Mari 4.3 are a great choice for a first boat, they are still being made today so parts if required are not a problem. The older ones are generally solid glass and as such are quite bullet proof. The sail(s) are probably well past their use by date by now if it's a really old one. New sails are available from Nacra Australia in Qld. (the builder) or another option is Redhead Sails at Gosford http://www.redheadsails.com/Redheadsails/Home_Page.html, they make a really nice class legal sail.

I would suggest that you look at catsailor.net and in the Mari part of the forum ask for Mick Colecliffe for help, he goes under the name of "Humungous"

Best of luck in getting a good boat.

Keep an eye on Ebay and Gumtree. They are excellent buys for just fooling about on and serious racing. good one sold in Nowra a couple of weeks ago, complete on an unregistered trailer for $250. The downside is the real estate they take up and probably accounts for the low prices, nothing wrong with the boats.

wicked boats. get a nice stiff boat and put a new set of sails on it and it will be wicked performa. Switch Sails will look after you sail need for great price. drifter gelcoat acid wash and 3M gelcoat restora after that will make look brand new. head down to local yacht club and have a race. heaps of fun and everyone will give you a heads up. also check out Arrow and Arafura Cadet assosiation of Australia
have fun William