Awee Geeze...

Actually, the overwhelming majority of windsurfers sail in winds between 10 and 25mph, not the nukin' 40+ that many people think. Also, modern windsurfing gear can fully plane in 10-12knots of wind and specialized "Formula" race gear in 8 or less. In these windspeeds, windsurfers can sail in excess of 2 times the actual windspeed.

Sailing a cat in 35kts without doing anything special? On your side maybe. Statements like that bring back thoughts of the Hobie Tiger worlds a few years back in Santa Barbra. How much racing was done on those windy days and how many boats left the beach? Granted, high performance windsurfing does require more equipment as well as the ability to select the right equipment than simply rigging a cat, but modern gear has a lot more range than the old stuff and goes together more easily. I could have two, probably three rigs put together in the time it takes to get a cat together and in the water.

Regarding jumping...well if you've never done it, you will never know...ha ha, more waves for me! The thing about windsurfing is that there is always something else to learn. On a cat, once you learn how to tack, gybe, trapeze, and go reasonably fast, you've basically done it. Windsurfing is basically unbounded (I suggest doing a search on Youtube, there is some amazing sh!t out there).

Not knockin' cats, I've sailed them my whole life and still enjoy racing them. Just don't bust on windsurfing if you haven't tried it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

sm

I have looked at some of that stuff on youtube. It is crazy, I value my body to much for that. Cats can be tough in that much wind, the problem you run into is most guys sail the most expensive thing out there. Take an old Hobie 16 and blast around in 35mph winds. That is a blast and if something breaks you can replace it cheap!

I didn't mean to knock windsurfing there are some crazy skills involved, but there are in cat sailing also. I think you over generalized it saying that once you learn you are done.All around I would rather be on a cat but windsurfing looks like it could be one of those fun things to try. A friend of mine owns two windsurfing rigs and he wants me to try it next summer, I am going to so we will see.

gree,

your boat doesnt want you to try windsurfing. it is like crack i tell you. i started with my hobie and sailed most of the time single handed. rigging just takes so long on the boat. i can be on the water in 10min with my windsurf stuff which makes it justifiable to hit the lake after work.

when the wind is 10-15mph then its just cruising on the windsurfer....even with a 10m sail but it is still fun. when the wind hits 18+, and you get on plane, its a different ball game. the real addicting quality of a windsurfer is the feel/response that you get on a board. im glad i didnt start windsurfing as a kid because i would of never gotten a job.

i just like anything with sails. the windsurfer just gives me more time on the water.


windsurfers dont point as well as the boats but they can generate some serious speed. windsurfing does have a longer learning curve, but man it was worth it.

Speed isn't what I am really looking for. I like being about to rest on what I am sailing and being able to take a girl out. I will try windsurfing but in the conditions around here I can be on the water alot more with a boat. 12 mph wind is fun and will lift a hull!!

that why you should have both--more toys = more fun