AboutPatrick Dean Expertise Windsurfing expert. 20+ years windsurfing experience. I can give advice
about learning to windsurf, the best places to learn and the best
equipment to learn on. I can also offer advice on what equipment to
purchase based on your skill level, weight and sailing location. Ask me before you buy. The boards made in the last 5 or 6 years are so much easier to sail and learn on.
An advance word of advice: stay away from buying old boards unless you know exactly what you are buying and know that all parts are there. I get so many questions about how to set up old boards that usually end up being broken or missing parts and it is impossible to buy parts for these old boards.
Try not to buy a board that is more than 5 or 6 years old. As boards age they begin to absorb water. Once that occurs the board is toast and it happens with a lot of boards over 10 years old.
When you ask questions, please let me know what part of the world you are from so I can tailor the advice to your location.
Question I've just bought an old Tiga "speed" sailboard from our local 2nd hand store. I've always wanted to have a go at windsurfing. The universal joint is perished and the bottom part is missing. Can I still get replacement parts? On the board the track has the part that the universal connection fits into. I'll try to describe. It is circular with a hole down the centre, it has a button/switch at the rear that engages and retracts two metal/wires that obviously clamp around the missing connection. Hope you can help, and thanks for the site.
Answer You can buy a replacement universal but any parts made specifically for that board will be near impossible to replace. No one stocks parts for old boards. You may be able to jury rig something to hold the universal. You can get a new universal at http://www.the-house.com/ and if you call you can discuss your board and see if they can recommend something. Good luck and good wind.
