Hi, I'm 81kg and have only been windsurfing for about 3 months on a Starboard Go 171L using 5.3 to 7.2 sails. I can get on the plane quickly, hook in to the harness, etc but have yet to practice beach start, water start, getting in the footstraps, carve gybing etc.
I am looking for a good 'next step down' freeride board for sailing mostly on flat (lake) water, and someone locally has a Fanatic Skate 112L board for sale at a great price (not sure what year, but it's probably an early 2000's as it has the bat-wing nose, see photo):
Even though it is a freestyle board, I have heard that it may be fine for freeriding.
Would anyone here recommend the Fanatic Skate as a 'next step down' freeride board to a relative newbie, or should I stay away?
Thanks guys!
Should just ask him if you can take it for a spin? Give him a deposit or whatever. He should be cool with that?
I'd say it'd be pretty good for what your after! Perhaps a tad big and a bit suscepible to banging over chop. Maybe not because its an older thinner shape. If its super cheap you probably won't loose much money on it and your first board usually cops a flogging anyway.
Also it might be worthwhile having a go at some hire equipment and sussing out what you're after and what you like before dropping some big money on gear. Good luck! 
PS! Check out the Tricktionary for some good tips on all those windsurfing goals!
Is it windy where you live?
If it is then go for it, especially if you can sail from one side to the other, get off, turn around, and sail back.
I would say that it is usually fair light winds in my area, say around 12-15 knots. Would the Skate work ok for these conditions?
That would depend on how good you are at windsurfing. Could you get a go of the board? This is probably the only way to say for sure one way or another. If you can uphaul your sail on this board and sail back to where you started in light winds then its probably a goer for you.
My Opinion for what its worth.
The skate is a freestyle board. Its main design brief would have been -quick early planing, good at sliding (spinning out) and widish for stabilty. It has a funny nose and nose deck pad for riding backwards and to do all those flicky spinny things.
The early planing and stability would be a good thing for you, but you would most likely need to upgrade to a bigger freeride fin.
Considering your weight, ability, and the lightish winds (that you stated) that are in your area, I think that you would be much better off looking for a freeride board in the 120-130l range - you'll be able to keep it as your light wind board as you progress. It would be an ideal platform for to learn all the skills you aiming for.
Its a big jump from 170L to 110L, It won't be easy at your level to uphaul on and it will probably stall your progress. Also consider with winter comming up you probably don't want to spend to much time in the drink.
i recon the go 170 should be perfect board for learning to water star, getting in the straps and not too bad for getting those flowing gybes.
the smaller board will make all these tings harder to learn.
but sure if you want to have a feel at a smaller board get it, smaller gear is where its at but don't get rid of the go!
sounds like you will get the hang of the smaller board if its only been three months and your planing around.
I have one of these and it still gets a lot of use on the Lake. Mine is 100 lts though and sails I use are 5.2 & 5.8m. I use it for its intended purpose(freestyle) but still love blasting around on it. Where do you live somemathguy?
I got 110L skate as my big board, I weight 88kg... with 6.5 sail I can plane in 15 knots, so in my opinion you should take it :)
these early skates were very good allround boards, not nearly as dedicted to freestyle as the new freestlye machines. Definately dont let the fact that it is a freestyle board turn you off.
i reckon go for it!
im 87kg and have a 110L FSW and can uphaul setc on it easily.
I use it mainly for just crusing around on sails less than 6.5m.
Can get it going in less than 15 knots easy enough.
HOw much they asking?$
Buy it, i had one of these and regret selling it. I put a bigger freeride fin on it with 6,7 sail no problem.Gets going good as well. I even used mine in the ocean.
