What do members use to transport their board?

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Mobel
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Joined: 04/16/2023 - 11:50
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What do members use to transport their board?

Hello, new member here. Just signed up. I am getting back into windsurfing after a long (very long) hiatus.

I was wondering what members use to transport their boards and rigs? I own a fullsize truck and have been looking into racks and accessories for boards, masts, etc. I have found some possible solutions for board and mast, but none for the sail (which doesn't fit in my truck's bed).

I am tempted to give up on the rack idea and just buy a cargo trailer.

What say you? Any and all feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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moredownhaul
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Joined: 05/10/2007 - 07:28
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Re: What do members use to transport their board?

I found the easiest way with a pickup was to put the sails and mast in a sail bag strapped in the bed with the tailgate down.
it worked great and was easy to load and unload.

Alan

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Mobel
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Joined: 04/16/2023 - 11:50
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Re: What do members use to transport their board?
moredownhaul wrote:

I found the easiest way with a pickup was to put the sails and mast in a sail bag strapped in the bed with the tailgate down. it worked great and was easy to load and unload.

Thanks for the input. I plan to travel with this setup, and with the tailgate down there's no way to secure my windsurfing gear and luggage.

Noticed this box from Yakima yesterday. It's meant for fishing rods, but should be big enough to hold my sail? Of course, it's at Yakima prices as well Blum 3

Yakima Topwater

The only thing keeping me from going the trailer route is the difficulty parking it at surfing spots.

The quest continues...

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moredownhaul
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Joined: 05/10/2007 - 07:28
Posts: 1610
Re: What do members use to transport their board?

You might be able to squeeze 2 sails up to a 7.5m in that Yakima.
You might also consider one of these.
https://isthmussailboards.com/ion-windsurf-tec-quiverbag.html

It’ll hold more, cheaper and You can strap it on a roof rack without crushing your sails.
I use a similar one now on my roof rack now.

Also I’ve seen used bed ladder racks out there for $100 that you could carry a dingy on.

Alan

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13785
Re: What do members use to transport their board?
Mobel wrote:

Hello, new member here. Just signed up. I am getting back into windsurfing after a long (very long) hiatus.

I was wondering what members use to transport their boards and rigs? I own a fullsize truck and have been looking into racks and accessories for boards, masts, etc. I have found some possible solutions for board and mast, but none for the sail (which doesn't fit in my truck's bed).

I am tempted to give up on the rack idea and just buy a cargo trailer.

What say you? Any and all feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mobel, welcome! How long have you "been out of the game"? If it's been a long time, fifteen years or more, gear has changed a bit. For shortboarding, most boards are now under 8 ft (243cm) long. The biggest change locally is that most of us are using hydrofoils now and that signficantly reduces the sail area needed. About the longest sail (clew length) one needs now is under 230cm (again, under 8 ft). Wingfoiling means even more compact gear as most boards are 6.5 ft and under - and the wings just roll up into small backs 2-4 ft long.

I used to drag a trailer around (still have it) but as boards got shorter, everything fit into a minivan. And then, with foils, I've gone from needed up to four boards to cover 8-30+ mph, down to two, 215cm and 195 cm long ie 7ft and under

Hydrofoils add a bit of expense but they've greatly improved our ability to get going in light days (they have about 30% less drag at lower speeds) but still have a lot of fun on the windier ones. Some folks still prefer fins on windier days, and, again, most current boards for higher winds will be 235cm or shorter.

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
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Re: What do members use to transport their board?

Semi-relevant. A friend of mine is "commuting to work" Lol (his words) in Bonaire. He brought his own foil and using Tati's boards and sails.

It's not all peaches and cream. He sailed over the reef on Tati's race sail in overpowered conditions. Tati, being a pro, doesn't use an uphaul (drag). My friend was scared out of his mind Yes 3 vigilant not wanting to drop the sail in 1.5-2m swell.

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Mobel
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Joined: 04/16/2023 - 11:50
Posts: 3
Re: What do members use to transport their board?
webguy wrote:

Mobel, welcome! How long have you "been out of the game"? If it's been a long time, fifteen years or more, gear has changed a bit. For shortboarding, most boards are now under 8 ft (243cm) long. The biggest change locally is that most of us are using hydrofoils now and that signficantly reduces the sail area needed. About the longest sail (clew length) one needs now is under 230cm (again, under 8 ft). Wingfoiling means even more compact gear as most boards are 6.5 ft and under - and the wings just roll up into small backs 2-4 ft long.

I used to drag a trailer around (still have it) but as boards got shorter, everything fit into a minivan. And then, with foils, I've gone from needed up to four boards to cover 8-30+ mph, down to two, 215cm and 195 cm long ie 7ft and under

Hydrofoils add a bit of expense but they've greatly improved our ability to get going in light days (they have about 30% less drag at lower speeds) but still have a lot of fun on the windier ones. Some folks still prefer fins on windier days, and, again, most current boards for higher winds will be 235cm or shorter.

I'm bucking the trends with a longboard and a 8.5m2 sail and a 4.9m mast Smile It's what I'm used to and love (and need since I'm tall and heavy)

Foiling looks like fun, but I keep that for later.

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webguy