Should just ask him if you can take it for a spin? Give him a deposit or whatever. He should be cool with that?

I'd say it'd be pretty good for what your after! Perhaps a tad big and a bit suscepible to banging over chop. Maybe not because its an older thinner shape. If its super cheap you probably won't loose much money on it and your first board usually cops a flogging anyway.

Also it might be worthwhile having a go at some hire equipment and sussing out what you're after and what you like before dropping some big money on gear. Good luck!

PS! Check out the Tricktionary for some good tips on all those windsurfing goals!

I would say that it is usually fair light winds in my area, say around 12-15 knots. Would the Skate work ok for these conditions?

My Opinion for what its worth.

The skate is a freestyle board. Its main design brief would have been -quick early planing, good at sliding (spinning out) and widish for stabilty. It has a funny nose and nose deck pad for riding backwards and to do all those flicky spinny things.
The early planing and stability would be a good thing for you, but you would most likely need to upgrade to a bigger freeride fin.

Considering your weight, ability, and the lightish winds (that you stated) that are in your area, I think that you would be much better off looking for a freeride board in the 120-130l range - you'll be able to keep it as your light wind board as you progress. It would be an ideal platform for to learn all the skills you aiming for.

Its a big jump from 170L to 110L, It won't be easy at your level to uphaul on and it will probably stall your progress. Also consider with winter comming up you probably don't want to spend to much time in the drink.

I have one of these and it still gets a lot of use on the Lake. Mine is 100 lts though and sails I use are 5.2 & 5.8m. I use it for its intended purpose(freestyle) but still love blasting around on it. Where do you live somemathguy?

these early skates were very good allround boards, not nearly as dedicted to freestyle as the new freestlye machines. Definately dont let the fact that it is a freestyle board turn you off.

Buy it, i had one of these and regret selling it. I put a bigger freeride fin on it with 6,7 sail no problem.Gets going good as well. I even used mine in the ocean.