Hi

This is the start of my second summer windsurfing (in Perth). Last year I bought myself a big (160L) board and have learned how to get up to planing speed and at the end of last summer was in the footstraps and harness all the time, I'm a bit scratchy at moment (covered in catapult bruises) but am sure that in a week or so I'll be back to where I was and cant help but think life might be easier with a less massive board to lug around.

I dont want to spend the money to purchase anything new but have my eye on the second hand market.... at the moment there is a 105L Starboard Kombat for sale on this website, would anyone have any ideas as to whether this might be appropriate as a second board? Or is this over-reaching?

Any advice appreciated.

I think around 120 litre is a sensible drop. Probably really depends on how much time you get to sail, how fit you are etc. Biggest mistake I made was going too small to fast. Second hand is a good option too as you don't feel so bad when you crunch/bang up the front of your board. Been there also.

Can you waterstart yet? If yes, go for the Kombat. They are a good all round board with a bit of bump and jump capability.
If no, something a bit bigger (120L) would be easier for you to uphaul on.

A test ride is a great idea.
I always test ride before I buy.
It's pretty easy to quickly get an idea of what you like, and especially if you need more volume.
Look around for someone at the beach who has what you're thinking of and ask for a go. Alternately the seller of the Kombat may be happy to let you try it.

Thanks all

My commitment to regular crashes and just plain falling off has meant I've had to suss out water starting so yep, I can do that (well I can do it on my current boat).

If I saw something reasonable 2nd hand for sale in Perth around the 120L mark I'd be on it (assuming my wallet didn't wuss out).

I might try rent something smaller on the weekend and see how it goes, although I did this once last summer and put my head through the sail of the hire board ..... hopefully someone else buys the Kombat in the mean time so I dont do something stupid.

Thanks again

No better way to learn to waterstart than get a board which requires you to waterstart. You only weigh 76kg so you will be able to uphaul a 105 L board, 120L will just be easier.

I personally think you will be fine on 105L, especially if you plan on keeping the big board (atleast for a little while). It depends on how committed you are and how often you plan to sail.

Cheers Trousers!

I'm a bit like you (only i'm 85kg) and am at the stage where i'm thinking of my next board. I too have thought of the Kombat for sale but after getting some advice from this forum, have decided to go around the 110 - 115L. I am in the harness everytime and can water start regularly but the extra bouancy will make life a little easier me thinks. A season or 2 with that and practice on my gybes then i will think of going below the 100L range. Can't wait

if its in your budget there is a 110ltr jp funride listed in the classifieds that might be a good option.

Cheers,

Mark

Hey andjroo,

I reckon youll be fine on the 105, I progressed from a 131 carve to a 89L '08 kombat (Im 63kg). If you can waterstart (uphauling might even be possible on the 105) and rip along alright, it's not that big a jump, thats where I was at when I bought the kombat.

Some things I found different, as already mentioned it'll accelerate onto the plane and swing into corners quicker, loose speed a lot more rapidly and feel much looser/skittish than your big board, the hardest thing I found was how willing the nose of the kombat was to sink compared to the carve, once I learned to move straight back on the gusts it was all good.

I actually learnt to carve gybe on the smaller board too, because it reacted directly when I moved my foot over, and having to balance the rig in relation to where the board was made me carve the board all the way through too as opposed to the big board where I could put the rigs weight and my weight over the board, I couldnt get it to go past downwind.

I've finished my novel

The op says he/she can't waterstart so should get something that's uphaulable. Get something too sinky and you're looking for an accident at this stage.

Don't get a board to wave oriented, they're too draggy to get on the plane easily and will make you miserable. Get a freeride, or better a Freestyle-Wave or Free-Wave.

So I bought the Kombat (thanks Nick).... bring on the windy weekend

anjroo said...

So I bought the Kombat (thanks Nick).... bring on the windy weekend

You won't be looking back!

Windxtasy said...

A test ride is a great idea.
I always test ride before I buy.
It's pretty easy to quickly get an idea of what you like, and especially if you need more volume.
Look around for someone at the beach who has what you're thinking of and ask for a go. Alternately the seller of the Kombat may be happy to let you try it.

Agree

Do the same for women as well

anjroo said...

Cheers Zed... I'm many many hours of practice away from getting on the ocean, but at least now I have some gear that can get me out there when I'm ready. . I've got a 5.2Neil Pride Combat, a 6m somethingorother (a decent somethingorother), and a really old Neil Pride 4.5 which I never really use..... I also have a 3.5 that came with my big board...... anyone want a 3.5m sail?

Keep the 3.5 for those 30+ days :) The NP Combats are good solid sails, even the old ones, so you've got a decent setup there.