Does Size Matter?
Volume is the most important consideration if you are looking to buy a windsurf board whether it is second hand or a brand new model.
The more volume (litres) in a board the more floaty it will be, and as a rule 1litre in volume will support 1kg in weight.
When you are learning and progressing through the early stages of your windsurfing you will want a board that supports your weight and gives you enough extra bouyancy.
The RYA recommended calculation for working out the volume you need is:
(your weight in kg X 2) + 30kg for the weight of rig, board and clothing = volume in litres
So a sailor of 60kg would need a board with a volume of around 150 litres.
Left to right: Starboard Gemini 367 litres. Hifly 220 litres. Quatro Freeride 150litres. Mistral Screamer 120litres.
The board you learn on is likely to have more volume than this, however you should be comfortable on a board of this size after a few lessons or sessions on the water, and it should be carry you right through to when you are a solid intermediate level. If you use a board which is too big you are likely to find it unresponsive and hard to manouvre, too small and it will be tippy and may sink a little!
There are many different options for getting on a board, you can buy new or second hand through any number of windsurfing shops or online, or if you do not want to shell out or commit to buying straight away many clubs and centres offer windsurf hire or a membership which includes this. Hiring means you can try a range of equipment while progressing so that when you do purchase equipment you can be sure you have made the right decision.
Once you progress more and are using the harness, turning more confidently and starting to plane you should be looking to move onto a smaller board. Some people chose to buy a board as soon as they have got to grips with the basics of windsurfing, some chose to wait a little longer so they can buy a smaller board that will remain part of their kit for longer.
A sailor of 60kg who has become confident sailing their 150l board should ideally look to try new boards step by step, going from 150l straight down to a 100l board would be quite a big jump and you would definitely notice the difference. However if you can use a board around 130l, then 110l it will be much more manageable.
Left to right: Goya One 98litres. JP FSW 93litres. Fanatic Quad 79litres. Tabou Manta 49litres.
The best way to try new boards is at a centre in the UK or across the world. A holiday incorporating windsurfing should give you lots of time on the water to progress quicker than you thought possible, and the opportunity to use a wide range of boards. Instructors at the centres or staff in the shops will be able to assess what sort of size board would suit you, depending on your level, your weight, and where you sail.
Our 60kg sailor should be comfortable on a board around 100l if they are sailing flat water, in moderate winds and are planing. When it gets windier and/or wavier however they may start to find the board has too much volume and starts to lift up and become uncontrolable.
Using an 80l board in the same windier and/or wavier conditions our sailor should find that the board will sit better on the water and feel alot easier to sail. However 80l is obviously less volume than weight, which means the board will be a little sinky when not planing, as you become more skilled you will be able to sail a board of this size but at first it will be a little trickier.
When the conditions are very windy, and/or if you are sailing in waves, and are at an advanced level with your windsurfing you will want to be on as smaller board as possible. Some brands make boards down to around 60litres and this would be the ideal size for our 60kg sailor in the most extreme conditions!
