windsurfer for big bloke beginner!

Question
Hi - I've read most of your helpful replies to people but am still confused. I spent a bit of time in my distant youth windsurfing but that was nearly 20 years ago now andmost although I have hopped on a board now and then since when on holiday I class myself as a definite beginner. Well the kids are now growing up and it's time for some "me time" again so I thought I'd get back into windsurfing. I am lucky enough to live in Scotland where we have hundreds of freshwater and seawater lochs within 20 mins drive frm the house. I am 6' 3" and a fit 200lbs. I figure on buying a second hand board to start with as they can be picked up fairly cheap, then progressing on to a better rig fairly quickly if I get on OK. How do I calculate the right board size for my frame - at the start I only intend sailing in pretty sheltered freshwater and sea lochs...?

Answer
Hey Bob,

Welcome back to windsurfing. With the newer rigs being much wider without the length, they have good volume and float heavier sailors quite nicely. I would suggest you look for something around 150-180 ltr if you are looking for something 5yrs old or newer. A board this size would work well in light winds on the waterways you speak of. It would also do good on the higher wind days. You would be able to rope start and also learn waterstarts on a rig this size. As you progress and start thinking of a newer rig, you would probably be able to go down to something in the 100-120ltr range. Some of that would depend upon the average wind speeds and the type of sailing you will be doing the most of. The great part about having two rigs is that it gives you more time on the water regardless of wind speed.

Hope this will help.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover