Versatile board

joglar · Joined: 06 May 2000 Posts: 2

I would appreciate good advice from anybody. I am looking for a first short board. Which short board is good to learn harness/footstraps, but also versatile enough to be with me for years to come as I get better in a fairly wide range of wind conditions (Florida/Texas). I weight 170 pounds. Some of the very widestyles are not very controllable in windy conditions. Thanks for the advice.

gcarleton · Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 3

In my opinion NO board can do it all. My recommendation is to get one of the higher-quality wide, large boards (130 or even 150 liter) that youll always be happy with in lighter winds. This board will be much easier to learn on than a smaller board. You can always pick up a used smaller board for cheap when you get good enough to sail in 20+ knots and for years to come youll be glad to have the bigger board for the lighter wind days.
Back in 1988 I bought a new 93 (110 L?) as my first shortboard. I hated it, bought a used 106 piece of junk with a daggerboard, learned shortboard techniques for ~6 months, went back to the 93 and never looked back. Really glad I didnt keep trying to learn on the smaller board, but am now shopping for a wide big board to sail in light (<20 knot) wind.

ken_wong · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 4

Try Mission Free 60 (it can take a 8m sail in water, sailing in 13-15 knots)
or Mission Free 72 (more lighter air condition, it has a medium small vee can ride in choppy condition)
http://hello.to/kinetic

manolo · Joined: 19 May 2000 Posts: 1

Ok! I dont know where to start, but that also depends on which are the wind conditions on where you Windsurf, but anyway I would highly recomend a F2 Ride, either a 277 or a 282. They are great boards for all around use, since you are beggining with the footstraps and harness Ill go with the 282. The Techno 273 is very good too, maybe better, I recommend you to try them both before making a decision.

cascblu · Joined: 03 Jan 1999 Posts: 16

Try the RRD Avantride 270 or 280 by RRD. You can trade your old board in on it. They employ the widestyle but are still mucho fun

artofwindsurfing · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 182

Before recommending any short board, I would need to know more about you and the equipment you have been using so far.

I look forward to hear from you,

Sylvain Pilon, windsurf instructor, HI

joglar · Joined: 06 May 2000 Posts: 2

I am currently using a Hifly 310 with dragger board, I am ready to move up. I have twin cam sails 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0.I weight 170 and mostly do slalom sailing, I am looking for my first short board. Thanks