Ok now I have a slight dilemma.
On Saturday I intend on buying my first new complete package,
I am basically a beginner but want to get a board to carry me thru to next stage.
I am looking at Star-board Go package vs JP xcite package with Zen sail. I will be sailing around Geelong so it will be all flatwater/chop.
Both are the same price so thats not a concideration.
I have heard all the pros from the salesmen.. just would like to get the pros/cons from you guys who actually use these boards.
So if any of you have sailed both of these boards could you please try to make my desicion a little easier.
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.
Well I dont fall off as soon as I stand on board but I havent planned yet. I have been practising on old board/sail combos so I have been struggling a little.
I weigh about 73kg pre xmas stuffing.
I am looking at 155 Go and the 145/160 Xcite.
Both will be brand new and I gather the new Go is based on Futura?
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 construction
more prone to nose damage if you bang it with the mast or boom
yep in a nutshell that's about it. and also the go has a carry handle to go along with the tufskin. 
forgot to say, if you haven't planned boefore i'd lean towards the GO because of the tufskin.
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?
Have two X-Cites, 130 and 110.
Agree with the fragile nose comment, they don't like a hit in that area
Very good boards, but as I have been down same track as you are venturing on right now, strongly recommend you go for a later model used board. Your going to give it a bit of a caning getting to the next level, (planing, hooked in and in straps) The last thing you want is to render your new $2k+ board after a season worth about $750-$1000.
A season getting to next level will allow you to gauge quicker what board you want.
I weigh 88kgs and the 130 does really well, so wouldn't recommend you go too big in volume at your weight.
Hope this helps
Nuff said - get the GO. [}:)]
Just kidding Min's 
, how's it going - any chance you can make HR Friday afternoon?
TC. Will give it a try, but have too get work backlog clear before I can bolt on leave.
Don't count on me getting there. 
If OC64 was over here, there are two used Go's in Windforce, with full kits, couple guys selling up complete set ups when I went by on Wednesday lunch time.
Found it difficult getting help or indicated they didnt find the whole concept easy, both physical and information sharing in the windsurf fraternity
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 
Go with the JP. They are a fantastic board to progress on.
My wife's learning curve took off when she jumped on these boards. She had the 120 then the 95. They don't make the smaller ones any more (< 95 Ltr), She was annoyed that she could not get another one in the mid 80 Ltr size and had to settle for a Freestyle Wave instead.
If you can source a Epoxy Sandwich version, a couple of seasons old it will last you through your early intermediate stage.
I'm with Mineral on the size. With your weight, no need to go bigger than 130 Ltr.
Get the nose protector if available and get a small mast protector (Goes around the mast foot to protect the board). Turn it up side down and attach it to your mast just under your boom. Because boards have got much shorter, it's usually mast that hit's the nose these days, not the boom. Deflectors come with their own set of hassles, and if you are learning to waterstart they will be a right pain.
Welcome to the club
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.
OceanBlue64, no doubt you'd be happy with either
just for your info - regardless of build strength, generally most damage only occurs to the nose of the board and usually from dropping mast or boom on it, or getting catapulted in the harness. Unless you run aground at high speed which may damage the fin box, or scrape the board with your harness hook when climbing back on, or have the board blown off the roof racks and onto the bitumen, the rest of the board doesn't get damaged much. In most cases if you can protect the nose you will be sweet 
Luckily I drive a ute and dont have roof racks so thats one thing I dont have to worry about lol
My dad drives a ute. But we put boards on roof racks and unfortunatly, as bad as it sounds, we have had a board blow off the roof racks. We were in a car park with big stones and it made a big mess of the board.
Bubs
Note: Always have your boards strapped to the roof racks even when your not moving.
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!)
Just want to thank u all again for all your advice... this forum has been fantastic in helping me really get into this sport!
Ok well I bit the bullet and outlayed the cash and here's what I ended up with:
I went for a 2nd hand 155lt 2007 Starboard Go (mainly cos I didnt want to be completely broke over xmas lol) and I gather its the lighter version. Doesnt have the nose protector so I guess I will have to make sure that when I start doing gybes that I nail em first go lol.
I also got a new 5.8m KA Kult sail on a 430 30% mast. Have to say Adrian at RPS was extremely helpful, spent heaps of time showing me how to rig it correctly.
I am very keen to get it into the water but the weather is c**p at the moment so I will have to wait a few days.
Thanks again guys I am sure I will be pestering you again for more help
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!
sorry elmo
As westozwind mentioned, you can get a fibreglass nose protector for the JP....hard as hades! Prob is though, if your mast hits it hard, it won't damage the nose, but I reckon it contributed to my mast breaking recently by weakening where the mast & protector made contact.
Next time (if) I get a protector, it'll be cushioned!
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.
don't worry what it looks like
when you learn to loop you can take it off the board and put it down the back of your rashy
function before fashion
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.
Only light winds this arvo but I was so close to planning I could smell it.
Maybe tomorrow.....
