Can you send a link to the ad?

Thanks for that. I will keep looking. How much volume/litres do you think I need?

I am 84kg and 48 yrs old. I will be using it in Middle Harbour/Balmoral which is in Sydney Harbour. I only want to spend up to around $600-700 second hand.

Bograttus said..
Hi,
I am about to take up windsurfing and am looking to buy a 2nd hand setup. I found this one and was wondering if it would be suitable. It is a Hi Fly Corona Speed 500 wind surfer. It comes with 2 x sails and booms and everything else required (I think). Would this be suitable?
Cheers Dave.

I have sailed the same board many times. It is not the easiest to sail for a beginner. The mast track isn't the greatest tends to slip as you are sailing as it does not lock in very well. The board is reasonably heavy as well, and at near 4mts its long, not to mention the tie on booms are a nightmare for beginners. Modern sails and booms work well with this board though. I have sailed this board in winds from 10knt to 20knt and it gets up and goes with the right gear on board (for it's weight).

I would probably go with something a lot newer, for $600-700 you can pick up a few good bits and pieces through the for sale section on this site and make up a good kit which will last you longer.

The sail may be a bit bigger than you need to start but if you can find a cheapish smaller freeride sail/mast combo, this may be worth considering,

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/coal-point/other-sports-fitness/windsurfing-gear/1126191814

I didn't recommend a specific sail size as I'm not sure of the typical winds they get where your considering sailing. Locals could advise on that.

Good question however there is no correct answer . I have tutored a dozen or so people in the last few years and have found the new crop of super wide learners boards to be rather lacking . Boards like the Starboard Start are great to stand on when your not moving not so good under way . Super fat boards resist planing and tend to stifle progress . We have had great success with older longer more narrow boards which get going much earlier . Best success so far has been on a couple of F2 Lightning race boards followed by a little while on an F2 commet.
Within a fairly short learning process it's on to modern short boards .

It worked for me . Problem for learners now is the boards sold as beginners boards are purely for beginners . I have seen quick learners out grow a Start in one weekend . Too bad if he had layed out hard earned cash for something now of no use.
If you want to learn , borrow some old gear until you get the basics then purchase some intermediate gear which will do for a season or two . Or heaven forbid , do the sensible thing and get some lessons.