mcvw
Member
Member #: 6845 Posts 3
Registered: 29-7-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
|
 posted on 29-7-2007 at 10:29 |
|
|
Beginners advice (board/equipment)
Hi everyone.
I'm new to this forum, and this is my first post - I hope it's not considered too cheeky!
I was introduced to windsurfing by my brother-in-laws father (who sails a laser at Datchet), and although I've had some help/advice
I've yet to have any "professional" lessons - and am considering taking the RYA1 Windsurfing course.
Would the "course" approach be better than single lessons?
Also, I've been scouring the local papers etc and came across an ad for some old kit for sale.
It all looks quite old, and obviously hasn't been used for 5 years or so. The ropes on the board all look old and dry - and may need
replacing(?), and the sails have quite a lot of mould on them in places.
There are no footstraps on the board, though it looks like it has mounts for them.
[EDIT]
I've just looked at the pics I have and it appears that the deck-plate is missing, and possibly also a clip/locking device that fixes
the boom to the mast.
I imagine it would be a hard job to get replacement parts for these?
[end of EDIT]
Here is a summary/description of the equipment:
- board: alpha 180 af pc competition base
- mast: rotho-duo/b
- sail1: riga world cup slalom 5.8 mast: 4.80 boom: 1.90
- sail2: gaastra sails 5.1
- boom: alpha
I took some photos and could upload them if it would help.
Would this equipment suit a beginner (I'm approx 5ft 10 and just over 14 stone)?
If so, could anyone place a value/price on the items so I could make a reasonable offer to the seller?
Thank you,
Mike
[Edited on 29-7-2007 by mcvw]
|
|
|
justal
|
| posted on 29-7-2007 at 17:28 |
|
|
Hi Mike....
The kit (if you had all the parts) would probably work, but it really wouldn't be ideal as it is just so old. modern kit is 10 times
easier to learn on and would be much better for you.
As far as value of the kit goes then it really isn't worth anything at all.... In fact the 'sellers' should probably pay you for taking
it away!... I'm not being funny, unless I'm mistaken the kit is probably the best part of 15 years old and using it would only hold you
back..... of course, it is still better than some of the kit many of us here learnt on, but it won't do you any favours.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
|
|
|
mcvw
Member
Member #: 6845 Posts 3
Registered: 29-7-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 29-7-2007 at 21:18 |
|
|
Hi Al,
Thanks for the very helpful comments.
When I first saw the kit I thought, "my god, that looks like a pile of old junk" - and without wanting to sound snobbish - I was kinda
hoping that it wasn't gonna be right for me
Could you perhaps give me some pointers towards a beginners board/setup - one which would be suitable for a few years afterwards too
(if such a thing exists)
Also, if possible an approx price range for what I would expect to pay.
Thanks again,
Mike
|
|
|
adam
|
| posted on 30-7-2007 at 17:08 |
|
|
Yep agree steer clear of that very old kit it will just make things more difficult, think I'd struggle on it!
About as old as would be sensible going is a board like a Bic Veloce 328 or F2 Phoenix 320 although these are still long and narrow by
more modern boards (thats not that bad just makes it a little more tricky to start with).
Would think a get started course would be a good way to go. They provide the kit and tuition so its a really quick way to get
started.
For the first few forays you'll want a high volume, wide board so its stable to get the hang of it, boards like the Staboard Start, Bic
Nova, F2 Prime etc - all about 200L of volume and wide.
You could buy one of these but you may outgrow it fairly quickly. Might be a better option to learn the basics on centre kit and then
go straight onto something like a Bic Techno 283.
Afraid there isn't really a board to take you right from the start to a couple of years time without a compromise (ie would feel big
and bouncy when the wind gets up)
You could go for something along the lines of a Bic Techno 293 or F2 Discovery 170/190 but if you make good progress may find it a bit
big fairly quickly (although could keep it for light winds/messing around.teaching friends/family and add a smaller board later).
Depending on your weight would want about a 6m rotational sail (no camber inducers). Again more modern sails feel a lot lighter and so
make everthing easier. This is about an average sized sail to cover most conditions would want to add at least one smaller (about 5m)
and one bigger too for when the wind is light (about 7m). Most people end up with a range - I go 4.2, 5, 5.8, 6.5, 7.5m.
Price range; if going used expect to pay about ?Ǭ£500 if can find a beginner/intermediate package of fairly modern kit:
About ?Ǭ£200 - 300 for a used board a couple of years old
?Ǭ£100 - 150 for a used sail
?Ǭ£50 - 100 for a used mast
?Ǭ£50 for a used boom
Will also need mastfoot/base and fin but may be able to get these with the board. Sometimes see older set ups (like the Bic Veloce or
Phoenix) for about ?Ǭ£300-400.
Hope this helps!
|
|
|
badexcuseforasailor
|
| posted on 31-7-2007 at 18:13 |
|
|
Welcome to the forum.
I had a taster while on holiday then once back home I done my RYA level 1 then bought a ten hour hire ticket to get some practice then
done my level 2.
I bought myself a myself a techno 283 with a 5.8 metre sail was a bit challeging at first but I got there in the end. I still use the
techno today with an 8.5m sail and big fin for the light wind days
I think the RYA courses have changed a bit but would be worth looking into
http://brogboroughlake.windsurf.me.uk/
|
|
|
mcvw
Member
Member #: 6845 Posts 3
Registered: 29-7-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 31-7-2007 at 21:54 |
|
|
Thanks guys - some real quality information 
I'd best get a wriggle on - whilst it's nice and sunny
One last question tho... My parents have a caravan at Milford-on-Sea. Would it be worth trying to learn at a local club on the coast -
or should I start on a reservoir nearby to me (i.e. Datchet, or Queen Mary)?
|
|
|
kelvin
A Force-of-Nature **  
Member #: 148 Posts 356
Registered: 22-2-2003 Location: s.wales Member Is Offline Mood: waiting 4 next blow
|
| posted on 1-8-2007 at 10:28 |
|
|
a pond always best bet for first foray . gives you that safety factor if/when something goes wrong , then when comfortable and you have
someone else to buddy up with you move to the coast .
Kel www.winsurfing.co.uk
|
|
|
Poole Windsurfing
Hot shot
Member #: 8704 Posts 40
Registered: 2-12-2009 Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 13-12-2009 at 15:21 |
|
|
Update on choosing the right beginners windsurfing equipment...
It seems like the problem of choosing the right beginners windsurfing equipment is one that will never go away, which kind of makes
sense since those looking to buy are the ones with little or no experience in the world of windsurfing.
I have written a comprehensive article on the matter giving all the insider secrets to choosing some great beginners windsurfing
equipment. The article can be found on the following page:
The Secrets to Choosing Beginners Windsurfing
Equipment
I hope this info helps those new to windsurfing from making any mistakes that are costly in both time & money!
|
|
|
windnwater
Member
Member #: 11397 Posts 1
Registered: 13-11-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 17-11-2013 at 11:53 |
|
|
Hey Mike,
I've just typed beginner windsurf package into google shopping. This website are offering a full set of beginner kit which is much more
what you are after. the kit is here: http://www.boylos.co.uk/products/view/beginner-windsurf-complete-rig />
This will be much better for you learning because the sail is light and simple and the rio will work great initially and still be good
when you start learning to plane etc. I can't see any similar packages on the results maybe try them?
|
|
|
Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk