So I've had a sunfish class sailboat for the past 7 years. I love the li'l bugger but I'm just looking into something more involved, exciting, and more of a rush. Whenever I take it out to the lake there are always a bunch of windsurfers flying past me looking like they are having a blast. If you were to compare them to cars, the sunfish would be like a Civic SI (still very fun) and windsurfing like a S2000. I've also been snowboarding for 8 years and would like something fun to do in the off season. I'm 6'2", 160 lbs. and have been athletic my whole life. Windsurfing sounds like it would be my kind of sport.

Anywho, I'm just wondering which companies are some of the better companies to buy equipment from (board, rig, etc.), and what kind of setup to start with. Tips, tricks helpful too!

Thanks, fellas!

 

check out this link and read the school forum, lots of posts and good info from Roger

Starboard - Sailworks - are a couple of the best mfgrs of equipment. Usu. one board and one sail will be 70 - 90 % of your sailing - do not overestimate the wind you will be sailing in - depending on where you live. At 200 # , midwest, I sail a 90cm wide, 165 liter board w/ a 9.0 meter sail 70 - 80% of the time. Thus spend 80% of your money in that size you use most. For your weight I'd recommend a 7.5 sail, good hi carbon framework (mast - boom) and a 75- 80 cm wide board 130 L. that you could learn on and continue to use - if you lived in the midwest.

reputable dealer that ships and will give you advice over the phone:
http://www.isthmussailboards.com/


http://star-board.com/forum/viewforum.php?forum_id=7

Addicting sport and good equip is not cheap, but last a long time, my 9.0 sail is a 2000 vintage and still in good shape.
Regards

 

I always go sailing right before/sometimes during storms. Probably not the smartest thing, but I usually get out right before the storm hits.

Thanks!

 

You might want to look into kiteboarding. Similar, but if you have not seen it before you ride on a little sowboard/wakeboard stlye thing and have a large inflatable kite hooked to a harness around your torso.

It pulls you around the lake and you can hit wvaes and get high into the air. The nice thing about learning to kiteboard is that you can do it in winter on frozen lakes too. Make some snow jumps and have the kite/sail pull you around the lake and over the jumps.

I have not tried it but if you have seen video it looks awsome. I am thinking about taking it up myself.


If you are ever on Maui, go to Ho-okipa beach. Some of the best sailboarders in the world and it makes for great entertainment. Guys getting 15 feet of air and doing double flips off a good wave. Great viewing, really amazing stuff.

 

kiteboarding video at Hookipa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKOkaydpU0w


windsurfing Hookipa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLsgNAvv8b8