hey 4x
i know what what xxx is and a buddy explained 5x = yuck
so, what is 4x then ?? {scared to ask}

using james' windcalculator - for your weight
a 129 liter sailboard will be fine
a 5.8 will be ideal in 17 knots/20 mph/ 32 kph winds
i call those mid winds cuz i go out in light winds with longboards

so, it all depends on where you go and you already have some experience
i always hear the GO 155 is good starter and then more for heavyweights
you seem to be neither
so, since i hear only good things about the Futura 133 and based on some discussion above, i would deduce the Futura sounds like the right choice for you
{based on available info here}
hope others with more SB experience and in your weight range chime in
for me any TOW = good times
a bad day on the water is still better than a good day at work

If you can get the Go for a eeasonable price you should consider getting it for the following reasons.

Firstly it will be more stable and easier for you to sail. The Go should help get past the hump where you are falling off more than you are windsurfing.
Secondly once you have improved and can for example complete most of your gybes without falling off and water starting.
Thirdly the Go could be your lighter wind board once you are looking for a smaller board for stronger winds.
Fourthly if you want to sell the Go, they are a popular board so there should not be too much trouble selling it.

Thank you all,

Joe Windsurf: Firstly as I am going thro' mid life crisis, figure that I need an easy nick name to remember before dementia sets in; lol.

Windxtasy: is you weight 58Kg or 68Kg? (68Kg Futura 111L)!

Mobydisc: thanks for your input.

Shear tip: I think what you are trying to say is that I can probably look for a GO board that will be a good compromise for my experience and weight AND NOT drink and windsurf at the same time

Will think on all your inputs.
Many Many thanks for all your speedy replies.

Cheers all,

4xxxx

I'm 97kg and can up haul a 133 futura. It's a rocking little board.

shear tip said...

4xxxx:
Joe Windsurf:
XXXX is a Queensland beer...

phew - no more YUCK on the 4x/xxxx

I reckon the Futura. I was the same as you except had only sailed an original windsurfer, no experience with footstraps or harness. I bought a 130 litre Xcite Ride as my first board and learnt to ride it no worries and Im 90kg.

You will be wobbly and spend some time in the water but as you progress the Futura will still be the go to board as you be looking to offload the Go. NEw boards are heaps easier to ride given the width.

When you do get competent again the Futura will be a great light wind board for you SO DONT SELL IT (like I did - idiot)

Get out there!!!!!!

I agree with the Futura. You will outgrow the Go in about 30mins.

Reasons I say that:

- you were doing VERY difficult sailing on an Astro Rock if you were uphauling. Newer gear is so much more stable and you will nail it on the Futura which is more then big enough for the first wobbly session but very useable for 20knot planing, which the Go is not so good at.
Why get a pure beginner board if not a pure beginner?

- I had 5yrs off and agonised over whether to get same gear as before or a bit bigger. I bit the bullet and bought a tiny waveboard and in my first session I stuffed two gybes then nailed the next few.
My sailing was pretty much the same after 2 -3 good sessions. Fair enough not 20yrs.... but it is like riding a bike I reckon, as others have reported similar experiences

Perhaps the deciding factor is the prevailing wind and water conditions that are expected to be windsurfed in. If the water is usually rough along with stronger winds then the smaller board will be better. Also as we get older we need gear that is a bit easier to ride which modern boards deliver in spades. I remember the first time I rode my Tabou Rocket at Narrabeen Lake. I could not believe how easy the thing was to sail.

Whatever board you get 4xxxx, after a short period of time you'll be right into it and enjoying it

Anyway its good to hear that another windsurfer is getting back into the sport. Its really encouraging to hear about people taking up windsurfing after a long break. I did it myself. Also recently I sold a sail to a bloke who is getting back into it. We shared some stories. He told me about speed trials at Kurnell back in the 80s before the groynes were built. He said he clocked around 28 knots over 500 meters. Still a very respectable speed that I could not match.

Hey 4xxxx,

I've also made a come back in the last year after a 12 year break. I picked up a 2006 Go155 and a 2009 Naish 7.8 Redline to get me started again, I'm 90kgs. I do most of my sailing on a lake in flat to choppy conditions and found the Go pretty good to get me going again. First couple of sessions where a bit sketchy and i was punished on a couple of heavier days but i soon got comfortable again.

The kit has kind of snowballed since then to include a few more sails etc. and I actually picked up a 2010 101 Futura for the stronger days which I'm really happy with. I still use the Go in 15-25 kts and find it nice for just cruising but i am getting a little bored with it now. I'm already starting to thinks about something more high performance that will only just float me, maybe around 120lts. In saying that I'm glad i went with the Go as I think it made the first couple of months a lot easier then they would have been if I'd gone with a smaller more high performance board.