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Board/rig advice returning to sport

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Created by delmar71 > 9 months ago, 21 Jun 2019
delmar71
NSW, 68 posts
21 Jun 2019 9:00PM
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Hi all, have searched and scanned through heaps of pages, but not found what I'm looking for. I feel like this is a question others would have had though, so feel free to point me. Or maybe this thread can be a reference for a few people.

OK, after teens and early 20's windsurfing, went off into cats and eventually not sailing for ages ... it's been 25years + since I'd windsurfed. Now I'm back via an LT, and absolutely loving it. Kicking myself, feel like I left my 'first love'. Oh well. Time for next step. Very keen to race the LT when I can, but wondering if I can afford a short board and rig for higher winds. Trouble is, everything is pretty confusing! How do you put together rigs to buy? No-one seems to offer packages? And ads on here, I know you know what you're describing, but as someone off the scene for ages it's hard to work out!

Me: I've stayed pretty fit via mountain biking and gym. 80kgs all geared up and dripping wet. My long dormant skills seem OK so far on LT: water starts, starting to carve gybes (can't come out on the plane though, how do you do that?!), etc.

I'm thinking I'd like:
> something for blasting, jumping off chop, maybe the odd very shy play in gentle surf. But if this is too much of a compromise this could drop off.
> Top end speed doesn't need to be fastest, but something with a good turn of speed.
> Planing in marginal 12knots or so... is this asking too much?
> Money is an issue, plus I love simplicity, so one rig probably preferable. How big? I've no idea please guide me!
> Don't need uphaul ability, but enough volume to get home if wind drops. Above criteria would achieve this anyway I guess.
> Budget not sure, I don't know what I need to spend to get reasonably up to date gear thats reliable. But I am constrained: keen for second hand I guess.

Oh, I guess someone might suggest foiling. This is going to sound ignorant because Ive never tried it, but being faster than everyone, or even going that fast doesn't appeal, at the same time as losing the skipping over the surface feeling, carving, etc. That's what I'm after. The sounds, the spray, etc. Foiling seems like it would take that away. I suspect I'd be spending more as well... ?

Anyway, any help greatly appreciated, and once again if I'ver Missed obvious threads sorry and feel feel to point me.

Cheers.

forceten
1312 posts
21 Jun 2019 9:24PM
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Board: Freeride leaning towards FSW, ie, Tabou Rocket ( not wide version )range of liters 125-135liters.
Average sail on recommended sizes for those 2 is 7.5m, with a range of both from 5.5-8.5
Sail size depends on wind strength of intended use. Your weight is at the average considered.
to have only one rig (sail)would limit the board range.
To achieve planing at 12kt, I feel you need more specialist . Around 15kts on a 7.5-8.5 more likely.
sails themselves are designed for wind ranges, some brands handle a wider range.

going with a wide version of a number of brands, would enhance early planing, then limit your small waves.
its always a give and take .

delmar71
NSW, 68 posts
22 Jun 2019 5:02PM
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Select to expand quote
forceten said..
Board: Freeride leaning towards FSW, ie, Tabou Rocket ( not wide version )range of liters 125-135liters.
Average sail on recommended sizes for those 2 is 7.5m, with a range of both from 5.5-8.5
Sail size depends on wind strength of intended use. Your weight is at the average considered.
to have only one rig (sail)would limit the board range.
To achieve planing at 12kt, I feel you need more specialist . Around 15kts on a 7.5-8.5 more likely.
sails themselves are designed for wind ranges, some brands handle a wider range.

going with a wide version of a number of brands, would enhance early planing, then limit your small waves.
its always a give and take .


Thanks man, this is helpful. After some researching, this seems like it could hit the mark: www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~l27a7/2012-JP-Australia-XCite-Ride-130-255-cm-130-litres.aspx?_page=1&search=iVVAl2umBXmHLC7VP1FIeA%3D%3D

Anyone have anything like this in NSW?

joe windsurf
1480 posts
22 Jun 2019 6:00PM
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the LT should be fine in 12 knots
with your 80 kilos / 176 pounds and an 8.x (8.0, 8.5) meter sail you should be flying/planing

most windsurfers I know have a board quiver of two to three boards
and probably more than three sails

where i am, there are more and more kites and less and less windsurfers
people with longboards even less
i can take my Mistral Equipe 2 XR out in 10 - 20 knots no problem
no wave jumping, but not in danger either
15+ knots is where the fun starts
it all depends on location and your availability to go when there is wind

perhaps you can rent or try some equipment in that 125 to 135 liter range ??
but no matter what, priorities are always safety and then FUN, FUN , FUN !!
welcome back to this great sport !!

(sometimes a calculator helps a bit -- jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html)
even if i suck at windsurfing, I can still have lotsa fun LOL

BSN101
WA, 2244 posts
22 Jun 2019 6:58PM
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What state are you in and where do you intend to sail. Go hangout there and see what is being used and then youll have an idea of what to look for/get. maybe have a go too.

peterowensbabs
NSW, 441 posts
22 Jun 2019 11:04PM
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Select to expand quote
delmar71 said..
Hi all, have searched and scanned through heaps of pages, but not found what I'm looking for. I feel like this is a question others would have had though, so feel free to point me. Or maybe this thread can be a reference for a few people.

OK, after teens and early 20's windsurfing, went off into cats and eventually not sailing for ages ... it's been 25years + since I'd windsurfed. Now I'm back via an LT, and absolutely loving it. Kicking myself, feel like I left my 'first love'. Oh well. Time for next step. Very keen to race the LT when I can, but wondering if I can afford a short board and rig for higher winds. Trouble is, everything is pretty confusing! How do you put together rigs to buy? No-one seems to offer packages? And ads on here, I know you know what you're describing, but as someone off the scene for ages it's hard to work out!

Me: I've stayed pretty fit via mountain biking and gym. 80kgs all geared up and dripping wet. My long dormant skills seem OK so far on LT: water starts, starting to carve gybes (can't come out on the plane though, how do you do that?!), etc.

I'm thinking I'd like:
> something for blasting, jumping off chop, maybe the odd very shy play in gentle surf. But if this is too much of a compromise this could drop off.
> Top end speed doesn't need to be fastest, but something with a good turn of speed.
> Planing in marginal 12knots or so... is this asking too much?
> Money is an issue, plus I love simplicity, so one rig probably preferable. How big? I've no idea please guide me!
> Don't need uphaul ability, but enough volume to get home if wind drops. Above criteria would achieve this anyway I guess.
> Budget not sure, I don't know what I need to spend to get reasonably up to date gear thats reliable. But I am constrained: keen for second hand I guess.

Oh, I guess someone might suggest foiling. This is going to sound ignorant because Ive never tried it, but being faster than everyone, or even going that fast doesn't appeal, at the same time as losing the skipping over the surface feeling, carving, etc. That's what I'm after. The sounds, the spray, etc. Foiling seems like it would take that away. I suspect I'd be spending more as well... ?

Anyway, any help greatly appreciated, and once again if I'ver Missed obvious threads sorry and feel feel to point me.

Cheers.


www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~l1r47/2018-Fanatic-Blast-Te-233-cm-130-litres.aspx?_page=1&search=MsVd7Fn%2F%2FIqgdeOuG9wOZy%2FZqqVne8kG

You will never regret it. At least try one first. A pinch slower than full on slalom in flat out full on conditions but in anything close to marginal (too much wind too little wind too much chop angle too tight too loose need to sail up wind etc etc) it ****s all over the more dedicated need to be in the slot type boards. Just the best fun blasting board. Way more time sailing way less time tuning slightly too much or too little sail rigged up, refining stance, tweaking fin choice, strap positions, mast position, stance, boom height, rig angle etc etc etc (yawn yawn!!). You can stomp all over them like a baby elephant and it will forgive you (as well as making you look and feel like a much better sailor), easy to gybe and tack easy to up haul and foil ready, what are you waiting for!!!????

Ben1973
908 posts
22 Jun 2019 9:47PM
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That sounds just like me a couple of years back. I went for a starboard carve 150 and a Overdrive M1 8.6.
found the sail worked from 10 to 20knots and was awesome but the board was a little boring. Swapped to a Ultrasonic which I love but not so much bump and jump but early planning and fast. Now I have a Fox 140 and the Severne Overdrive M2 8.6. And I think as a one board one rig set up for blasting over pretty much anything it's spot on, faster than I want to go, easy to sail but exciting.
Im 90kg so for you maybe the fox 120 and a 7.5m, might not fit the budget but well worth it.

delmar71
NSW, 68 posts
24 Jun 2019 2:21PM
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Cheers everyone, some solid thoughts to get me researching with a bit more confidence. Sounds like I've been thinking smaller rigs than I need to...



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"Board/rig advice returning to sport" started by delmar71