Best value in old Mistral gear?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Windlover,
Like so many people I sailed when I was young and then I got on the merry-go-round. Twenty-five years later I really want to get back on-board. I sailed a Dufour Wing in the mid eighties and did manage a trip to El Yaque (very different gear) in 2005. I now have a large northern river to sail on and a couple hours a week (Sunday morning)to do it. I need something I can count on being able to sail in virtually anything.

I am trying to decide between:
10-year-old "Take Off" (unused) with 3 sails @ 1000.00
25-year-old "Super Light" (vg cond.)with 1 sail @ 200.00
20-year-old "Equipe LCS XR" (vg cond.) with 3 sails @ 300+400shipping.

How would you rank the value and suitibility of these three boards?

Thanks,

ANSWER: Hey Dan,

What little I know of the 'Take Off', is that it is a freeride board that can handle a variety of conditions and sail sizes. I would need to know what size the board is to tell you if it would be a good fit for you. It does not have a daggerboard so would require a bit of a balancing act to rope start provided it has enough volume. If you are proficient at waterstarting and can tack and jibe, then it may be a good fit for you.

If you are still in the long board stages of sailing and have little or no shortboard skills, you should consider one of the other two boards. The Superlight is a good deal and is a very usable board. A bit limited for advancing your abilities but with a full daggerboard it will go upwind well. The Equipe would be a very good board for river sailing as it should have tacking straps and adjustable mast track which will really help for going upwind. The daggerboard is fully retractable and in higher winds you can slide the mast back and get into the back straps for some high wind sailing.

It will come down to your ability level, predominate conditions you will be sailing in, and your budget. Another thing to consider is transport. The take off will be lighter and easier to transport than a longboard.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I like the Equipe. It appears, obviously, to be the early model. (late eighties, but not used in ten years) Do you think I'm crazy to spend $300-400 to get it here?

Answer
Hey Dan,

Value of a used item is relative to the buyer based on condition, amount of usage, and desire of said item. If it is in great condition and you feel that you will get a lot of use out of it, then you have to decide if the cost is worth it to you. You might try to talk to the seller about other shipping options to reduce costs.

I have a similar Equipe that I found for $30 in excellent condition. But,

New/used fin - $60
New daggerboard - $45
New mastrack carriage - $30
Total into board - $165

Enjoyment factor being able to sail lighter winds - 100%

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover