Do I need another board?

Question
I have been sailing on and off for the past sixteen years, mostly off for many reasons.  I took lessons years ago and I have sailed various sized

boards.  Now I finally live about an hour away from a decent sized lake that gets windy in the spring, mostly gusty 5-20mph wind, and I want to get back into windsurfing.  I looked on Craigslist and found a good deal on equipment in the area that I live in (Phoenix, AZ) so I went ahead and bought some.  The package included an F2 Xantos 295 127L ca. 1997/8, a Mistral Slalom sail 6.5, powerex Carbon fiber mast and a Chinook Aluminum Boom.  I also found a 2005 Hot Sails Maui Power Play sail 7.0 cheap.  

Last winter when I was on vacation I rented a hifly widestyle with a 4.0 sail and sailed it very easily.  I was able to beach start, sail back and

forth in the desired directions, tack, jibe and duck jibe.  In the spring I took the F2 out to the lake a few times and it was not as easy.  I did

manage to tack it, jibe it, water start it a couple of times (uphauled mostly though), but I had a very hard time controlling the direction of my sailing even though I was looking in the direction of my destination and made adjustments to sail upwind and so on.  Hooking into the harness lines was impossible and getting into the foot straps never quite worked.  However, I will admit that when things worked out (for a few seconds) hanging on the boom and sailing fast was amazing!  And it is for those few seconds of things working out that I have not given up on windsurfing.

The F2 Xantos is a beautiful board, but is it too advanced for my level?  I want to use my harness, my arms hurt, and I would like to get into the

foot straps.  In general I would like to spend more time on my board than in the water.  Do I need to get another board which would help me hone

my skills?  If yes what sort of specs should I be looking for? Length? Volume? Daggerboard? No Daggerboard?  I am 5'8" and 160lbs. Maybe something

more user friendly that will last a while as my skills improve.  

Finally, the Mistral sail tore in several places and is out of commission.  Will my 7.0 Sail work on the board that you recommend?  Also I have

noticed that when I handle the mast eg. putting the two piece mast together, it feels as if tiny little cactus thorns are cutting up my hands.  Is

that something I should be concerned about?  For now I just use a rag to hold it.  

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

John

Answer
Hi John,
Your used board may have absorbed water and become heavier.  This may be why it seems harder to sail, or you may have the wrong size fin on it as well. If you have a windsurfing shop in your area, pay them a visit and ask them what fin would work best for the size board and sail you usually use knowing what conditions you sail in.  If no local shop is near you call The House and they can recommend the best type of find for your board.  Your board should not weigh more than 17 to 20 lbs. with no fin or foot straps.  If it much more than that it is time for new or newer used board. At your weight I would say 125 to 145 liters is a good size for you.  I only recommend by liters since most boards are built proportional to volume these days.  Your 7.0 sail will work fine with this size board.  Be careful with your mast.  It sounds like the resin that binds the carbon fiber is disintegrating.  It could be the beginning of the end for the mast.