Beginner Windsurf / SUP Board recommendations

LakeSurf · Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Posts: 81

I'm just getting into windsurfing but have SUP'd for a while. I'm 180lbs, am pretty athletic with good board feet, but have a lot to learn about sailing. I'll only get to windsurf 10 or so times a year on the lake by my house, with winds 8-12mph and stronger gusts. I may be able to go the Outer Banks once in a while too, but my time is pretty limited now.

I've been learning on a HiFly Motion board which is super stable, but also super heavy and feels like I'm slogging too much. I've also tried a Malibu Mistral. I can up-haul and balance, but at only 24" wide, it's too unstable for my ability and more frustrating than fun.

So I'm thinking about buying a windsurfing board, and I could justify spending a bit more ($1,000 or so) if I could find something that is good to SUP on too. I SUP more than I windsurf due to lack of wind.

I could get a new Starboard Windsup for about $1,000. Does anyone have any experience surfing and SUPing on that it? Any other recommendations?

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

Of course, you're free to spend as much money as you wish.....
Stick with the Motion. In your winds, you can only slog around at 3-7 mph anyways, and no amount of money short of a personal watercraft will allow you to go faster.

LakeSurf · Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Posts: 81

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 661

exocet windsup should be considered

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

There is a ton of discussion on this website if you do a search. I did some research last year but never pulled the trigger. For lake use I would look at something fairly long for good glide and upwind ability. Then there is always the choice of daggerboard or no. I would insist on a real mast track, not one of those silly holes that doesn't look terribly sturdy. (Models vary so much on this that I would ask someone to look at the actual board before sending it to me.) This model seemed to push all the buttons for me, though I don't know if it is still available: http://www.isthmussailboards.com/2016-Starboard-Windsup-Freeride-ASAP-PLANING/productinfo/SB15WSF/

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

I don't agree with the LeeD comment about only being able to slog at 3-7 mph with your winds no matter what. I do agree a fairly new beginner will not be able to plane a 90 cm wide, 290 cm long, 18.9kg board in 8-12 mph winds. But I do think getting fairly close to the 8-12 mph wind speeds is possible with a 7.5 to 8.5 sail, though that would take more than a beginner's skills.

I'm biased toward longboard windsurfers that are at least 10'6" or 320cm long, preferably 11'6" or 350 cm long or more such as over 12' or over 360 cm. My Kona One Design is 350 cm long and 70 cm wide (28"). I use it for SUP as well as windsurfing, but I started windsurfing many years ago so balancing on it for SUP is not an issue.

wernerhickey · Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Posts: 76

Here is a vid showing windsuping in very low winds trying to thread along the multi directional swell - great fun, the gliding sensation is addictive when winds are light.

https://vimeo.com/139110636

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 661

https://vimeo.com/160901338

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

hey Lucaro:

thought that was a Formula board - so wide in the vid Smile

neither of you are riding down waves which is where i thought WindSUPs would especially be of interest

light wind + waves s/b amazing !!

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 661

[quote="joethewindsufa"]hey Lucaro:

thought that was a Formula board - so wide in the vid Smile

[quote]

A bit weird looking on the beach too. But it did seem to plane up pretty easy and fits in the owners van.

To OP I would strongly suggest getting a windsup/long board that will plane and has a proper mast track as was mentioned earlier in the thread