Hi Guys. My first post on the forums at Seabreeze.

After 10 years out of the windsurfing game I've recently bought a decent second hand rig with 3 sails: 5.0, 5.4 and a 6m I've been surfing since I was a young fella (I'm now 40) and used to be rather competent on a windsurfer.

I jumped on a mate's board a couple of years back and it was like riding a bike... first run I managed a full carving jybe, a few chop hops, water-started with no problem and even managed to get a couple of duck gybes in after an hour or so.

I sailed mainly in Botany Bay, Sydney, Jervis Bay as well as some wave sailing. My last board was a Waitata II slalom around 110ltrs from memory and a 70 ltr wave board that sunk up to my waist in lulls.

I've noticed how much has changed in my absence, and I'm not really sure what sort of secondhand board I should buy. I like sailing in choppy stuff and want to pop airs and stuff, and also want to do some wave sailing at Cronulla in Syd once I find my sea legs.

I'm currently looking at buying a secondhand 2007 JP RWW 85ltr for $400, but I'm not really sure how it will hold up in around >15 - 20kts on Botany with my 85kg frame. I really dont want to spend more than $800 on my new (secondhand board) until I find out what works for me in these new designs.

Does anyone know if this is a good board. Will it keep me planing in 15-20kts with a 5.0 or 5.4 wave slalom rig? I've read this board is really focused on wave sailing, but I like the look of the outline and dont mind sacrificing top-end speed for something that's going to be versatile on Botany Bay and in small waves.

Looking forward to your advice and feedback. Oh, one more question... I used to use a seat harness and hated how waist harnesses would ride up. Are these still around and would you suggest I go with one these days, or have the waist harness got heaps better.

Looking forward to making some new mates and becoming part of the community here.

Peace Nige

I reckon you would juussst be right in 15-17kn with the 5.4
Juusssst - pumping, bear away, hard work.

I know you have had success coming back to it, I also found that after a 4 yrs break I had due to injury. But you could make it a bit easier by being on a slightly larger board.

Whilst there are certainly better boards (slightly bigger freestylewave may be better) .... for $400 if it is watertight and light it is a pretty good deal.

Unless you can find a 90-100L FSW about 2006-2008, for $600 - $800, the JP may be a good option.


Am little bit worried about your term "wave slalom" pertaining to sails - that is a reallly old term so what do u have in the way of a rig?

thanks for the advice, Mark. What the hell were you doing up at that time of night?

Anyway, when I bought the sails/rig it came with one of these: www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~axcd3/1998-Hybrid-272-cm.aspx?search=nwYiSCB98Ug6DEr7DCSVLuwLIq04xJsSoVo7!wEYPZw=

...A 272 Hybrid Shaped by John Hall. I didn't particularly like the look of it and was going to leave it with the bloke but he insisted I take coz he didn't have any space.

Do you have any idea if this board is decent for a while until I find a newer board to ride and figure out what I want from a board. The Hybrid is long and skinny with pretty bulky/boxy rails. Looks like it would be pretty fast, but I'm not so keen on the look of the outline. It just don't look like it'll gybe nicely, but I could be completely wrong. Perhaps I should give her a whirl before writing her off completely.

One more thing, any idea how many liters this board would be?

You're going to be struggling quite often at 85kg with a 85 RWW on Botany Bay. Fine when it's blowing well, but there are many marginal days in Sydney. Either you only go out when the wind comes in good, or plan on getting a 2nd board, (maybe 110 litres?) for those other days.

Most who sail Sydney will have at least two boards to maximise the chance of getting out on the water.

Oops, just noticed the John Hall you got. It might fit the bill for light wind nicely. (Although the rails look mighty square.)