Advice about gear

Hi all,

I couldn't find a beginner section here so I hope this post is in an appropriate place.

I'm thinking seriously about getting into windsurfing and I'm interested in some very general advice about boards and sails. I know there is a windsurfing shop in the northern beaches area but it is difficult for me to get there as I live in the south of Sydney.

I'm 50 years old, about 84kg's. From what I've read I'm interested in "free riding", just zooming around, mostly on Botany Bay Sydney. While I don't want to compete at all, I am interested in some speed and excitement on the water. I also want to get on the water as much as possible. Also, I have a hang gliding and surfing background so I thought I'd try and start with intermediate gear rather than beginner gear.

So here are my questions:
1) Since I want max time on the water, eg low wind conditions, should I go for a formula, slalom, or a more recreational board.

2) what size board for my weight?

3) How many and what size sails for max time on water?

4) If I can get a second hand board what is a rough estimate of cost to get on the water.

Thanks in advance.

hi ralph

same age as you, I sail various boards but I do love to own a wide board and a short transitional longboard and a 340 longboard, I am happy to have that little extra bouancy when needed, also having a wideboard means I can offer up beginners some fun and lessons on the water. I am not prepared to go back to shortboards but thats my call [health limitations]. you may like water starts and be happy with a shortboard.

I am keeping my wideboard [rare Prodigy] with a centreboard and movable mast track as thats my bag and a centreboard [to me] is so much easier stability wise to teach someone with, so am selling my other wideboard a Starboard Go, the Go is 3.5 kilos lighter which is a lot lighter than other brand wideboards [gonna miss that] and planes quicker but no centreboard, although it offers two side rail fins [accessories] to equate to a centreboard but I never bought them ,so i gotta clearout my shed, I have too many boards


The Go is a stable wideboard but still great for blasting, surprisingly usable for all levels, about 170 to 180 litres, with rig for $985 [does need a nose repair see adverts] is on our buy and sell here [no pictures] and ebay/gumtree sydney[pictures] if interested

and a Waitata epoxy kevlar sailboard [longer shortboard] 290 x 60 with rig for $320 [ebay/gumtree sydney, pics], fast board, semi sinker for heavier sailers [water starts], unsure of volume, could do deal on both boards [gives you both worlds] and one rig [mast bases same mounting type ie fin box type] or even a quiver of 3 sails in increments of size.

The Go is recent technology , the waitata older [not sure how old?].

also have a nice Bill Foote Maui Hawai fibreglass sailboard, but it may be too small for you at 260 x 55

and a Vinta XL rare John Hall transitional windsurfer at 323 x 65cm and 165 litres [centreboard and movable mast track.]

good luck in your search..there is plenty out there to choose from, I guess it can come down to availability and location of gear too, as getting one delivered can be harrowing...

Formula is great for course racing - they go upwind and deep off the wind very well but they do not go across the wind as easily as a large freeride board. Slalom is fast but you give up a certain amount of comfort. You can still go plenty fast enough on freeride gear. Some freeride gear will be more speed oriented (sometimes called freerace) and others more manouvere oriented. Make your choice based on comfort I reckon - the faster the board generally the flatter the bottom and harder on the knees.


I weight about the same as you. If you are looking at two boards eventually, you might want to start with one about 75-80 wide (130-140L usually). This can become your lightwind board when you get more competent and go for a 60-65 wide board (100L) for some real fun.


As Moby says, three sails will cover a wide wind range, particularly if they are late models. You need to consider boom and masts. You probably need to end up with a 430cm and 460cm masts. For light wind a 7.8 is as big as you can get for a 460 mast. A 430 mast will handle low 5s. A boom that is about 170-220 may fit all three sails.

I have bought boards from new $2K+ to as little as $250. Sweet spot I reckon is two/three seasons old around $600-$800.
Something like this for $500 www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~bahrj/2006-Fanatic-Shark-142-Ltd-264-cm-142-litres.aspx?search=vV34ma7TLlfSOOW509XZB%2bDPcbmf%2bVQPXVyzDxYhRvFHcDAH7eNi6Q%3d%3d

All the manufacturers have something in this space.

I agree with Moby about starting. At our local place you can get a bunch of lessons for pretty much the price of hiring the equipment - the boards are really stable and the sails are really small, you'll get going straight away. Once you've got that sussed, get your big board and smallest sail. As you get more proficient add more gear.

I took it up four years ago and love it. I still remember the first time I got both feet in the straps, fully planing. Wooohooo. You're in for some fun.

re longboards theres a kona 170 for sale on here. (ACT)

definately board wise = go big, go wide.
your not going to be pulling any carve gybes for ages.

its going to take a season before you know how feet placement, harness pressure and sail trim will help you hook in and survive squalls etc.

I found it a much longer learning curve than surfing, when you bring in gybing, downwinding etc. (and ive been an avid surfer for donkeys years)

the trick i found i found is get decent rigging, as this will last while you progress through your boards. (light masts make all the difference)

sail wise i started with two, a 6 metre and 4.5.

though now Id recommend something around a 6.7, 5.7, 4.5 as a small quiver.

go begginers kit all the way...

a novice on an intermediate board is easy to spot, cos there not having much fun out there.