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 Hello Patrick,
I have a Hi Fly Spirit 346 board. I am trying to improve my windsurfing skills. I use it on the Mississippi River in Illinois. I have a 5.7 sail and a 4.4 sail. I want to get a harness but don't know whether to get a seat harness or a waist harness. I have a 34 inch waist. What would you recommend and why? I know that the board that I have is old, but I haven't used it much and I believe that I can learn a lot and improve my windsurfing skills a lot with this board.
Thank you for your help,
Steve Bose
Answer It's a matter of personal preference. See if your local shop will let you demo both types. I personally prefer a seat harness. It gives me more leverage and feels more comfortable. I feel like I am sitting down when I am in the sweet spot...downwind running about 20knots in a stiff wind. It also supports my lower back well. I also prefer the hook down. I do not like the bars with a roller i/o hook as they keep popping off the harness lines. I use adjustable harness lines also. Upwind and light breeze the lines are long. High speed downwind I shorten the lines up. When you can, update your board. The newer boards are much easier to sail and progress on. You can look for used boards on ebay or windsurfingclassifieds.com. Go with a 130 to 150 liter board depending on your weight.
