Which gear to choose

karmantandon · Joined: 25 Jul 2016 Posts: 1

Hi guys, I am looking to get into windsurfing. I am 5'7", about 155lbs, male. I don't know anyone to get pointers from, so I'd really appreciate your help. Could you guys comment on these gear options:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/5698935023.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/5699989142.html

One is a Mistral Screamer II board, 103 liters, 280cm and the other a Fanatic Xray 170, 155L, 270cm. They also have sail/mast/harness.

Thanks a lot!

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

This gear will be difficult to learn on. A lot depends on your skills if any and what type of wind and water conditions you will be using this gear in. The Screamer would be a great board when your ready for higher wind and can water start. The Fanatic might work for learning but it will be pretty hard for you to make it work without help from a friend or pro. lessons. Race sails are not good for learning. Lots of reasons. The other gear pretty much looks like wore out ready to break junk. Think about a wind SUP. Great for no wind days and easy to learn lite wind sailing. Starboard makes a good inflatable wind Sup package. It has everything you need to get going. Just one opinion after 35 years windsurfing.......

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Opinion #2: What NOVANN said. Go to Hood River and take some lessons, shop at the swap meets there. The latter will pay for the former.

Mike \m/

U2U2U2 · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:19 am Post subject:

Of the 2 the Fanatic is the better / only option.

It's possible to learn on a more advanced board, the learning curve is already steep , so using the tools, a more modern beginner board is wise.

Likewise lessons, to obtain the best methods to sail recover the rig, etc

An ideal place would be warm water and shallow, OuterBanks, NC
Corpus Christi , Tx , among others.

DelCarpenter · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 499 Location: Cedar Falls, IA

Hi karmantandon,
A group of windsurfers sail on Lake Washington, try to figure out where they launch from and contact them. Send a private message to: gregnw44 asking him to point you in the right directions. He is one of the Lake Washington sailors.

Contact the Lake Sammamish dealer who posted the following Craigslist ad:
9rfh7-5657267862@sale.craigslist.org
That dealer also offers lessons.

When looking on Craigslist you'll get different ads using each of the following terms: sailboard, sailboards, wind surf, windsurf, windsurfer, windsurfing.

IMO your beginner board "must have" some kind of center board or dagger board. (That eliminates the two boards in the two Craigslist ads.) And you need lessons. Even the worst instructor can be extremely helpful (if you listen) because an instructor can see what you are doing or failing to do.

There are 4 ways to steer a windsurfer. Each can add either upwind or downwind force (which means there are really 8 ways.) Each way is always on. As a beginner it is easy to make a move by which you intend to add downwind force and still have the board turn upwind because you didn't notice you were also doing something with one or more of the other 7 ways that added upwind force. Plus there is the balance problem and the sailing navigation problem, and the equipment problem.

I know a man who is fanatical & dedicated enough to teach himself to run bare foot. He's also the only person I've met in 33 seasons of windsurfing who taught himself, over a couple of seasons, enough rudiments of windsurfing to eventually get from point A to point B and back.

Be very kind to yourself and take lessons.

I hope your early experiences are good & you get enough of the joy of windsurfing that eventually you have more than my 33 seasons.

PennyB · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 49

This one might be of interest as far as the board. It is a little narrower than the newer high volume boards, but has a dagger board which is an immense help. Greg is a great guy and can get you in touch with the Seattle sailors so you should contact him for sure. Lessons are key, and are harder to come by in the Seattle metro area than in the past.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/5701541872.html

Welcome and plan on having a great time!

Penny

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

Hifly made some great boards but that isn't one of them. Heavy log. That said it would be ok for a first board but not for 300 bucks. Most windsurfers would give you a board like that if you were a local. And some half way decent sails to boot. A Kona one would be a great way to go and be a life long fun board. Hard to find used...