Right Board/Sail Suggestions

[bojingles]

Hi everyone, need some tips on choosing the right gear. I've been windsurfing for about 5 years and consider myself intermediate. I've been riding old gear of a friend of mine, which I think I have "outgrown" not to mention needs to be returned. I'd like to get a mid-grade/level gear for all around free riding on flat lake water. I'm looking for something that will be light, fairly compact, easy to transport/rig and hopefully under $1,500.00 Here's some points about my situation and needs:
- 180lbs, 5'11", athletic
- Flat water, lakes with average winds 10mph/summer, 15-20mph/fall/spring with lots of drunk rednecks on motor boats javascript:emoticon(':o')
Surprised;-) (it's NW Arkansas)
- Not much experience with new equipment - the board I've been riding is like 15 years old, 400 cm long, 60 wide with removable keel, sail made of fabric with 464cm luff.....

After looking at few brands I've zeroed in Bic Nova or Starboard Go. The question is what size/volume? I feel like the 165l might be a good choice, but I'm not sure if I won't sink while uphauling.....On the other hands I think smaller boards plane quicker...
As far as sails I found Gaastra Pilot or Neil Pryde V6. I'm not sure, which model and size would be more suitable...My feel is that 7.5m would be good but then I don't know about the stronger winds. Which sail is also easier to rig? Somebody told me not to look at the NP, because they were to complicated....
Do you have any other suggestions on brands/models/sizes? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
http://www.gaastra.com/index.php/g/sails/2006/pilot
http://www.neilpryde.com/en/2006/sails/v6.php
http://www.bicsportwindsurf.com/products/index.php?sportid=1&catid=43&rangeid=142&lang=us&year=2006
http://www.star-board.com/products/go.asp :o

[Jrobb]

First things first, one liter floats one kilogram. At 180 you are 81 kilos an da board of 100l SHOULD float you and rig up to 7m wet to uphaul. THis will mean your feet wil lbe slightly submerged but it is possible. Better bet is 120l and above. 165, I think you may find is a bit too much so maybe 140l to plane in low wind and carry big sail up to 9m.

I ride a '00 Pure Gecko(fanatic) and at 135l with 44cm wing (finworks) and 7.3 can plane on freshwater in about 16mph wind...if I pump. It is plenty stable to dink around too and is controllable up to and past where I would swap it out for my 5.3 and 90l speedboard.

As far as the sail you will get recomendations from all over the place. General...stay away from anything with race in the mane...for now. They will be more difficult to tune properly at your ability and may just be more than you need. You wouldn't buy your daughter a Foumula 1car on her 16th b-day now would you (you're not a Saudi oil baron by chance are you? ) Unless maybe a freerace sail is ok. Personally, I like my Naish Sprint 7.3m...easy to rig/tune, wide wind range (15-26mph) will not break the bank and is quality construction. It can be used on older epoxy masts ( had one for a while) but is better on newer 30% and up carbon mast. I tried also a Gaastra Matrix 6.4 great sail super smooth acceleration, smoother than the Sprint in gusts it feels like you have an endless supply of power just waiting for you to use but you can disperse it out at will. I imagine the larger sizes will feel similar. Not sure if made for '07 but should be able to find it around still for a deal.

Other than that, Sailworks Retro's, Ezzy Infinity, Windwing (Synthesis I,II, Hammer) I could go on but last one Aerotech Daytona. Just some to look at. Haven't sailed them all, though I wish I could change that.

I saw www.deltawindsurf.com had some decent packages

1)http://deltawindsurf.ezstores.net/product_info.php?product_id=15400&returnURL=http%3A%2F%2Fdeltawindsurf.ezstores.net% 2Fcategories.php%3Fset_bcs%5Bcategory%5D%3D5950&PHPSESSID=d7d9532a4aa71c73298a6168a4d377b6

Only thing is sail ot over 7.0m...you get the picture.

J

[Duncan Adam]

I think for keeping it simple and to give you the best range of sailing, the Sailworks Retro 7.5m with a boom of 217 and luff of 489 or Gaastra Matrix 7.4m with a boom of 215 and luff of 492.

As your sailing old kit I would recomend an up todate 75% carbon mast to reduce the handling weight (probably 2 - 3 lbs less than your current one).

As to boards, all the modern ones are easier to sail, plane earlier but do have a smaller window of usability. 130ish on the volume and 70 - 75 on the width, is about right.

Some possibles are;

Mistral Explosion 130ltr 74 wide
Fanatic Shark 139ltr 70 wide
JP X Cite Ride 135ltr 72 wide
Starboard Carve 133ltr 72 wide
F2 Hornet 134ltr 69.5 wide
Naish Icon 130ltr 71 wide
RRD Z Ride 135ltr 72 wide

You should be able to agree a deal instore or via the internet.

Hope this helps.

[bojingles]

Thanks guys. I've tried to price some of the sets you've recommended and I'm coming over $1.5K.....What do you think about this combo:
- 135l Techno Evolution Classic L for about $790 and
- Neilpryde Solo 7m for about $340?

[Duncan Adam]

Yes that combination should work.

Assuming they are new the price on the sail is good, though you might out grow it in a year, as its listed as a beginner/improver sail.

The board could do with a few more $ discount (about $70 off)but perfectly good, if a little heavy compared to the rest above.