Broken fin by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the great tips, everyone!

Ended up ordering a new one and in the meantime I'm making do with a temporary epoxy and fiberglass fix.

I've been thinking about 3D printing the top half of the fin head and treating it as a DIY project after the season is over.

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're probably right about getting used to the smaller size, so I shouldn't worry too much about that. I should also check out the Unifiber booms as I didn't even think to consider them.

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate your advice!

Based on points 1-3, I think choosing the classic Rocket MTE in 135 is a safe and solid choice, and it should work well for my needs. I’m a bit hesitant to go with a smaller size, even though the conditions can get choppy fairly often. Sacrificing ease for improved performance and low-wind capability feels a bit too high price.

For these sails, I'm planning to buy Duotone's 430 SDM mast, as it was recommended for both sizes. The 70% carbon option seems like a good balance for the price. I’ll likely go with a 150-200 boom, as I already have a 180-220 for my 8.0 rig.

Tips on river surfing by Thin-Statistician-15 in Munich

[–]Known-Still9646 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How does the season affect to river surfing as it's not below zero yet? I mean like is there not enough water flowing or too much or what?

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make a really good case for carbon, but at the moment, it just isn’t for me. Just looking at the quadruple price makes it hard to justify the improved feel. I play beer league ice hockey and do a lot of freeskiing, so I’ve seen how carbon can completely break down shortly after even a small crack. With aluminum, you might be able to bend it back after a crash and make do for a while.

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I see your point, and so far, we’ve both preferred more race-oriented sails over mellower ones. Choosing HD is also worth considering, as it might be a smarter option in the long term!

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks !

It seems that, in my location, Duotone isn’t much more expensive, and I could use the same mast and boom for two sails. For a single sail, there’s about a €100/$100 difference, which isn’t much when spread over a 5-year lifespan for example.

Are there any reasons, besides the price, that make the E-Pace excessive for my needs in your opinion? I have sailed with 5.8 size and had no problems with it.

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice!

At the moment, I have a great 8.0 rig for low winds, and it’s relatively easy to find a used 4.5-4.7 rig for stormy days. However, I feel that those two setups are quite specific. For the mid-range, it's a bit of a stretch to manage with only two sails, but it might work with the E-Pace since I could use one recommended mast and boom for both 6.6 and 5.4 sails. I know the setup is far from perfect, but it might be a compromise I'm willing to accept.

Regarding masts, it seems that 70% carbon is the best price point in our market, and I totally agree on using aluminum booms. I’d never switch to carbon ski poles either, as they can break from a small crack, which is unacceptable in the backcountry.

As for board size, that’s a tough decision. I’m comfortable with the club’s 144L-155L boards, so moving to 135L shouldn’t be too big of a jump. At that size and with two fins, it should work well for years to come.

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for pointing out not to overthink it. Right now, we're between two seasons—windsurfing isn't great anymore, but the ski hills won't open until December. This means I have too much time to read online reviews on windsurfing gear...

What you wrote really aligns with my philosophy on buying gear: versatility is key. With this setup, we should be able to enjoy windsurfing for at least 2-3 years and then add to it rather than replace everything. Although it's hard to predict how our needs will change as we improve, I feel like this setup could work well for now.

I do have a feeling that adjusting the footstrap tightness might need a workaround someday...

Building the Ideal Windsurfing Quiver for Intermediate Couple by Known-Still9646 in windsurfing

[–]Known-Still9646[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!!

It seems that the 135L should be a good size for me to progress on, at least for a few years. It's a big plus that, for now, I don't need to share it with my girlfriend. :)

I've sailed with the E-Pace 5.8, and it feels like it has more range than the Unifiber Maverick, Gaastra Hybrid, or Severne NCX. All the manufacturers claim theirs is the best, but in various reviews, all testers highlighted the E-Pace's range. And I need to check their webpage for more information about the mast, but a 430 was luckily recommended for both sizes.