New gear for beginner (Go or Futura)

[agrelon]

I think the Futura 122 is a good choice. My first "short" board after moving on from beginner boards was a Bic Techno 130l. At first this seemed difficult to tack and demanded better foot placement (even at my 54kgs). However, after 1 year of sailing different boards (keeping the Bic in France for 2 months in Summer and spending the year in Hong Kong where I sailed about 1-2 times a week) I came back to find the Bic much too big and heavy for me, and my speeds plateaud at about 22knots on it.

Having learnt how to waterstart/use harness and footstraps in the one year between purchasing the Bic, I moved onto a 106l board and automatically had a lot more fun as I could go so much faster and start jumping. Now I'm trying to sell the Bic.

Moral of the story?

In windsurfing as you progress you will want to change your kit to smaller, faster and more performing (and this is expensive). Therefore, although you might struggle slightly at first on the F122, in time you won't come to beat yourself for not taking a smaller board which would allow you to go faster and jibe better. A 130l was too big for me, but with your additional 30kgs the 122 will allow you good performance all while remaining friendly enough to learn on.

Hope this reinforces your decision. Cheers.

[Luis2009]

I got a new 2009 Starboard GO Sport 122 and two sails Sailworks Retro (6.0 & 7.5) c/w a 75% Carbon Sailworks mast.
All I need is wind!

[Roger]

Hi Luis,
That sounds like an awesome combination!
Let us know how you are getting along when you get some time on the new board and rigs.
Roger

[Andrews]

I do not mean to hijack your thread but which board will be easier to progress on for a beginner; the Futura 122/133 or the new Carve 121/131? (or even the 06/07 Carve 122/133).

The extra width of the Futuras seems appealing because of added stability, however the Carve has an excellent reputation of being an easy and forgiving board to sail. Are the new Futuras too performance oriented for a progressive beginner?

[Roger]

Hi Andrews,
I have not sailed one yet, but I do not think the new 2010 Carves are really all that similar to the older 02-07 Carves.
The Futura is almost as forgiving as an older Carve (they were derived to replace the
Carve line) so progression (for an advancing beginner) would not be an issue.
True the Futura line is performance oriented, but not particularly tricky to sail.
Hope this helps,

[Luis2009]

Hi Roger,
I will let you know about my progress/struggle after I get some TOW.
Luis

[Denter]

Originally Posted by Andrews

I do not mean to hijack your thread but which board will be easier to progress on for a beginner; the Futura 122/133 or the new Carve 121/131? (or even the 06/07 Carve 122/133).

The extra width of the Futuras seems appealing because of added stability, however the Carve has an excellent reputation of being an easy and forgiving board to sail. Are the new Futuras too performance oriented for a progressive beginner?

Andrew

I was scared when I bought my Futura 133 2 month ago. let me tell you that this board is amazing I'm a beginner to intermediate and weight 185lbs. when I used it 1 month ago I did uphauling, an it was very stable and it planed with a 5.5 in 14mph winds it also did better upwind performance without planning than my long board with center fin. I definitely recommend the Futura and the 48cm fin is excellent.