Switching to a fast boat......possible?

I am soon to turn 50 and have been a windsurfer for 30 years, sailing everything from shortboards to raceboards, waves, flat water and speed. I would say my level is advanced and I sail every week.

In the past 12 years I have had 2 neck operations for disc fusion, but i have remained fixed on my windsurfing passion. However, in the past few weeks I am beginning to feel some slight neck discomfort again, probably due to always sailing so powered up and pushing the limits + the rigs are not getting any lighter and where I am based in Singapore, big rigs are the order of the day.

I am thinking if it is time to retire from windsurfing, but it will be hard to give the sport up, unless I can find another water based sport with a similar adrenalin rush, that is kinder on my neck(and body) in general.

Since I have the need for speed, the single handed boats such as an RS700 and MPS, appeal. The question is, being a complete nob at yachting, are these boats too physically demanding and impossible to learn on?

The wind here is often 0-10K, occasionally 10-20k, so plenty of gentle breezes for learning and warm water for plenty of falling in. I can get basic sailing instruction on lasers etc.

There are big laser fleets here, but sorry to say with the speed element they are not my thing.

Any comments appreciated.

Dan

Thanks for the fast reply. What options would you suggest for single handed cats?

I'll take a look. Money may not be an issue as loads of the latest windsurf gear would be up for sale.

Thanks for your input

I think hiking or trapeze would put just as much strain on your neck, because you are still hanging your head with no support parralel with the water with both hiking and trapeze. Could always sail with on of those big neck braces on .

I'm guessing the neck strain from windsurfs comes from your head lurching forward when the windsurf powers up rather than from your neck been unsupported?

If you are UK based; ignore the FX1.  By an A class if you do not want a Spi to play with as well; if you want a Spi; Buy either a Shadown (pure single hander) or an F16 as you have the option of a crew as well.

F16 and A class are about the same speed around the course; A faster upwind, F16 faster down.