Hi,

Has anyone tried a beginners board such as the fanatic Viper or Bic Nova with a big sail and fin as a light wind planing board?

I need something to get me on the water more often next year and my girlfriend is a cautious learner just done her level one, so hoping to get one board to suit us both. I am wondering what the performance losses are of the extra weight of a learner board as an early planer; and whether I will just have to keep saving and buy two boards (in which case anyone tried the AHD attitude inspiro?)

Given that nearly all manufacturers claim their beginners boards double as a big sail carrier they never make them avaliable with a rig package over about 6.5m.

Before anyone suggests I have decided against the kite dangling route!!!

I think the key here is to check whether or not the board has a set of strap inserts further outboard (is that the right word ?) If it has then I would think that they would be able to double up (buying a big fin too!). My young son has a beginners board lined up for a future birthday present (although he doen't know it yet) and I may buy a 7.0m sail for the first time in my life around the same time!!!!



Go for it and tell us how you get on !



Ern.