I'm fairly new at windsurfing and am just starting to plain in short bursts.My question is how much better to ride are the modern boards compared to those made in the early 2000's.

ikw777 said...
That's a matter of taste, though, in general modern boards being wider, plane sooner, have a wider wind range, are a bit easier to sail and more forgiving. Contrary to this though is that some older boards from around 2000 just have a better feel in the water.

I would say older boards have a bigger wind range a narrower longer board can be sailed from 10-40 knots just need a smaller sail a wider shorter board will quickly be overpowered as the chop picks up as the wind increases.

I am not sure if it always works this way, but if you start learning on modern board your learning curve could be much shorter - means that you need to learn to ride modern board anyway.
Like you need to learn water start and gybing.
The older board could be easier to start with but I don't think that eventually save any time to reach this confidence level.
I did start with oldest crappy boards to progress to modern over years and I think from perspective that all this time was wasted.
If I did start on modern board I will do everything much quicker.
Save your time and learn on as modern 130L board as you could afford, IMO

Thanx heaps for the replies.Sounds like the shape of my board is ok then@ 270 long 87 wide and 150l.... Might concentrate on getting some more modern sails then

FormulaNova said...
Yeah, that size sounds good for learning on. The width and volume seem fine, and the length is typical for that size board.

Just out of interest, what is it?

Hi mate,its a 2003 exocet cruiser.