Go's are good standbye's, and have excellent resale, for the reasons
listed above. With a bigger than stock fin and a big sail they will
get planing very early and have a fairly wide range; but biggish chop
and over 20 knots and you won't be too happy, but probably you won't
get those conditions too often anyway. There are lots of other boards
that are just as good and perhaps a little cheaper; there aren't
really any BAD boards made anymore (which wasn't true 20 years ago!)
You might think seriously about a modern longboard. The Starboard
Phantom is a little short to be in the category, and might be a little
high-end/racey for what you want (though I haven't seen one in the
flesh, others may differ). The Kona One (which I have) and the RRD
Longrider (which is a very similar design) don't do any one thing
spectacularly, but are spectacular in being able to be good, if not
great, at almost everything. There are lots of stand-up paddleboards
that can be sailed as well, but most of these are meant to surf
primarily, and you will enjoy the security of a daggerboard for going
upwind. The daggerboard and modest width means that they are fun to
sail when the wind isn't enough to plane (and a Go isn't, its too wide
and short and you will get bored quickly). They are also really fun
when the wind gets enough to plane, and the Kona is a particularly
sweet jiber. They won't plane up quite as easily as something like a
Go, but it doesn't take much more wind and once going they are just as
fast as even small boards; certainly fast enough to give you a good
scare! When the wind does come up they smooth out waves/big chop much
better than a big freeride. They are good to learn on (especially
for your stage, where you have the initial basics) and experts still
find them fun. The long tail (& nose!) makes clearing the sail easy
when learning waterstarts. The only downsides really are the length
(12 feet, you need a full-size van to get one inside) and the weight
(about 16 kg) if you have to carry it any distance or have a
particularly bad back. Still, many people manage canoes and kayaks
that are even longer and much heavier!
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