Need guidance to upgrade!
 

I currently have a very old longboard and beat up sail so I am looking to upgrade! I need a new board and sail that can help me improve, that will also work well on a relatively calm lake. When looking, I found the following: Starboard 110 liters, Mast, Boom, Sail (6.5 and 5.3) and Extension for $550. I weigh 150 pound. Is this setup to big of a jump from my beginner board? Does it need a lot of wind to get going?? Thanks!

As a fellow longboarder ... and on a smaller lake ...

Why do we use longboards ?
1) flotation in very light winds AND windshadows ie much more than 110 liters
2) able to head upwind and get back home with centerboard ie not a shortboard
3) able to go in light winds without schlogging about...
4) best suited for a smaller lake with lighter winds and windshadows
5) and thus the most fun on a lake

the issue these days is - what is a decent replacement
i have asked this question here already, butt in terms of a heavyweight
perhaps for a lighter person like yourself, you may have more SB options

Roger is the man and i hope he chimes in

http://joewindsurfer.com

Hi Jess,
Define "relatively calm"?
Do you plane on your long board?
What size rig are you using (your beat up sail)?
At 150 lbs, you could go with something like a Rio M and have the best possible compromise
between a long board, and a short board.
With the retractable centerboard down, you have a longboard (well, not so long as what you have
now, but certainly not a "shortboard".
Retract the centerboard and you have a large shortboard that can test your shortboard skills, and which
actually planes fairly early.
Depending on your "relatively calm" lake's windspeeds, you will most likely want a larger rig with a >75%carbon content mast.
For the Rio M in around 10-12 knots, I would suggest at least an 8.5 m2 rig.
Hope this helps,
Roger

Thank you very much for your help both of you!

The important point is that shortboards are not fun at all when underpowered. They schlogg through water with the finesse of a barge.

Longer boards with a centerboards are the way to go for highly variable conditions. Compared to my old longboard, modern ones plane well too. Rio M is probably your best bet in the *board line-up. The Fanatic Viper and RRD Longrider are probably good too. If you have more money, the *board Phantom 320 would be great. I personally chose a Kona One, and I'm very happy with my purchase.