Hi
This is the start of my second summer windsurfing (in Perth). Last year I bought myself a big (160L) board and have learned how to get up to planing speed and at the end of last summer was in the footstraps and harness all the time, I'm a bit scratchy at moment (covered in catapult bruises) but am sure that in a week or so I'll be back to where I was and cant help but think life might be easier with a less massive board to lug around.
I dont want to spend the money to purchase anything new but have my eye on the second hand market.... at the moment there is a 105L Starboard Kombat for sale on this website, would anyone have any ideas as to whether this might be appropriate as a second board? Or is this over-reaching?
Any advice appreciated.
I think around 120 litre is a sensible drop. Probably really depends on how much time you get to sail, how fit you are etc. Biggest mistake I made was going too small to fast. Second hand is a good option too as you don't feel so bad when you crunch/bang up the front of your board. Been there also.
Thanks ejmack and windxtacy
I get to sail every weekend and sometimes (one day a week at most) after work.
I weigh about 76kg (its been a while since I checked) and am reasonably fit (which is pretty miraculous considering all the nasty things I do to my body)
I only sail on the Swan river at the moment and figure that's all I'll be doing until I'm confident enough in my abilities to hit the ocean.... I have aspirations to wave sail one day (I'm a surfer) - but figure that day is a long way off!
Can you waterstart yet? If yes, go for the Kombat. They are a good all round board with a bit of bump and jump capability.
If no, something a bit bigger (120L) would be easier for you to uphaul on.
Even if waterstarting you will need to eb committed to jump on the Kombat - it will be hard initially and feel slow to plane and skittish once up on the plane.
120L freeride sounds better but at the rate you have progressed so far maybe you can go smaller than some people did in their first step down.
See if you can test ride somebody's board
A test ride is a great idea.
I always test ride before I buy.
It's pretty easy to quickly get an idea of what you like, and especially if you need more volume.
Look around for someone at the beach who has what you're thinking of and ask for a go. Alternately the seller of the Kombat may be happy to let you try it.
go the kombat, with that TOW you should sh/t it in. Your only a lightweight, thats heaps of volume, unless you are a bit unco.
Thanks all
My commitment to regular crashes and just plain falling off has meant I've had to suss out water starting so yep, I can do that (well I can do it on my current boat).
If I saw something reasonable 2nd hand for sale in Perth around the 120L mark I'd be on it (assuming my wallet didn't wuss out).
I might try rent something smaller on the weekend and see how it goes, although I did this once last summer and put my head through the sail of the hire board ..... hopefully someone else buys the Kombat in the mean time so I dont do something stupid.
Thanks again
No better way to learn to waterstart than get a board which requires you to waterstart. You only weigh 76kg so you will be able to uphaul a 105 L board, 120L will just be easier.
I personally think you will be fine on 105L, especially if you plan on keeping the big board (atleast for a little while). It depends on how committed you are and how often you plan to sail.
say no more.. grr you should be fine!
I'm a bit like you (only i'm 85kg) and am at the stage where i'm thinking of my next board. I too have thought of the Kombat for sale but after getting some advice from this forum, have decided to go around the 110 - 115L. I am in the harness everytime and can water start regularly but the extra bouancy will make life a little easier me thinks. A season or 2 with that and practice on my gybes then i will think of going below the 100L range. Can't wait
I went to 113L from 170L with my 85kg, and it was good....so with 76kg I would say 105L is ok...
if its in your budget there is a 110ltr jp funride listed in the classifieds that might be a good option.
Cheers,
Mark
I'm 70kg and love my 110litre board for light winds (10 to 18 knots). for 15 to 20 knots I use an 85litre board, 18 and above 75litres.
For your next board, I'd be looking around the 100-115litres that will work in the waves, then you'll be able to use it as a low wind wave board when you progress to the ocean. And you needn't wait too long, as long as you go out on a low swell day, ie under head high and with waves that aren't very hollow. You don't need to be able to gybe if you can water start well.
Perth mostly gets it's best swell in light winds so a light wind wave board comes in very useful.
Another possibility is a SUP you can also use them as a low wind wave board and are very stable for learning
Hey andjroo,
I reckon youll be fine on the 105, I progressed from a 131 carve to a 89L '08 kombat (Im 63kg). If you can waterstart (uphauling might even be possible on the 105) and rip along alright, it's not that big a jump, thats where I was at when I bought the kombat.
Some things I found different, as already mentioned it'll accelerate onto the plane and swing into corners quicker, loose speed a lot more rapidly and feel much looser/skittish than your big board, the hardest thing I found was how willing the nose of the kombat was to sink compared to the carve, once I learned to move straight back on the gusts it was all good.
I actually learnt to carve gybe on the smaller board too, because it reacted directly when I moved my foot over, and having to balance the rig in relation to where the board was made me carve the board all the way through too as opposed to the big board where I could put the rigs weight and my weight over the board, I couldnt get it to go past downwind.
I've finished my novel
as a side note; Id hang on to that bigger board for the light wind days when you still want to get out
The op says he/she can't waterstart so should get something that's uphaulable. Get something too sinky and you're looking for an accident at this stage.
Don't get a board to wave oriented, they're too draggy to get on the plane easily and will make you miserable. Get a freeride, or better a Freestyle-Wave or Free-Wave.
All plans on hold thanks to massive hangover but still appreciate all your advise...I feel the love.
Might be able to look at kombat this afternoon but first I heed to work out where I left my bicycl last night?
If you're keen to get into the waves, try Lano main break, great spot for learning to wave sail. Well not the best wave to ride, but easy to get out the back and good for learning to jump. And I think you'll be pretty happy with your Kombat :) What sails have you got?
Cheers Zed... I'm many many hours of practice away from getting on the ocean, but at least now I have some gear that can get me out there when I'm ready. . I've got a 5.2Neil Pride Combat, a 6m somethingorother (a decent somethingorother), and a really old Neil Pride 4.5 which I never really use..... I also have a 3.5 that came with my big board...... anyone want a 3.5m sail?
