kids windsurfing rigs

[firstonlastoff]

Hi all, I have an older Starboard Go that I want to put a rig for kids on. I have two boys, aged 8.5 and 6. My older boy is showing signs of wanting to learn sailing. My question is, to all parents and windsurfing instructors, would you share your wisdom regarding the purchase of a triangular kids sail (like the Mistral windglider rig), a higher end kids windsurfing rig (like a Hot Sails Maui Microfreak or a Sailworks Ripper2), or rig an adult 2.8 sail on my 400cm mast and Chinook-Gorge boom?

Thanks in advance,javascript:emoticon(':lol:') george agnes

[Gareth]

Your kids are about the same age as mine. they need a really light rig and boom. Forr that age, go for a kid specific rig. Once they get the hang of it, then move to a sturdier rig. Kid sail sizez generally range from 1.5-2.7 m, small.

[windsurf247]

I agree with Penguin. Buy a rig that is specifically designed for kids. They are much lighter and balanced for smaller, lighter riders. DON"T use a small adult rig. Even a adult's 2.5 will be way different than a kid-specific 2.5.

THere will always be parents looking for a rig for their kids so resale should be easy. Spend the $$ and buy something nice. You should have no problem reselling it in a few years when you're kids have outgrown it.

You only get one chance to hook them on the sport. The last thing you want to do is turn them off with an akward heavy rig.

I think Excel sells a HiFly 2.0 kids rigs for $296. This would probably be a good size to start with.

Good luck.
Rob

[jjjim]

HIFLY Kids Rigs, teach the kids to sail the easy & fun way with a light weight Hifly Junior Rig, 2 piece aluminum mast, monofilm sail & reduced diameter grip for small hands, 2.0m to 3.5m $340. Tel: 604-327-7800

I saw this on the buy/sell site. Useful? Good luck.

[tweezer]

I built a ~2.0 by cutting down an old 5.0. Used a broken narrow grip chinook boom and shortened the other arm to match. For the mast I used the top half of my carbon 370. We're not talking very pretty from a shape and balance point of view, but my boys 8 and 6 are sailing in < 10 knots. You don't need high tech and the price was $0 using stuff we had around already.

[windsurf247]

JUst because it works, doesn't mean it's ideal. Building your own rig is a cheap way to go and you can achieve some decent results if you know what you're doing. However, I've seen some pretty hideous "homemade" sails that would make learning much tougher than it needs to be and possibly turn your kids right off the sport altogether.

Tweezer has the right idea. The mast needs to be super light and VERY short - as in under 6'. The boomlength also needs to be very short and the boom diameter very narrow to accomodate small hands. A true kids boom is much smaller and lighter than a regular wave boom. The sail doesn't need to be high tech or bombproof, only small and light.

Remember, they're not going to be ripping across the water on this stuff, they're just going to be learning. The whole rig should be light enough for you to lift with one finger. If your kids have to struggle with uphauling, they not going to have much fun. Make it as easy as you can.

One more point. In terms of teaching your kids to windsurf......make sure you can tell the difference between THEM wanting to windsurf and YOU wanting them to windsurf. Every parent wants their kid to be a shredder but if you push them into it, you'll likely turn them off. Make learning fun for them and don't push them too much. Windsurfing is as addictive for kids as it is for adults so just let them have fun and the addiction will follow.

[corinne]

we just bought an entire kid's package from exel in victoria and the kids, age 8 and 6.5 LOVE it. If you windsurf and you want your kids to share your passion, spring for gear specifically designed for them. The 2.0 hifly that comes with the board is perfect for this age group and yes i can lift it with one finger.

[KUS]

I picked up a newer kiddie rig and once again (I had this experience a couple of years ago) I am surprised how little the gear allows even an experienced person to stay upwind......I was watching my daughter closely, she certainly enjoys the lower weight of the rig, she's confidently sailing back and forth and she tried everything to stay upwind, doing everything right to no avail. No wonder peoplelose interest, doing the walk of shame is the key thing to avoid to keep stoked. Centerboard is a must and some form of sail shape that allows upwind ability....I have found the kiddie rigs don't provide enough shape to do this and I am switching my daughter's sail at least back to an adult sail 3.5 to try some more that way.

[KC7777]

My boys are 6 and 8. I just bought a Starboard Starsurfer 140L. Has a 30 cm short rear fin and a 30 cm centre fin for staying upwind. Also a place to tie a rope on the bottom of the board between the fins. So they can tack wihout a rope tied to the front or back. Easier for them to turn it without the rope in the way. I bought the 140 L Starsurfer (instead of the 100L) so this board will also be big enough for my wife to learn on. You can take out the centre fin as it comes with a 45 cm rear fin as well. Starboard also has a 150L Start but they are heavier. Going to put the 8.5 on it and see if it rips.

I also bought a 8' sit on top kayak to paddle beside them so they feel safe.

For sails I went high end for the reasons Kus mentions. A 1.7 and 2.5 Sailworks Ripper. Has loose leech and shape just like an adult sail but super light. Comes with a 310 mast and kid's boom and base.

Here is the math....excluding the kayak.

Cost of board was $700 US at BigWinds (no tax in Oregon) = $875 CDN all in. Gotta be a resale value of $500 CDN in 3-4 years.

2 Sailworks Ripper rigs came to $700 US as well. Again should be a resale on these of approx $200 - $250 each.

$875 + $875 = $1,750 - $900 resale in 4 years = $850 cash outflow / 4 yrs = approx. $210/year. Plus interest cost of $10/year @ 5% = $220 per year. Use it 20 times per year = $11/day after tax ($9.64/day before taxes).

This does not factor in the potential benefit to me if I turn them (or my wife) into little rippers...

[KUS]

after watching the guy in the alu skiff with his outboard taking his kid uplake at the Nat I thought that was ridiculous.....after kayaking beside my daughter and pulling her back up wind a few hundred times I figure there's gotta be a better way without the alu extreme and spewing exhaust....I too am looking at the starsurfer. Maybe in 3-4 years there will be a deal on a used one.

[Bobson]

Does this take into account Inflation for the 2-3 year......HA!!!

Dood, I think your brain actually works this way.....I'm thinking Star-surfer and kids rig.....Pay money, they have fun....NICE!!!

YOU = Smart Dood
ME = Not sooooo much.....HA!!

Dood, I'm not dissing you at all....it's just funny how you think!!

Can't wait till your kids teaching my kid how to windsurf....you should factor that into the equation.....HA AGAIN!!

[firstonlastoff]

Hi all, I started this link and based on the information exchanged, I purchased a new kids rig. I opted to purchase the rig being marketed by HiFly (the rig I purchased is a 2.5 m2 monofilm sail having two batens (and the sail itself was manufactured by North sails), an aluminum mast and boom). There are two sources where this rig can be purchased, one local and one distal. Send me your email if you want details. I hope to be able to get my older boy onto it next week and then I can provide some feedback to all. I opted for this setup as I felt the Hot Sails Maui or Sailworks rigs were directed toward younger sails who have already learned sail basics, which also means I may be purchasing one of those rigs next summer, maybe from Keith (KC7777)?

[tempy]

A kind fellow sailor gave me his Mistral Windglider (the inflatable one). It is great - floaty and stable enough for parent and 2 kids to be on at the same time - and remarkably nimble upwind. My 2 kids are not gung ho, but get on it for a little while every time I pump it up. When I am at the Nat, other parents are welcome to try it out.

[windsurf247]

Just spotted this ad in the Buy and Sell (Vancouver). Pretty sweet deal on some HOT sails!

KIDS FIRST HOT SAILS windsurfing rig. 2001 KID SLIDE 1.6, 2002 MICROSLIDE 2.1 and 2.7. Two booms, mast & extension. All in great shape. $250. obo. Surrey. Tel: 604-951-9316
Tel: 604&#8209;951&#8209;9316

[KC7777]

Holy crap. That is a good deal. If I had not just bought the 2005 Sailworks Rippers 1.7 and 2.5 rigs I would have bought these. The HotSails are high end rigs for kids.