New guy, Old board, Alpha 230a Need help

banditpowdercoat · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Hi, Names Dan, I''m new to windsurfing. A friend gave me a old board that he got given to him. A Alpha 230a. From what I gather, its from circa 1980. It's a long board, 6m sail, 1 pc mast. I cant remember the mast lenght at the moment. I am in the Cent5ral British Columbia region, 100 Mile House to be exact. Only lake running here, and not ALOT of wind. Usually 5-10kts I would guestimate.

OK, heres where it gets long winded...

I was out today, 2nd time ever. Winds 5-10 varying. Now, I have watch some Youtube vids and such on basics. [insert snickering here] I can turn the board, Uphaul no problem. ballance is so so with centerboard down. Now, my issue is with Boom height I presume? When standing in safety position, foot either side of mast,. the nose of the boom is at my nose height. I am 5'10" 185Lbs. Now, when I get on power, everyting seems ok untill I try to step back to the straps. Then, the board just turns upwind. I can not tilt mast forward enough as the clew end of the boom gets so high as I am reaching up and loose ballance.

There is about 1 ft of mast sticking out of the luff of the sail, after I downhaul it as much as I can. There are some graduated marks on the mast bottom too. 440, 445, 450, 455, 460
Are those lines to Downhaul too, or are they marks to cut/shorten mast?
Am I not downhauling enough???

I have read that this is not that great of a board, especially compared to new technology. But no way can I afford new gear untill I am sure I will like and stick with this sport.

Also, the Boom is the style with just a V notch in it. Not the new clamp on styles. How am I to properly lash it to the mast so that it does not wobble? picture would be awesome. I'll try to get pics of my board and gear tomorrow too

Thx in advance.

haterrater · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 292

Hi Dan,

do you live near water and other windsurfers?

The gear you are trying to use is akin to learning to drive with a model T ford or learning to ski on a set of wooden skis with leather bindings.
And while I'm stoked you're learning to windsurf and I'm a firm believer in using whatever you can get your hands on ---- well, let's just say windsurfing becomes a very difficult sport when you attempt to use such torturous equipment.

If you live near other windsurfers, please throw that equipment in the trash after smashing it to bits and hop on some newer, wider, better gear.
If you don't - well, good luck and keep trying with what you've got.

There're some posts around here about how to rig a tie-on boom; I'm sure someone else will come to the rescue on that front.

I'm sorry to be so negative and unhelpful when it comes to technical advice in this particular post. I'll can try and pull together some helpful technical stuff and pm it to you later.....

-the haterrater

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:

Boom should be around neck or chin height. With the tie-on booms, you start with the boom lying parallel to the mast. Tighten the attachment rope as much as you can when it is in that position, then when you pull the tail of the boom up 90 degrees to meet the corner of the sail, it will tighten the rope more. A tie on boom will never feel fully stable, though.

There should be no mast or base extension sticking out the bottom of the sail. You probably need to downhaul much harder. It's also possible that the sail has an adjustable head cap that you need to extend, or an adjustable base extension that you need to shorten. It's better for a little mast to be sticking out the top of the sail than the bottom. Probably best to get someone who knows what they're doing to help you rig it the first time.

You can't get into the footstraps unless it is very windy (like >15 mph), the daggerboard is fully retracted, and you are planing. They aren't used during light wind sailing with the daggerboard down.

Check my advice for frequently asked questions by beginner windsurfers:

http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2008/02/top-16-windsurfing-questions-answered.html

Good luck!

banditpowdercoat · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Thx for both your replies.

I live surrounded by lakes. But no other windsurfers that I have seen. Makes sence on the not traveling fast enough to get into the straps, now after watching some more vids and studying how others are standing. I will try to downhaul more, but I don't know. The mast base is not adjustable, but the mast itself has markings on it. I'll have to search some bigger wind to try it I guess.

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

Rig the sail and take a picture, then post it here. Maybe we can tell what's up with it.

Also, you might want to do a google search for info on windsurfing in BC. I know there's a lot of windsurfers in the in Vancouver / Bellingham area and there may be some clubs or organizations that also have members in your area, or at least familiar with your area.

-James

andymc4610 · Joined: 19 May 2000 Posts: 670

boy, the tie on booms were a treat. Usually took me three or four times to get the height and tension right. i had a 230 in 1985, check the deck and see if it is slippery which it probably is. going to want to add some deck grip but not too much, you'll be skinning your kness. use the dagger board, it will help stability. the straps are so far back you'll probably never use them i didn't.

3-phase · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 476

Post a picture, many of use sailed on this type of gear and can help you based on what we see on the picture.

Haterater is correct the new stuff is great to learn easy and you make quick progress but better on old gear learning windsurfing then not at all.

If you the only one on the lakes drum up 10 buddy's a video camera and everybody will do it for 15 minutes the one that falls the least gets free dinner paid by the one that falls most Laughing

get some Girl's involved they will do well on the board.

Jurg

www.kasail.com
www.a-h-d.com
www.windsurfdeal.com

bred2shred · Joined: 02 May 2000 Posts: 574 Location: Jersey Shore

banditpowdercoat · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

OK, Heres some pics. I bet its all rigged wrong LOL. I can see that this is going to get addicting. I soo want to go to lake again, but wife has the truck. Hmm, How to haul this thing on top of my Trans Am???

Sail at rest on mast.

As much down haul as I can safely get. Foot on mast base, rope wrapped around a pipe for grip and PUUUUULLLLLL

Inhaul line. Bottom of mast is to the right in the pic

Outhaul line. The line is not sitting quite right in the back groove. The lower, return line. Normally, I have it sitting in its groove. Just set up for the pic. Looking top down

Complete sail.

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

You could sail that- I've seen worse. Still, it looks like it needs about 1-2" tighter outhaul and 1-2" tighter downhaul to take out some of the wrinkles and baggyness. It will be easier if you downhaul it lightly at first, then finish downhauling it after you outhaul it. Is it possible to take the black thing with the ujoint out of the blue part of the base, so you can brace your foot on the base of the blue thing when you downhaul? Also, if you thread the pulleys in a way that the lines don't cross or twist, it will be easier.

One reason there might be numbers on the mast is so you can cut it down shorter. You could probably cut it at 460 or 455 with a hacksaw and still have plenty to downhaul it tight. It would be fun, anyway.

That sail should have lots of power for its size, which will be good for moving the longboard around your lake in light winds. Not a bad setup for free. If you learn on that you'll be really good by the time you get more modern stuff.