Have a look at the Star-Board Carve range, a Carve 121 upwards. A good second hand one of these will do the trick for you.

Hi Brav

I am currently using a Mistral Explosion 161 ltr, is rated as a good board for beginners through to advanced sailors. I am somewhere in between. I would recommend it fully. Gets on the plane very early and is easy to carve gybe on.

You might thou want something a little less floaty as I am 115kgs. At 87kgs you could be riding a 120 or 130 with ease, if you get to big a board then when the wind picks up it will be throwing you all over the place. Its like trying to ride a bucking bull on such a big wide board unless you have the weight to hold it down.

Thanks all.

Well, in terms of volume at least (never mind Board magazine's new obsession with width) I've now had advice ranging from 99L to 150L !

Suppose I am naturally leaning towards something bigger having last sailed a Bic Techno 283 (150L). Time to scour the East coast for sale ads forum now.

Brav

Hardman,

This felt like a school test but here's my best answers to try and narrow things down a bit.

Where do you sail?
I am looking to get back into it after some 2 1/2 years out of the sport, after previously sailing for some 2 years on mostly inland waters and some southern coastal waters back in the UK. Looking to start with lake sailing in NSW and Botany Bay (avoiding waves for the mo!),
Average wind conditions?
Probably try and get out in most conditions that Sydney and NSW coast has to offer - try and get out when I can?
Sail sizes:
Thinking 6.5 – 7m (like the look and price of the Gun Flash 6.8m) and probably hang onto an old 5m Gaastra CSL I have tucked away for when I starts to blow.
How much do you want to sail?
Any weekends I can really when it’s windy here in the Sydney area and weekends up and down the coast!
What are your goals ambitions with windsurfing?
Get back into (and out of) the harness and foot straps consistently and generally improve my gybes to progress with flat water blasting (no waves just yet).
Are you a one board only man, or would you consider going to 2 boards?
My budget dictates a one board solution I’m afraid.

Thanks
Brav

Thanks everyone for suggestions and particuarly since I have just checked out adamhatfield's topic at www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7542&SearchTerms=starboard,carve (wish I'd seen that topic before so as not to waste all your time) Whilst I have another 10 kilos on adamhatfield his story seems to mirror mine. Thanks again.

One day in the not too distant future I will be on a board again .. and all will be right in the world - okay well maybe for a few seconds before the inevitable catapult happens!

Thanks.
Brav