Been windsurfing a few months and am looking to upgrade gear.Just wondering for moreton bay would a formula board be a good or bad idea as a next board.
To geta formula board working properly you will need an intermediate level of skill and reasonable fitness to handle big gear. They are more suited to going up and down wind rather than reaching.
You are better off witha large free ride board which will work nicely with a 9 m sail for light wind. It will also work with smaller sails and fin.
If you have only been sailing a few months I wouldn't be getting a formula board.
like Waiting4wind said large freeride board would be the way to go.
what board have you been learning on.
Yeah like the other guys said, a formula board is not an easy board to get along with, it is designed purely for upwind and downwind speed in light winds. you really need to know what your doing to sail one. Go with a freeride board or even better a 'progression board' i.e. starboard GO, you will have 10x more fun. a formula board at your level will leave you frustrated and will kill your progression. Remember even amongst competent windsurfers, only a minority will own a formula board.
Purchased a 2nd hand formula board a year or so ago. Been sailing longer than I care to remember and I would classify myself a very compentent sailor.
I can't seem to master the formula board. Always feel uncomfortable on it. I may have to hassle a few locals to point me in the right direction.
Just remember - you can never have too many board - buy a free-ride and a formula board.
If you want to get into racing and competition then get a formula otherwise get a large free ride or slalom board.
Racing is fun, it's more laid back than you would think and you end a much better sailor from hanging with your new mates
I agree with JustinL, Im a very average sailor and got into racing last year with the goal of getting fitter and improving and havent looked back since. Spent more time sailing in the last year than ever before learnt heaps and even lost some kilos. Got myself a formula now only sailed one once but cant wait to get back into racing every weekend.
Thanx heaps for everyone's feedback really appreciate it.The main reason I posted this is obviously gain more knowledge of formula boards..My reasoning for this is that my 2003 exocet cruiser is apparently a legal formula board as well as a beginner board...Well they were in 2003 anyway....