As mentioned in another thread I'm looking for a beginner board for this year then happy to change it. Have used a hifly motion (220 I think?) was fine, tried a magnum 170? and couldnt stay on the bloody thing! It was a lot narrower.

I now have a quandrie as to what board to buy I have seen a fanatic viper90 (240litres) is this too big? I'm 16 stone 6ft 3.

I have about 250 squid for a board or 300 for a board and sail (have mast, boom etc..)

Help!

Sorry al felt I would not be confident enough on the eray you found.

[Edited on 19-5-2007 by welshtrowy]

You're probably right... I didn't realise you were 6ft 3 and 16 stone, so you are gonna need a bigger board... you'll have to see what other recommend though as I haven't had a board much bigger than 100 litres for about 20 years, so don't really know much about them!

Getting the balance right between something that won't be too small for you to use at all and something that'll you'll grow out of too quickly is always a problem during the early stages of learning though, especially when buying 2nd hand... Although that said, beginners boards should be fairly easy to come by and should be relatively easy to sell on once you've outgrown it, so as a 'heavy-weight' you probably will be looking at 'proper' begineers board rather than a slightly more progressive board.

Al.

Thanks Al, I really enjoyed my first days sailing until the point I switched boards I then wasted so much energry getting in and out of the water I became somewhat dispondent.

Like I say dont mind if I have to change boards within the first year just want to experience the basics and build up some confidence.



Any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fanatic-Viper90-and-full-rig-in-exellant-condition_W0QQitemZ180115946138QQihZ008QQcategoryZ117171QQssPageNameZWDV WQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


[Edited on 19-5-2007 by welshtrowy]

I would have thought that a Viper would be a good choice for the early stages. Either the Viper 80 or Viper 90.

The 80 has 225 ltrs. These days the width is often more important than the volume and the name of the viper refers to it's width, i.e. the Viper 80 is 80cm wide.

These board have dagger boards as well for extra stability and upwind performance in non planing conditions. Also these boards will still be good for learning footstraps and harness and getting into planing. They also work with small sails for learning the basics but then will work as a light wind boars later on with outboard footstarps and big sails upto around 10.0m

And as Al saya they are easy to sell on to other people entering the sport, but I would be inclined to keep it for light winds and buy a second board for windier conditions.

I see a Viper 80 on ebay at the moment that looks quite good.

Hope that helps a little.

Andy

Thanks Andy, I think I will be going for a viper. I went after the viper 90 on ebay last night but it went for 400 and I was'nt sure if that was inflated or not!

Really struggling to find anything in my price bracket that isnt crap to be honest. At this rate summer will be over

As well as ebay try looking on Boardseeker

Boards


Good luck

might be worth looking for a used 'Fanatic Shark' or a 'Bic Techno'. They are both good boards and will do for learning and early planing with a big sail.
If you see a board you like on eBay, U2U everyone on this thread I'm sure and they'll give you some good advice.
They are all good guys
but don't tell them I said that or they'll get big headed

I'm a haapy bunny just got myself a jp new school 180 slightly over budget but heh she can only divorce me the once........

Thanks for your help guys looking forward to the weekend cmon!

by th way looking for a all round sail to rig on a 465 mast

Hi all I have come across a 6m north trans am which I am hoping will be suitable to use as a general sail with my jp180 (see above) do you think its suitable?

I,m 6ft 3 and about 100 kilos so I'm a big lad (as the wife says!)

I would really appreciate the feedback before purchasing!

http://www.boards.co.uk/clsfds/pix/clsfds_2419.JPG

That should be fine.....

You will of course need more than one sail eventually, but this will be a good starting point.

You'll soon be tooled up and ready to go!

Al.

I was about to say something stupid like you would'nt believe the gear in my garage but then realised where i was

I have 2 north sails relatively new a 5.7 convertigo and 6.5 but both have cams with them which I'm told are no good to me at the moment. I also have an old bic fun slalom5.7 and a Gaastra 5m (needs a tear fixing) 3 masts 3 booms and two v old boards to clear!

By the way thanks for the advice al

[Edited on 31-5-2007 by welshtrowy]