. It's generally accepted the best learner boards are wide, over a meter wide, so they are very hard to fall off. They have a centerboard to help the learner to sail forwards instead of sideways. They have a soft carpet deck to make it less painful to climb onto the board. This sort of gear will get you windsurfing in about 10 minutes in good learning conditions.
If you where you plan to windsurf its warm, windy and the water is shallow, then perhaps you could learn on a short board like the Flow. You will fall in a lot, spend around 5 days making no progress and get annoyed. However if it's warm, windy and the water is shallow it won't be too bad.
I have a shallow, warm and windy place to learn, but don't want to spend 5 days making no progress! I think you might have kept me from making a big mistake. I will start looking for a longer and wider board. I guess I can always sell it once I get some practice and ready to progress. I have been looking at our nearby bay, but never see any windsurfers. I will start searching for threads that begin with "Beginner" and see what other additional advice I can glean. Thanks again.
Where do you live? It sounds like a pleasant place to live if you like windsurfing.
