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.
Expert: Patrick Dean Date: 8/6/2008 Subject: Equipment recommendation
Question Hi Patrick,
I could use some help picking out a board and sail. I live in Boise Idaho and don't have a local shop to buy, demo or rent from. There also aren't many used boards for sale around here, so I may have to order a new board online. I've windsurfed several times and took a couple of lessons at Hood River last summer. I'd like to go to Hood River for more lessons, but its a 6 hour drive. It's time I get a board and practice at my local lake. I'm comfortable sailing in light winds, but water starts will be my next skill to learn. I'm male 5'7" and 140lbs. What type of board and size do you recommend? What size sail? Thanks in advance for your help.
Answer You are same weight and height as I am. I love my 145 liter board and 6.5 meter sail. If you want to sail in lighter winds you might bump up to a 7 meter sail. Board type is not too important at that liter size so check around and ask the phone salesman questions about each board in that size.
