I competed 1982 - 1990 in Windsurfer One Designs (sailed Nationals 1987 in Hobart), Slalom and Speed Sailing. I sailed all year and conditions Swan River and ocean. I stopped sailing pretty much for 10 years then took it up again about 2000 for about a year on my then ancient equip - 9'4' glass slalom 4.9m and 6.0m sails. I dropped out again.
Now I'm thinking of coming back, but this time with some newer equip. Problem is now much heavier and part of the reason I want to come back. Get fit and fun doing it.
Now weight 109kg height 187cm. Boards have changed a lot since my day. Thoughts so far JP Funride 145 or Starboard Go 133. I will sail in river after work Spring and Summer. The mind wants to sail in 20-25kts, but reality (and fitness) will be more like 10-18kts and work my way up.
Will these boards suit, which one? Is there something better? So much choice now.
Both choices of boards sound good. Consider the Tabou Rockets too. From personal experience I find them incredibly easy to ride and to have fun on. Not the fastest boards in the world but overall they are easy.
In regards to sail, look at getting a 7 to 8 meter freeride no cams sail with seven battens and the appropriate mast.
Thanks, I prefer not have cams anyway. I find cams make water starting a bit more difficult.
As someone who has come back into the sport after a 13 year hiatus who's using both a Tabou Rocket (115L) and no-cam sails (Gaastra 6.4 Cross Freereide and 7.2 Savage Freerace) I think I'm qualified to offer some advice! You'll find this sort of combo user-friendly and a revelation compared to your old gear. Not necessarily these brands but these types of gear. OK, you wont win races but you'll get on the plane real early and go nearly as fast as the guys on the more dedicated slalom boards and sails. I weigh around 80 kg so you'll obviously be looking at bigger gear. The RDM masts and booms are real nice to use and gear is much more affordable nowadays so may as well get some nice new gear than bang around with some old creaky stuff!
You obviously have some ability and technique which may be a bit rusty but will come back quickly. The Go is more of a progression board and I think you would find it limiting quickly. Around the 130L size would be good, but you should look for a freeride or maybe freerace board. In the Starboard range a Carve or a Futura would suit you well. Volume is only one thing to consider. Rail shapes, board weight, and footstrap placement options are also important.
Support all the above comments. I came back a year ago after 18 years - weigh 95kgs. I got back onto a JP FSW 111L and a couple of no cammed cross over type sails. (north naturals) Wanted to cover all bases until I knew which direction I wanted to go. Good, user friendly stuff, forced me to really focus on got the basic skills back quickly but didn't get boring at all. Really glad I didn't go very basic - the skills will come back pretty quick - don't underrate yourself and buy too basic a set of gear. A FSW or Freeride board would be great - the boards mentioned above, fanatic hawk even. I have gone onto slalom gear now, but am keeping the other gear because I will get back into the surf and it will suit that well.
I also started with two sails of the same type that fitted a single mast and boom - kept initial outlay costs down until I got going again.
