First shortboard?

Mike G. · Post by **Mike G.** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 12:17 pm

I've been sailing a GO/FS for the last 2 seasons, but looking to
make the move to a smaller board for higher wind conditions.
Can't afford a new board, so I'll be looking for a used one.

Any suggestions for what I should look for? I weigh about 165lb..

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 1:20 pm

I suggest my first shorter board and my last slalom board. My first short board was the Mistral Screamer I. It is the best board I have ever owned. It has tremendous range, is stable and slashy, very tunable with fins and the later constructions were quite light. It is 9, 1" though has a pin tail so can sail down to 4.2 with the right fin. There is one for sale in Classifieds which I have been giving serious thought to.

The other board I would suggest is the Score Series from Mistral. I had the Score V88 and like the Screamer it was an extremely versatile board. It carried a 6.6m sail down to about 4.0m. It was short and wide and very turny. I could have as much fun on this board in slalom conditions as I could with boards much smaller in sub 4.0 conditions. Again this board was very tunable with fin selection. The board I rode may still be for sale up at the House, otherwise they may have some like it still.

obviously both of these are not new boards and there are plenty within the last few years that are similar. From my 20+ years windsurfing these two shapes were the most enjoyable and most versatile I have ever riden.

Things to think about.
How much overlap do you want between your boards? You want some overlap at least one sail should work on both.

How high of winds do you want to go out in?

What type of sail will you use with the board?

Good luck

dave t · Post by **dave t** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 1:29 pm

I don't really know what to tell you to get but there seems to be some great deals on closeout gear available. I've seen brand new boards but previous years models as low as $500 + shipping and depending on the model etc. you can hardly beat that even at the swap. See the great deals post here from a few days back.

Just my $.02

Eric S · Post by **Eric S** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:36 pm

Mike G. wrote:I've been sailing a GO/FS for the last 2 seasons, but looking to
make the move to a smaller board for higher wind conditions.
Can't afford a new board, so I'll be looking for a used one.

Any suggestions for what I should look for? I weigh about 165lb..

I can't comment directly on what higher wind used board to get or being at your weight (I was around 205 last season), but I can comment on moving from the GO/FS to a 'smaller board'.

I did that move last year. I started with a Starboard Carve 123L after the GO/FS. My weight was around 240 when I first started trying to ride the board. It was very frustrating. I went from a floater that I could rip on to a sinker that I had no idea how to use. (Yes, 240lbs on a 123L board is a sinker--around 230 is neutral)

For you best fun I would suggest a 'neutral' board for you.

In general this formula looks like this

Rider: 75Kg
Board/Fin: 8Kg
Rig and stuff: 15Kg

total 98Kg

You might find that a 100Lt board is just boyant. This would be the smallest board that I would try comming of a GO/FS. You will be able to slog around. You will have enough board to go out and come back under non-planing conditions and if you get on the plane, this will be so much different than you are used to.

Go for whatever you want!

I found that I was able to ride even smaller boards last year. The things you need to learn how to judge are:

How strong the wind/ how consistant?

Do I have friends that can get me in if I fail?

How much frustration am I willing to deal with today?

blah, blah,

I've found that the smaller the board you can ride the more fun it is to turn and play in the wavelets. It's not fun if you are under boarded and sailed and a BARGE in the GORGE is comming at you.

Try before you buy if you can. I'll let you try my 90L Starboard Fish and 116L Starboard FreeSex if we hook up. I'll let you ride, you pay for any damage to the boards.

later!

Mike G. · Post by **Mike G.** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:34 pm

Tighe, what's the largest sail which works well on the board?

Tighe wrote:I suggest my first shorter board and my last slalom board. My first short board was the Mistral Screamer I. It is 9, 1" though has a pin tail so can sail down to 4.2 with the right fin.

Mike G. · Post by **Mike G.** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:44 pm

Damage? Me??

Sounds like fun.. a trip to Waconia sounds in order come ice out..

As far as wind conditions, I mostly sail the northern burb lakes, like
WBL and Cedar in WI., so generally 5.0 or larger conditions.. a handful
of sub-5 days (at least when I've been able to be out..)

Eric S wrote:Try before you buy if you can. I'll let you try my 90L Starboard Fish and 116L Starboard FreeSex if we hook up. I'll let you ride, you pay for any damage to the boards.

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 4:54 pm

I was planning on unloading this board at the swap and I haven't posted it yet in the classifieds but it may fit the bill:

2000 Seatrend ATV 271, 96 Liters, 5.0 to 7.0 sail range. Great slalom/bump & jump board. $400 obo.

I weigh 150 and sail WBL quite frequently. Currently have an AHD Maxride so I don't use this one.

I live in WBL - call me if yer interested: 651-426-9109

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:08 pm

Mike,

I used to sail the Screamer from 7.0m to 4.2m. It loved 5.5-6.0m.

I weight 180lbs. If you are lighter you could probably slide the range up a bit.

aver0031 · Post by **aver0031** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 11:23 am

Mike,
I am looking to buy a StarBoard Go 170 - 180 lt. Let me know, if you find a new board for yourself, and would be interested your Go board.

Genna
651-503-3773 or aver0031@yahoo.com

LAKAWA

First shortboard?

First shortboard?

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Re: First shortboard?

Go/FS