Hey all, after a 12 year exit from windsurfing (started kiting when it first came about) I'm thinking of getting back into it. My quiver when I wrapped up was a 2002 JP 261 (Vol 90l) and a F2 258 for waves (82l). I guess I was probably a intermediate (gybed no problem, duck gybe, tack and chop jump etc). I'm 85kgs. Now I want to basically blast around Pinaroo Dutchies etc. I was thinking maybe a JP FSW as a one do it all board for 15kts plus? Maybe the 92l one? Have boards changed that much? Should I invest more in the sails or in the board? Cheers.

Welcome back, its like riding a bike, you never forget.

The gear these days is better, both boards and sails, but in particular sails. Good second hand gear can be easily found. Boards if looked after and watertight are good for 5 or more years. Sails up to 3 or 4 years, monofilm gets brittle over time. Spend money on a carbon boom (good insurance against breakage - especially in the ocean) as well as at least 75% carbon RDM masts. The FSW board is a good choice. 92l will not float you, so you need to be a proficient water starter. The general rule for a floater is 20l above your body weight. Reasonable second hand board and 2 sails will set you back about $1200 to $1800, New mast, boom, harness lines, mast extension and base about $1600 to $2000 - less if you can find second hand. If you stick with constant curve designed sails and masts (eg Naish, North, Loft, Ka, Ezzy, Sailworks) you can mix and match. The following guide takes the mystery out of this vexing issue.

www.unifiber.net/masts-selector

Have fun

I had about a 20 year layoff and got back into windsurfing this year. My old gear was RAF Wave sails, fibreglass wave board, fibreglass slalom board and an epoxy speed board. I'm 95kg and someone gave me a 95 L JP X-cite ride. It doesn't turn like my old gear but is light enough for the small jumps that my decrepit knees can manage. I picked up some low mileage NP Search wave sails (5.0 & 5.4) that are doing the trick. Picked up a Severne NCX 6.5 the other day which is about 8 years old but very nice to use. The biggest change that I noticed was the the mast track is much further back (about 30 cms) than with my old boards. I'll see you out there.

[edit] I have a 100% carbon 400 mast that weighs nothing and a 30% carbon 460 mast that weighs a ton. The modern aluminium booms are heavy because of the clamp mechanism. I wish I could afford carbon.

Compared to the stuff I see still being used, your stuff isn't really all that old, I'd dust it off and get out there first. Maybe you could try some of the newer stuff first before you make any decisions. If your boards are still water tight, I'd be looking at the newer sails first, as well as the RDM masts if you aren't already there. But get a new uni for safety sake anyway, they will age even if not being used.

Hi Jonny 316,
Welcome to windsurfing. Use your JP 261 min one year later you can buy a new board. New or second hand it doesn't matter.(But new version a little bit shorter one. 240-245 cm is ok. Don't buy second hand sail get a new one. You must be a good surfer because duck jibe is not easy maneuver.
Bye. Melih...

Thanks guys, some great advice! Sorry my post wasn't that clear - I sold all my gear when I stopped so I don't have any windsurfing gear at all at the moment (yep, I wish I had kept my stuff). I do see that there is some pretty good packages that come up for sale on seabreeze so I'll try jump on one of those deals. I like the comment that said it's like riding a bike - fingers crossed that's true and I'll see u out on the water!