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First Time Buyer

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Created by ZwSails > 9 months ago, 18 Apr 2021
ZwSails
2 posts
18 Apr 2021 5:24AM
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Howdy,

Avid water sports fan who just moved 100 feet from a local urban (good size) lake. Regular winds around 9-15 mph into the evenings and plenty of shoreline winds on the coast if I need to find more wind later on - (Seattle area).

215, 6'4, board sports/surf/sail enthusiast but have no idea what sort of volumes are needed in terms of SUP/wind surf.

I have my eyes on a deal for a full kit with a 9'8/28in ~141 liter volume Starbord "WindSUP" Super Fish Sport Tech board with Starboard 6.5 m2 sail

For what I think is a decent price as everything is included (sail, board, boom, paddle, straps, mast etc) all told about $700.

Obviously a beginner to the sport but am confident I could advance quickly (athletic &board/sail experienced)...

Am I out of my mind thinking I could fit on this volume/style ? Any recommendations are welcome... mostly looking for lake/shoreline wind and paddle days, nothing crazy

Regards
Volume Noob

Bristol
ACT, 347 posts
18 Apr 2021 9:31AM
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I assume "215" is your weight in pounds. Equates to 97 kg.

141 litres volume seems about right, in my opinion. Others will say you can go smaller, especially if sailing in salt water.

I'm a bit more conservative than most, sailing a 150 litre board for my 84 kilos. But that's with a foil, where shape is more important than volume.

BSN101
WA, 2372 posts
18 Apr 2021 7:40AM
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Width of the board aids in stability when learning. Sail will be a handful at first. A smaller one will allow you to get the feel of the wind but not wear you out quickly while uphauling a lot. best seek out other sailors in the area for advice or local shop.

Grantmac
2317 posts
18 Apr 2021 8:21AM
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I sailed near seattle for years.
Get a board which can take a foil, you'll be on one soon enough. ~150L and wide is a good start.

This local group is very helpful and active:
groups.io/g/nw-windtalk

ZwSails
2 posts
18 Apr 2021 9:05AM
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Select to expand quote
Oofda, that's just enough support for me to go for it,
As per the site for the board : (can't link)

Find speed and carving precision on the Starboard Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard! This Starboard Paddleboard features a deep mono concave construction and has a long profile that ensures you get greater lift off the waves and quicker acceleration. A top of the line ride, the Super Fish Sport Tech suits the experienced surfer perfectly and gives the performance they need for a smooth surf style. Step onto your very own Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard and you'll be the talk of the town!

Key Features of the Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard:
Length (cm): 290Thickness (cm): 11.5Volume (L): 141


Looks like a pretty standard/good boom sail foot combo.

Asking 780, due to age of board I think I can get to 700 or 650.

If I were to try to "test it out" what would be a good indication i should look for- would it float well??

I (regular) surfed an 8 ft fish that I thoroughly enjoyed for a few years... seems like a great combo that will surf/paddle/windsurf all slightly well/enough to have fun with...

Thanks for the help

Mark _australia
WA, 23448 posts
18 Apr 2021 12:14PM
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I reckon its a great deal

Just make sure its got no damage that will let water in, that's bad to styro cored boards.

If the mast attaches to just a metal thread screw in the board, make sure you clean that out with a thread tap very carefully as they get tight with corrosion and will rip out (if its a mast track, then fine)

Make sure its not soft in the standing area, SUPS with a lot of use will compress. If its dented, fine .... but if its dented and really spongey give it a miss (or get a good price knowing you have a $200 repair coming sometime)

WillyWind
579 posts
18 Apr 2021 12:37PM
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Select to expand quote
ZwSails said..

Oofda, that's just enough support for me to go for it,
As per the site for the board : (can't link)

Find speed and carving precision on the Starboard Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard! This Starboard Paddleboard features a deep mono concave construction and has a long profile that ensures you get greater lift off the waves and quicker acceleration. A top of the line ride, the Super Fish Sport Tech suits the experienced surfer perfectly and gives the performance they need for a smooth surf style. Step onto your very own Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard and you'll be the talk of the town!

Key Features of the Super Fish Sport Tech Paddleboard:
Length (cm): 290Thickness (cm): 11.5Volume (L): 141



Looks like a pretty standard/good boom sail foot combo.

Asking 780, due to age of board I think I can get to 700 or 650.

If I were to try to "test it out" what would be a good indication i should look for- would it float well??

I (regular) surfed an 8 ft fish that I thoroughly enjoyed for a few years... seems like a great combo that will surf/paddle/windsurf all slightly well/enough to have fun with...

Thanks for the help


As someone said earlier, beginner boards tend to be wider and have a little bit more volume but I am assuming too wide won't work for paddle boarding. Since this is your first board, it will be hard for you to tell if it will work or not. If I were you, I would try to find online reviews as a sailboard and When checking out the gear I would check for soft spots and water damage (press here and there with your thumb for soft spots and knock on it for water damage-I am guessing you know about it based on your background). BTW, I found the ad and everything seems to be in very good shape.



Check out grant's link. I also sail in lake Washington and am a member of the group. We are 30 forumites and many more lurkers. If you post there you will get good advice for the local conditions (popular spots are Newcastle beach Park, OO Denny park, Margnuson Park, and Sail Sand Point) If you need smaller sails, you can also ask on that forum; I am pretty sure you will find good deals.
see you on the water!

segler
WA, 1656 posts
18 Apr 2021 10:04PM
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+1 for the nw-windtalk. Big group of VERY helpful and experience windsurfers/windfoilers who can guide you to the right gear for the Seattle area.



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"First Time Buyer" started by ZwSails