Buying gear

Question
QUESTION: Patrick,

I'm a novice windsurfer.  I spent 3 weeks in Maui 5 years ago learning how to windsurf.  It was on a friend's board, was small, and I had to learn water starts from day one.  It was also during the trade winds season, so lots of high wind.  I haven't surfed since, mostly because I'm landlocked.  But I will be moving to Juneau, Alaska, in the fall and am interested in getting back into windsurfing.  The winds can get pretty strong there, so I'd need an appropriate board for higher winds. I want something that I won't "outgrow" too quickly.  I'm a 5'4", 120 lb. female.  Any advice on size of board and sail I should be looking for?

Thanks,
Diana

ANSWER: Juneau Alaska??? Couldn't you find a little warmer venue?  Just kidding but seriously just clarify a couple of things first.

1. can you waterstart on demand in any condition?

2. Do you want a board for a wide range of conditions from light to medium wind or do you prefer a high wind only board?  Keep in mind not one board will do everything.

3. Can you sail in 20 mph wind comfortably? (with the right equipment)

4. Can you make 75% of your jibes without falling in?

Let me know the answers and I can give you good idea of what size board and sail you might want to consider.

Make sure you get yourself a top of the line drysuit for that area.

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

QUESTION: In answer:
1.Mostly can water start on demand, unless I get swamped by a 50 mph gust or huge wave.
2.Probably want a board that I'll be using in medium wind (20 mph or so). I'll try to avoid the really high winds (especially gusty conditions), at least until I get better.
3.Yes I can sail in 20 mph comfortably.
4.At the end of 3 weeks, was just starting to jibe and was making them about 40% of the time.

Yeah,I'll probably be wearing a wet suit under the dry suit for insulation!

Thanks,
Diana

Answer
OK sounds good.  You are the same weight as my wife so I can give you a good idea of what she sails on comfortably.  If you think you will be sailing mostly in 15 to 25 mph wind, a 75 to 80 liter board would probably be best for you.  You will not be able to sail in wind much less than that so you may have to consider a lighter wind board as well.  Both myself and my wife have 2 boards;  a light/medium wind board and also a high wind board. We can sail in almost any windspeed using these boards.  If you feel you may want  a slight bigger wind range to sail in lighter wind, you could go to an 85 liter board.  A 5 mtr. sail would probably be the a good mid size sail and if you have the money, you could also get a 4 to 4.3 meter sail and also a 5.7 to 5.8 sail for the 80 liter board. The smaller the board the smaller the range of sails you can use.  This equipment will be quite advanced but based on your answers you should be able to handle it and you definitely won't out grow it.  If you feel you need to start with a slightly bigger board to gain your confidence and get the rust out you could start with a board in the area of 115 to 120 liters and you would be able to sail that in 12 to 18 mph and you will be able to uphaul it.  This is not a board that you will grow out of as it can be your light/medium wind board for all time and once you feel comfortable you can buy an additional high wind board as I described above.  5 years is a long time to recapture the skills you had back in Maui so don't rush things at first. I am a firm believer in buying good used equipment or new old stock from last year.  You can try your local windsurfing dealer to see if they have any leftovers or also try windsurfingclassifieds.com, Craigslist or Ebay for used boards in your area.  One word of caution when buying used.  Make sure you know what you are buying.  Check for any damage or repairs on used stuff and try not buy boards or sails that are more than about 5 to 6 years old.

Good Luck and good wind
Patrick