Expert: Patrick Dean - 1/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: Years ago I owned a Fanitic Cobra and loved the stability and relative speed for the time that board was popular. Would like to have the stability and speed in a new design. The Mistral Screamer might fit that need? Would like for use in light wind and also up to 20+ winds. What would you suggest for board and rig so that I may get back into windsurfing...and maybe even teach my wife! Thanks!

ANSWER: The key point will be whether you can use the same board in 20+ winds and also teach your wife on it.  My experience says that you cannot use 1 board to do both.  Teaching requires a very stable floaty board in order not to frustrate the learner.  Frustrated wife trying to learn windsurfing = wife losing interest rapidly (ask me how I know ;-) I taught my wife 20 years ago on large heavy but stable equipment and she learned quickly and progressed to high wind sinker boards in no time. The boards available now are much better for learning and progressing rapidly on. Decide first what you can reasonably expect from the board you want to buy.  If it includes teaching your wife there are some really great boards that are stable enuf to teach on and also for you to sail in moderately strong wind say up to 15mph.  A board that is stable in 20mph wind is going to be way too small to teach your wife to sail on.  Let me know which way you want to go and I will give you more advice.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What board is available that would be similar to the old fanatic cobra for light winds and up to intermediate performance? Thank you for your input and reply
Rob

Answer
I wouldn't look for a comparison since today's boards are really different in all areas.  Tell me what your approx. weight is and what type of water conditions you plan to sail in and I can give you a good idea of the board size in volume you should be looking at.