Any Gear Opinion Welcome!

[Dopper]

I'd like tp throw out something to anybody who would care to give me there opinion on gear.
I am a 1 year beginning windsurfer. I have a Bic Nova board.(182 volume) Because of my limited money, I would like to have about 3 sails for Minnesota winds. What 3 sails, based on your experience, would you recommend I get. I'm 6 ft 180 pounds.
I had a 5.9 and a 7.7.and usually ended up using the 7.7 most the time, but...many times..especially last summer, I wish I'd had a 9.0 larger sail for the light winds we seemed to frequently have. On the heavy wind days my 5.9 was too large or perhaps, because of my inexperience, I just couldn't handle the 5.9 in strong winds.
Anyway, I no longer have those two sails with me and would like to replace them this spring. In a perfect world, I would like to get by with two booms and two masts to accomodate those 3 sails. But I would prefer to have the correct sails rather than just getting by on the "cheap"! Thankyou in advance for your help! Dopper

[Tony]

Interesting question. Over the years I've discussed this question many times, not just with beginners, but also with experienced sailors who wanted to downsize their board and sail quiver because of hassle factor or "family interference". I moved here from a windier state and thus have a wide range of boards and sails, but find I often use 2 or 3 boards and sails here 90 % of the time. I weigh 180 also, but am a more experienced sailor, but here's my two cents worth anyway: If I had to keep only three of my sails I would keep a 10.5, 8.5, and 6.5. The board you're using is capable of handling all three well, in most conditions you encounter here once the spring winds settle down. I use heavily cambered sails, but at your experience level I think you might do better with some of the current "retro" type RAF sails, because of their lighter weight, easier popover in light winds, and cheaper prices. Used would be fine unless they're obviously past their prime. I'd use big weed fins, because they're more forgiving of bad technigue (and the more obvious problem-weeds), and seem to handle the big sails just fine. Get aluminum(read-"cheap") booms for the smaller sails, but if you can afford it get a carbon boom and good mast for the big sail. Most importantly, learn to enjoy the light wind days as much as the big blows; you can sail all day in those conditions, and they prepare you for when things really crank. Glad to see a new windsurfer; I'll never forget my initial years in the sport- there's nothing better! Tony

[Dave Z]

I don't know what kind of budget you have in mind but one thing to keep in mind is the myriad of used gear choices available on the web. As a poor college kid back in the early 90's it used to be quite painful getting blown off the water. Just as an FYI you can pick up high wind gear at sites like http://www.windance.com http://www.neilprydemaui.com and http://www.mauiwindsurfco.com for incredible prices. For example, you can pick up a 1999 Ezzy 5.0 wave for $99.00 in great shape that by no means would be considered cheap, rustic, or outdated. Just figured I'd add some info.

[Jim N]

I'd wait 4 the swap meet next spring. Maybe a 4.5, 6.5, & a 8.5 or 9.0 would be a good start...Try out a 9.5 or bigger b-4 U buy...the added weight and size might overwhelm. U can cheat a big mast and buy a carbon (45 to 50cm) fixed base extension instead to stretch your 430 or 460. You might also consider one higher wind board (125 liter or less) that will handle the smaller sails...MY 2 cents worth: JRN