I'm 6'2 and 180lbs. Is this a good setup for me?

frogseatflies · Joined: 19 Jul 2013 Posts: 4

I'm a beginner. I've owned and sailed two Hobie 16's. I'm athletic. I've never windsurfed.

I'm looking at getting a new Fanatic Viper 80L. It's a setup that comes with the Chinook Power Glide Rig and a 5.5 sail. Is this good for me? Thanks.

windward1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2000 Posts: 1400

No.
You will need a much larger board to start. If you are anywhere near that you can take a lesson or two or visit someplace that you can, you will get a wealth of information on what you need to start with and what to look out for. Often the first board that you use is not the one you would buy if you are athletic as you may learn fast and be ready for a more intermediate board early on. The lessons will help you know that, or not, as the case may be.

rhorton1 · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 88

Do you mean the Fanatic Viper 80?

The 80 in the title seems to be the board width, not volume....

http://www.fanatic.com/product/viper/#productDetailsTabs2

If that is, in fact, the board you're talking about, it would be a fine beginner board.

Try not to blow too much money on a beginner board.... you'll likely outgrow that relatively quickly unless you live in a low-wind area where a high-volume board is useful. For beginner gear, try and buy on sale or used!

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

how about a board that worx for beginners yet one may never grow out of?

kona one.

http://www.konaone.com/

i've been sailing since 1983. i really like sailing the kona one.

UncleRandy · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 63

I'm with jingebritsen on this one I'm 6'2" 200 lb and one of my
Most used board's is my excoet windsup 11'8" i use it in lite wind
7 to 20 also work's as a sup on day's when there little to no wind.

U2U2U2

jsampiero · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 677

80 is the width, not the volume. That's a fine board for your first board.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Let's not forget that Frogs' goal is commuting between anchored fishing spots in Florida (see his last thread). Wouldn't sheer volume be an important criterion? Doesn't that bump the Kona 1, at 220L and with a daggerboard) up the list for its size and versatility? That presumes, of course, that its daggerboard will just swing up when it hits bottom, as no venue is a consistent 24 inches deep.

windward1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2000 Posts: 1400

My bad. I thought the OP was indicating that it was an 80 liter board. 80 cm wide is a different story and results in a different answer.

The comments by other posters above are correct.

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

Frogs,

The Viper will be a bit more stable than the Kona at 80 cm vs 70. I think the Kona can be a more versatile long term investment. I'm an intermediate sailor and I still have a lot of fun on it. I sail it with sails between 9.5 and 5.2, altough the 5.2 conditions must not be too choppy to still enjoy the ride. This board is very versatile, not difficult to use. The duck tail is not a gimmick either, and my next long board (if not a K1) will have one too for sure.

The Kona world championship will happen soon in Florida. There will be used or very slightly used boards available for you if interested.

KONA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 October 31 – November 5 2014, Guy Harvey Islander Resort

If you think you will sail in very light wind, you might as well consider an old (and free) dacron sail too, about 6.0 m. They are very light, and will perform much better than your 5.5 in light wind.

You might also want to start with a larger sail if you allready know well how to sail. I peronnally restarted windsurfing with a 7.5 @190lbs. Such a sail is not too big, and can be used to learn to plane in medium winds too.