Another old guy rediscovering windsurfing

Question
I learned to sail at the Gorge and still have all the high wind stuff (Mistral Stinger) in the garage but...now spend a month per summer on the Atlantic ocean and need a board that can handle 10-20 knots, allow me to uphaul and tack if necessary and still be more fun than an old one design! I am 200 lbs - what size should I look at? I am confused with the new shapes.  oh yeah, I would also like the kids to learn on this board!

Answer
Hey Peter,

The newer shapes of boards is that they are wider, shorter, and more stable than boards of old. Because of the wider design, most people can get away with a lower volume of board and still uphaul, tack, and learn on. There are a few different boards that would work well for you in the 10-20kt range and still be good learner boards for the kids. Bic Nova, Starboard Go to mention a couple. They are wide for stability, retractable daggerboards for learning, going upwind, and would work well for all you mention.

Check out windsurfingmag.com for reviews on light wind boards and also check out the links section to go to the manufacture websites for info on boards. For your size and good for the kids, look at the 170-200 ltr boards. This range will work well for you in light to moderate winds and still be plenty stable for learning on.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover