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davidcdanna8941



Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 25

PostPosted: Sun May 22, 2016 9:52 pm    Post subject: Hello, I'm new Reply with quote

Hi everyone. I'm trying to get into windsurfing. I tried it a few times already but always on rental equipment. I'm looking for beginner gear but I'm having a hard time with that also.

I'm looking at a board that might be big enough and I was just going to see if I could get some opinions.

About me: I'm 40, M, athletic build, 175#, 6'0"
I water ski, snow ski, and I ride standup jetskis all summer long.

I think I have pretty good balance when it comes to water sports.

I'm thinking about getting this Board: https://houston.craigslist.org/spo/5521356644.html

Fanatic Cat Race 368:
368cm long
66cm wide
250 L?


And I was just wondering if you guys think that's a good idea, or if I should hold out for something a bit wider...and maybe not as long.

Thanks for any input!

DD
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joethewindsufa



Joined: 10 Oct 2010
Posts: 1190
Location: Montréal

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

do NOT buy old boards without "foot attachment"/mast base
they are proprietary and NOT same as "modern" ones
that track is also NOT easy to make work-around ...
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pmlct



Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
Location: Middletown CT

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would tell you to get a newer, shorter and wider board. The older longboards are not very stable, they are a pain to transport and store and will likely be tough to sell in the future. I see wide learning boards on craigslist fairly often. Since you will outgrow it as your skills progress don't spend a lot of money on it or continue to rent until you can buy something more advanced.
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joethewindsufa



Joined: 10 Oct 2010
Posts: 1190
Location: Montréal

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

careful pmlct ...

a lot depends on location, location, location

i am a "weekend warrior" in a lightwind venue
most of my sessions are on longboards or large/wide freeride boards(JP SLW92)
WindSUPs are making a presence now as well

if OP lives near Houston, then he needs to see what works there
depending on his availability too - some become wind chasers

perhaps keep renting and look for used rental gear first ??
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jingebritsen



Joined: 21 Aug 2002
Posts: 3371

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mast foot concerns aside, i think most folks that have ever sailed a planing long board and have remained in a humble venue could ever out grow them.

too many days where the planing long board works and virtually anything else besides formula race gear is the only other viable choice.

please, before stating the industry dogma about long boards, use one for a while.

what a lucky find. search the internet for any retro fit ideas IF the mast track, or foot parts are not functional.

that board rocks.

_________________
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www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/
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davidcdanna8941



Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 25

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good info! Thanks for the input fellas. Especially about the mast foot/track bit.

I'm gonna wait till I have my mast foot with me to see if it will work on this board. If it does I'll probably get it. I'm just a little worried about the stability. I don't wanna feel like I'm rolling off a log every time I uphaul.
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joethewindsufa



Joined: 10 Oct 2010
Posts: 1190
Location: Montréal

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2016 4:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

of all my longboards, the CAT was the most floaty and stable to uphaul
if your feet are placed balanced , you can uphaul a 10 m² sail no problem
when one is over the centre line uphaul is NO issue !!

http://joewindsurfer.blogspot.ca/2011/09/fanatic-ultra-cat.html
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fanatik



Joined: 17 Sep 1994
Posts: 51

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2016 11:19 am    Post subject: learning to windsurf Reply with quote

Windsurf magazine did a little test teaching some beginners on old long boards, and new wide, stable, shorter designs.
The new gear made a big difference in learning to turn, and generally get sailing.
The long boards tend to take too long to make a change in direction, so the feedback to what you've done is too slow, and you may think what you did was wrong. The shorter more responsive gear, gives quicker feedback, so you know if your move was on the right track.
Shorter wider is better. Extremely stable, so you can work on sail technique, and respond quicker to rider input.
That's my vote for something more like a GO, Easyrider, etc.
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shreddbob



Joined: 31 Mar 1987
Posts: 361
Location: Hawaii

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2016 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome David! It's all good. The equipment you can afford that is available is better than not doing anything. More important than the equipment at your stage is getting some instruction! Tips from other windsurfers can help a lot. Even better are lessons...and as others have said if you do lessons that include the equipment then you don't have to buy immediately.

I do think the Fanatic Cat would be a great starter board. Best to take it to a lake first to get the hang of balance etc with no waves/chop to get in the way.

I think kids benefit the most from the new short wide stuff. An athletic motivated person like yourself should do fine on the Cat. My .02

Bob
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jingebritsen



Joined: 21 Aug 2002
Posts: 3371

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2016 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

there is a ton of stability provided by length. yes, side to side stability is less, but a dagger can offset some of that.

life long value of a planing long board is worthy of noting.

_________________
www.aerotechsails.com
www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/
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