Dusty,

I would be looking for a stable board with some good volume and width so you can both uphaul, then as you get better, water start. I am 75kg and have a Starboard Futura 121ltr. I reckon this would be pretty good for you. I have had it flying along, but also reasonably stable in light weather.

Sail-wise, am thinking the 5 to 5.5 range would work to get you some experience, but also take you through the intermediate phase as well.

You could go right back to square one and get a one design . . . .

Dusty before you lay out any cash get a lesson or two. Too many people go out and buy gear first before they get any proper instruction on how to use it.

Also, the gear you need now is not necessarily the grear you will need in 3 months.

Consider a WV membership as you can borrow a board and sail from one of the stores free of charge.

Go speak to the guys in the store. They will give you good advice. Bad advice will loose them business, and in the windsurf industry it's all about repeat business.

Where are you based? what was the local where you saw people sailing?

Dusty what about your budget? Expectations?

A used set up (maybe 6 yeas old) with 1-2 sails, boom with uphaul, extension, UJ, mast and Board with fin will probably cost between 1200-1400. For the most part the beginner board will be really hard to get hold of. The rig is not so much a problem. The only issue would be the quality and reliability of the rig, and if the board has water in it. Its hard to tell.

On the flipside, a new set-up might cost between 2000-3000. The store may throw in some lessons to sweeten the deal.

You will easily be able to resell when you grow out of it and you should not loose much on it at all.

The boom, mast, extension and uj you will keep, and if you get a intermediate sail in the kit you will want to hold onto that too. Most people hold onto the board for their family and friends, but if you wanted to you would probably get back close to 80% its cost selling it separately.

So in my opinion there is no huge advantage waiting around searching for the right kit to come along, because for a decent 150l board (which is what you need) you may be waiting months and there is no guarantee that you will catch it in time before its snapped up.

Sure you can try your luck on a 130l freerace board, but these boards are not built for learners. They are not as reinforced and prone to getting damaged by novices. The nose of the board especially. Nothing on that board is good for a learner, for instance the footstraps are too far out so getting into those will be a challenge, as there is not intermediate setting. You will prolong your learning curve.

If I could have had my time all over again, I would have bought a windSUP. Best value for money. Even better if you can get it inflatable as they are indestructible! And you are also likely never to want to get rid of it so its money well spent.

Bondalucci said...
Don't rule out the second hand market.
There is heaps of good stuff out there.
....and as a beginner you may not want to over commit.
It's true you need to by the right gear.
Don't get sucked into full on slalom stuff or an old, long, skinny, heavy board.

If you find the right stuff second hand you will get your money back when you eventually turn it over again.
There are always people wanting good gear to learn on.
eg.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/port-kennedy/surfing/windsurf-board/1030286615

I'd be a little concerned about that one being stolen...

PM'ed you mate