What to Buy

Question
QUESTION: Hello Windlover,
I have just started getting into windsurfing and i love it. I have taken lessons and i have rented a few boards and i think i'm ready to buy. I am 15 and i weigh 150lbs. What liter should i get? Also i was looking between a new core 293 or a used Hifly Mambo. The price difference for both packages is 1000. which one is a better investment?
Thanks, Brian

ANSWER: Hey Brian,

A few things to consider are; your location, predominant winds, your current abilities and how much time you will be able to spend on the water. If you will be getting a lot of time on the water, your abilities will advance fairly quickly. If this is the case, you will want a board that you can grow into instead of outgrowing the board. Also, if your normal winds are light to moderate, then a board with more volume and able to carry larger sails would be better than a high wind board using smaller sails.

The two boards you mention are basically the same. Both have daggerboards which is good for beginners, both are the newer wide style boards for good stability, both can carry a wide range of sails, and both would work well for advanced sailing in higher winds. The Mambo is 175ltr vs. the Core being 205ltr. The length of the Core is 293cm and the Mambo 275cm so not much difference in length. The Mambo will work a bit better in higher winds due to it's lower volume. Also, for your size the Mambo will float you fine. As for which is the better investment, probably the Mambo as long as everything is in good to great condition. Less money spent for virtually the same rig which allows you to invest in other gear like another sail, harness, etc.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks a lot,
My average wind is 10-15 mph and i live on the water. Are there any other specific boards you would suggest. Thanks, Brian

Answer
Hey Brian,

There are so many boards out there it is hard for me to recommend a specific brand or model, especially in the beginner/intermediate level as I don't have the opportunity to test ride these type boards. My recommendations are loosely based on product quality, history of the company, board reviews, and other users input.

This being said, if you are living on the water, this means you should be getting plenty of opportunity to sail, provided the wind cooperates. Next, not knowing what your current abilities are, it makes it a bit more difficult to recommend a specific type of board. Here are a couple of questions that will help you decide on which direction to go in your purchase. Are you able to rope start proficiently? Are you able to tack? Are you able to jibe at all? even slowly? Do you have access to a board without a daggerboard? Have you tried a board without a daggerboard? If so, were you able to rope start it and sail out and back successfully?

If you can rope start a board without a daggerboard and successfully sail out and back, then you may not need a board with a daggerboard. If you are able to sail without a daggerboard, then your abilities are such that you could easily sail a shorter board with a little lower volume than one with a daggerboard.

If you are NOT able to sail without a daggerboard at this time, then find the shortest and lowest volume board that still has a daggerboard (something along the lines of the Mambo or smaller).  The Bic Nova series comes in a 165ltr model that would be very similar to the Mambo. Starboard Go & Rio series also have daggerboards and are the wide style boards.

With your weight, age, and living on the water, a smaller board will suit you better as your abilities grow. So consider my questions and do a little research on the boards I mention. You can find links to many board makers at windsurfingmag.com under links. There is also some great instructional information under instruction. Be sure to read all the beginner/intermediate stuff.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover