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Board & Sail Selection, center fins

2016/7/22 14:38:11


Question
QUESTION: I'm an experienced boat sailor, getting outfitted to Windsurf our local lake.  I've windsurfed twice, 15 yrs ago.  Consensus is newer designs are best and easier to learn on, but do they point up well w/o centerboards or should I stick to cb only?
I'm 5'10" and 160#, and will lake sail with 8-15mph, gusting to 25, but variable, and some chop from boat wakes.  What size board and sails would you suggest?  I'm leaning toward 150-180L, and  5.5 and 7.4 m3 sails.  Since I'm new and will teach others, stability at rest and lower speeds is key, and I'll likely paddle it a bit as well.
I appreciate any input...

ANSWER: Get a board with a retractable dagger board.  Eventually, once you get addicted to planing in moderate to high wind, you will probably want a lighter smaller board without a daggerboard (110 to 125 liters).
Suggest a starter board around 160 to 200 liters 5.5 and 7.0 non-race sails.  
Paddle boards are usually bigger and have a different configuration.  You may find a dedicated windsurf board is slightly tippy for stand up and paddling.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks!  That all makes sense to me.  Since I'm a fast learner... (proficient on wakeboard, snowboard, and sailboats),I'd like one board to get me through beginner to intermediate skills, all on inland canyon-lake winds...
Is there a glue on temporary center-fin I could use in tandem with a big rear fin?  This would help side tipping stability and upwind water hold, correct?

I'm looking at a Bic Techno, 283cm/152L,  and these run a 70cm rear fin I believe.  With a 5.5m and 7.4m sails, I hope to mearn and plane inland.... before finding more wind in High Sierra or Nor-Cal delta.

What do you think?

Answer
Bic Techno does not have a retractable daggerboard.  I would not recommend glueing anything to the bottom of a board.  If the glue is strong enough to hold, it would probably rip the skin off the board.  If you really want a centerboard, look for a board with a retractable dagger board.  The centerboard makes learning and pointing much easier in non-planning conditions.  Have you looked into renting beginner equipment? You may only need a few days with the daggerboard if you are quick learner.  
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