Hi all.
First i know this question has proberbly been asked several times before, but i am going to ask again anyway.
I have been sailing for 1 year now, well actual time sailing is prob 6 months. Mostly on flat water and using an old minstral longboard.
I have recently moved up to brisbane and am looking to get my first shortboard. As i am new to brisbane i am not quit sure what the avarage condtions are but i plan to start where it is still flat.
I am quite comfortable using the harness and have just started to get in to the foot straps. I cant quite do a water start, although i have only tried it a couple of times.
I am 60kgs and am fairly fit. I dont mind a challange but i dont want to get something i wont be able to use. At the same time i dont want to get something that i am going to get tierd of straight away.
Dose anyone have any suggestions.
One more thing, i am only interstead in seconed hand gear at this stage. Not quite ready to spend the big bucks on gear.
Any input would be appreciated.
Stephen
well I'd guess something between 80 and 100litres.
80 will be good in medium winds, up-hauling possible but not super easy.
100 will be better in lighter winds, up-hauling easier, but could be more of a hand full when the wind picks up
I'm around 60kg too. Ultimately you'd find an 85L board a good one board compromise you can use in all conditions, but as a first short board it will be a steep learning curve for you. Uphauling it or tacking it will be difficult.
I'd recommend something around the 100L - 110 mark. Then as you improve you can keep that for a light wind board and add an 80 L for the other days.
I am biased because i have one but see if you can find a JP All Ride 106 2nd hand. I love this board and it does everything well. The only problem you might find is that seeing as though the that board only got released last year (2011) for the first time it may be hard to find a 2nd hand one that someone is prepared to let go of already and if you do it will still cost a bit. I am 67 kg been sailing for 6 months and this board is easy to water start, uphaul and control. I also have a 93 litre Single Thruster but the All Ride gets used alot more due to conditions (light wind). Hopefully this will change soon
Thanks guys for the input.
I am also going to need to get a new sail, mast etc.
Once again any input would be appreciated.
Cheers
Stephen
Can't go past a trip to Wind FX at Southport, well worth the trip and great advice, I have found
hey mate, as you are in brisbane you can't go past simon at board crazy in wollongabba. i think he's the only shop owner who still windsurfs around here.
also have a look in buy/sell just above. now's the time when a lot of people are upgrading to new seasons gear, so there is probably plenty of good second hand stuff up there.
as for a first short board, i was 70kg, and up for a challenge, I bought a 96L freestyle board which was pretty much perfect. you don't need to learn to waterstart before you get a shortboard, unless you buy a sinker. I reckon a 90L freestyle/wave/freeride board would be great for you. At your weight, if you want to go the wave/freeride sailing, get a 400 rdm mast, and the biggest sail you can fit on it (probably around a 5.5-5.7). That will probably cover most sailing days up here. Buy something between 4.5-5.0 next and you will be covered from 15-25kts.
if you are starting, spend a bit more on a decent (something from the past year or two) matching mast (75% carbon ore more) and sail as it will make it much easier to learn. Shouldn't cost you much more then $300 per mast/sail. Save the money by buying a cheap board say up to 6 years old, as you won't see as much difference, and you will probably ding it learning anyway.
Thanks eveyone for the input.
I think i will go and have a chat to some of the guys at th shops you mentioned befor i make up my mind.
Swoosh when you say $300 per mast/sail, do you mean $300 total or each?
$300 for each piece for something 2 years old, 2009 vintage, thou I suppose that means it's 3 years old. Some people want ridiculous prices (tell em they're dreamin), but there are plenty of bargains around, i.e. I've pretty must sold my quiver of 2009 simmer wavesails for $250/each.
I got a 2010 5.7m Severne SWAT that i'll be putting up soon for cheap if you are interested. Rigs on a 400.
