The Best Windsurfing Mast Base
Once you have learned the basics of windsurfing you are ready to find the best all round windsurf board. There should be many factors taken into consideration before you buy. The first important factor should be your bodyweight. Windsurf boards for adults are typically manufactured for an average which is in the 155 to 185 lb. (70-83 kg.) range. Any person out of this weight range will generally get poor performance out of this equipment without making adjustments in board width and volume to best serve individual needs.
To find the best windsurf board based on your bodyweight, here is a simplified example to determine your options. A 65cm in length windsurf board with 120 liters of volume is the ideal size board for someone weighing in at 77 kg. You should add or minus l liter of volume for every kilo of your body weight that differs from the 77 kg. average to determine the windsurf board volume that is best suited for you. An example would be, if you weight 87 kg you should look for a windsurf board that is 65cm in length with 130 liters of volume for best performance. If your weight is below the average parameters, you should look at windsurf boards in the 63-to-64 cm length range with 112-to-116 liters of volume to best suit your needs.
Windsurf Boards for Novice Windsurfers
Another tip is to determine how aggressive you are in learning the sport. If you want to get out on the water often to advance your skills as quickly as possible, you should thoroughly assess the equipment available that will provide you with the best performance and longest enjoyable use over time. Many manufacturers of very wide beginner boards and kits state that their boards are great for other uses after you progress your skills to more advanced levels. Keep in mind that these beginner boards are typically much heavier and thus lack high-performance expectations in low-wind conditions.
If your windsurfing goals are to take your time and just spend relaxing days out on the water learning to master and have fun with the basic techniques, then many of the beginner kits classify as the best windsurfing board packages for you. But if you want to learn all you can about the sport quickly, you should get a somewhat narrower and more light-weight board. Purchasing a good windsurf board based on allowable maximum width and volume for your weight. This board will require more diligent practice to master but as you advance your skills, you will have a good high-performance board on hand later for low-wind conditions.
Windsurfing Universal Joints to Consider
This windsurfing component is important when considering a windsurfing board, The u-joint is a component that is mounted on the board which allows you to move the mast to steer. These components are now commonly called mast bases. There are three mast base windsurfing categories. They are tendon, rubber, and mechanical. Generally mast bases, which mount directly to the board or on top of a plate have a variety of different connection options available. A tendon windsurfing mast base is available with different connectors, such as, the U.S. base and the Euro pin base.
The tendon windsurfing mast base is best suited for surf conditions experienced by more advanced windsurfers because of the rigidity and strength of this component.
A rubber mast base is much preferred by intermediate windsurfers when water-start frequency is a factor. The tendon mast base is stiff and has a tendency to cause the board to flip over.
A mechanical mast base is best suited for a beginner. When up-hauling the mast frequently the mechanical mast base is much easier to use. Mast bases can be purchased separately when it is time to refit or change the use of your board.
Get out there and try out as many boards as you can. Talk to more experienced windsurfers for advice.
Resources:
http://www.bigwinds.com/wind/category/5/product/725
http://www.nautix.comhttp://www.2radwindsurfblog.com/category/windsurfing/gear-advice/http://www.oceanairsports.com http://www.chinooksailing.com/products/index.php?cPath=2_31_32
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