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Need Advice on board and Rig
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lenthomas



Joined: 01 Aug 2012
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:09 am    Post subject: Need Advice on board and Rig Reply with quote

I need some advice on a board and rig. A little history. I am 44 yrs old. Have been winsurfing on and off since around 15 yrs old. Always on longboards. Mistral Competition Light then Fanatic Fox and then Equipe. I got out of it for a number of years and all my equipment disappeared over the years. I am now just getting back into it. My weight is 135 Lbs. I uphaul only. I like to sail in 8 to 15 knots. Flat water only. On the coast of North Carolina, a city called Wilmington, south of Hatteras. I bought a couple of cheap boards . A Bic Samba (170 L) and an old Fanatic Shark (125 L). Honestly I dont feel comfortable on either one. I used to love to go out in anything from 8 to 15 knots. Now I fear that I will not be able to uphaul and get back. Thats a big issue for me since I am now diabetic, however I do carry sugar in my life jacket just in case my blood sugar drops. My sails are a little older too. An awol 5.5 from hot sails maui and a Bic fun slalom 6.4 that came with the Samba. I feel I may have a stability issue and maybe feeling a little over powered with the sails. I did buy a cheap waist harness that I am trying to learn how to use. I have a two yr old child now, so for me looking at any new equipment is way out of the question. Any Advice anyone could give me would be wonderful, Take care, Have a wonderful day, cheers, Len
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wsmtbskate



Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Posts: 124

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hey Len,

here's a great starter written by James who is a big contributor on this forum

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

How old /wide is the Shark ? Briefly the newer style boards are wider which means more stability, easier to up haul and plane. The newer sails have improved stability and hence better control and range. Both of these "innovations" will definitely improve your sailing experience based on the issues you put forth.

Starting on a 80cm wide board with daggerboard, maybe a 5.0 or even 4.0/4.2 sail ? at 135# that 6.4 must be a big sail for you and a bear to up haul ?

I would think something used from 2004 + would suit you well and still be very reasonably priced. Guestimate boards in the $300-400 range and sails in the $150 ? Maybe something like a Starboard Go ?
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spennie



Joined: 13 Oct 1995
Posts: 975
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 on the above post, and add learn to rig your sails properly, it makes an incredible difference in how well they handle, and affect how much fun you have accordingly. Most sail company websites have a rigging guide on them.
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dhmark



Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 376

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would not have thought that the Samba would feel much more unstable and difficult to uphaul than an Equipe, but it is slightly lower volume (but you are light). But anything wider than 70 cm would be a piece of cake to uphaul for you. Then you decide whether you want daggerboard or not. dhmark
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lenthomas



Joined: 01 Aug 2012
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:16 pm    Post subject: Thanks for the advice Reply with quote

I have been recommended the Starboard Go. I will seek an older version of that board and in the meantime keep trying with the Samba. Do you think a smaller rig could help greatly? With some help from Hot Sails Maui I have finally gotten the tuning on the AWOL 5.5 pretty good. At 135 pounds do you think that size should be ok for 10-14 knots? I have even thought about a 3.7. Is that too small? Thank you all for all your help.
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d0uglass



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 1286
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida

PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Bic Samba is notoriously tippy. Even though it is a longboard, it's tippier than some shortboards.

I'd look for a wider and floatier longboard. The Kona ONE is a popular one that works well for both non-planing and planing windsurfing. It has 220 liters volume.

The GO is pretty stable, but it's not really intended for non-planing windsurfing.

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Sailboarder



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 656

PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll second d0uglass recommendation on the Kona ONE. I own one and it's a keeper since it's a very versatile board. It may glide a little less than the Mistral you've used in very light wind but it will be easier to use and more fun in planning wind. It also has intrisic safety since it has good flotation and a daggerboard.

I think your 5.5 sail size is ok for you. If you use James' sail calculator, you will see that 14 kts will barely get you on the plane. Meaning that with more experience, you will use that sail in higher winds. A 3.7 would be the recommended sail for a beginner without sail handling experience. I assume you are more advanced than that. I guess the best you can do is to try again you 5.5 in lighter winds to figure out if you are close to be overwhelmed by the weight and the pull of the sail before getting something smaller if needs be.
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NOVAAN



Joined: 28 Sep 1994
Posts: 1544

PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get a larger SUP. Make sure it has a sail connection. They are very stable and glide great in lite wind. If you goal is to get up on a plane then go for the Kona. Stable, good glide in light wind and can get moving if the wind picks up. Hard to find one used. As for a sail, a 5.5 if set up correctly should be perfect. If you don't downhaul or outhaul enough, the sail will feel heavy and get over powered quickly. How old are your sail. The new stuff is so much better than what we all learned on 20 or 30 years ago. Look on the buy sell adds and find a nice 3 to 5 year old sail for a hundred bucks. Just make sure it been taken care of.....
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spennie



Joined: 13 Oct 1995
Posts: 975
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 on the Kona One. I bought one this year and have been having a lot of fun with it in a variety of disciplines. Makes a pretty good SUP. 58 yrs. old, sailng for 23 of them.
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joe_windsurfxxx



Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

you want to keep costs down
you want to uphaul some sails that you are having difficulty with...
you have a harness

yesterday i was having difficulty uphauling my sail as well
i adjusted my EZ uphaul and i felt it was MUCH easier
not all people like them, but when they work for you and your sail then YAHOO

they are NOT expensive and do require some adjustment which just takes time
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