Hi all,

Getting the itch to get back out there after a 6 year break from windsurfing. I figure lots has changed since my time so I am open to suggestions for what gear to get this time round.

I use to sail a 4.3 Gastra Wave, and a 5.1 and 6.3 Ezzy with an 8´10" wave an old 9´2 Strapper Slalom for the lighter days.

Will I still need 3 sail, 2 boards, 2 masts and 2 booms to handle Melbourne´s crazy winds? Or gear designs moved on .....

I am hoping to get away with 1 board, 1 mast, 1 Boom and 2 sails. Maybe a 4.5 and a light 5.7?

Was just into afternoon seabreeze freeriding at the time, am 5´10 and weight 70 kgs.

Any suggestions appreciated

Cheers
Derek

Understand your predicament only too well. I moved to Melbourne about 6 months ago and went through a bit of a spending spree to get myself set up. I weigh about 80kgs and ride a 103 litre free ride board. I survived the summer with one sail which was a 6.2 North Natural which got me out in afternoon seabreezes above 18knts and with enough downhaul I was able to keep sailing up to about 30 knts but was struggling to keep the board in the water.

I have since purchased a 5.0 for the windier days and have also just bought a cheap 2nd hand 73 ltr wave board for BIG days to use with either my 5.0 or a 4.1 which I had originally. So the answer to your question is yeah you can get away with one of everything especially if you only want it for afternoon seabreezes, but if you want to keep sailing when the winds go ballistic then you may need to start doubling up. Also make sure that any board you buy has a fair bit of rocker as the bay gets quite a swell and pretty choppy when the Southerlies blow. Also go and chat to the guys at RPS as they have heaps of good advise.

Cheers

Thanks for all the replies,

Sorry about the late reply, am actually backpacking through Bolivia with the missus at the moment and the political situation is pretty messy.... bit like the Bay on a westerley. Just got back into a town with internet. Most major roads are blocked and looks like flying out is our only option.

Thanks for all the ´can do´ replies, I thought board and sail technology would have moved forward a bit in the last 6 years. Am looking forward to hanging out again at Elwood, Pt Ormond, Greenspoint and Mentone, it´s been too long.

The wind range I am looking at is 15-35 knots, I am getting too old for anything stronger . I was always pretty good at getting up on step in the lighter winds so am looking to stay under a 6m, probably get something light, I remember the difference just ditching the wet suit made to early plaining. The real challenge is the other sail..... 5 or below.

It is good to read that windsurfing is still going strong, thought it might have gone the way of the dodo with kitesurfing.

I remember someone saying something about new masts....skinnier or something like that. Are they still around or was it just a fad?

Cheers
Derek