I would appreciate advice on future gear choices. I'm slowly trying to work out what gear I would eventually suit me best. In particular I want to make sure that if I break my mast & replace it in a hurry (I'm addicted so it would be a quick replacement!), I make the right choice.

I'm slowly progressing from complete beginner -- I've had almost 20 sessions and am currently trying to get a consistent gibe and break 30 knots (peak is a bit over 27). The gear I have at the moment has been pieced together on the cheap from all over:

Fanatic Cross Cx 120
4.7 and 5.2 pre 1998 Sailworks Revolution (wave sail)
5.8 KA Concept Slalom 2007 (haven't used this one yet as my 4.3m mast broke)
6.6 North Sail Natural 2003
7.5 Maui Titan 2010

4m and 4.6 m 30% SDM masts
Chinook Slalom Boom 182-244cm

I've been using the Maui Titan a lot as I've gone out in some low wind conditions and it seems that being a more modern sail I can hold it in about the same wind as my 6.6m sail. When it gets really windy I've dropped back to the 5.2 Revolution (thanks for the advice Jez!) but it seems a bit twitchy and drops power pretty quickly when the wind drops back. I think it will be a season or two before I'm game to try out waves. So I'm after gear that will be fun in a broader range of conditions in sheltered waters e.g the Derwent, at Dorans, Mortimers and 5-Mile.

Would you put money towards a smaller board or better small sails? I weigh 85kg and am finding the board gets quite airborne off the chop in 20+knots (even with a tiny fin). Which sails and which board would you go for? I get the feeling most people are moving to RDMs these days, even for speed sailing? How much do different bend curves matter -- is it really that beneficial to choose a sail/mast manufacturer and stick with that brand? Given a very tight budget, most of this gear will probably need to be secondhand (but I'll have a chat with Damo first :-) ) and acquired over several years....

Thanks a lot for any advice!!!

Definately a smaller board Xarvia.

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buzzy said...

Definately a smaller board Xarvia.

Thanks buzzy. What size do you reckon you'd go? The Isonics seem quite popular, are they enough of an all-rounder or too speed focused?

BTW, who are you? I'm still trying to work out what the names on the forums equate to in real life

I used to sail the Sailworks Revolutions late 90's model sails and found them to be a bit flat & gutless in lighter conditions, and they do need lot's of downhaul to make them less twitchy.

Xarvia, the best thing to do would be to talk to Damien, hes got a great knowledge of whats available and what best suits your requirements.
My general rule is, if you want to go fast then get a slalom board. If you want a good general speed(capable of 30+) and be able to jump and have one board that will cover a variety of conditions, then get a freestylewave board. Size can be an issue, and everyone has different opinion. I would think around 95 or maybe 105 if you still want extra float.
Like Kazza said, 90's sailworks Revo= heaps of downhaul.