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: 8/4/2008 Subject: board choice
Question Hi Patrick, I'm 186-190 lbs, 6 ft, about 1 year of experience, getting used to harness, mostly used rental boards in the 150-170 L range. Had a one-time experience w/ a 133L board planing on it in flat water conditions, but could not handle it well on tacks and gybes, too tippy.
Now I'm looking to buy my own board and have a dilemma, 130 L or 145 L. The 145L will feel comfortable, esp in my current conditions that are mostly choppy. The 130L is really challenging so I'll learn smth, and I guess will be more fun w/ bigger winds (but they happen here only about twice a month).
From your experience, will I feel a big difference btw 130L and 145L in 15-20 winds while planing? I.e. is it worth struggling w/ the 130L in chop or go w/ the allrounder 145L?
Many thanks! Max
Answer Go with the 145L. You will have a lot more fun with it. Once you become more proficient you will probably want an additional smaller board for high wind. The 145 will be your light wind board and you will always get a lot of use out of it. I weigh 145lbs and my light wind board is 140L and I love it. When wind picks up I use my 120L and for really strong wind I go down to my 85L board.
