Hi, just wondering if anyone has any experience buying sails/masts overseas and getting them shipped to Aus, with the Aus dollar so strong it seems like it could still end up cheaper, or is it just to much hassel?

Also, what is arrangments for taking windsurfing gear on a plane, i am going overseas at Christmas and was considering taking a board and sails? Or buying them overseas if cheaper and bringing them home

Thanks in advance

i bought a sail from boardwise in the uk because no one in australia sold it, buy the time i got it here it cost me about 650 aussie dollars which is great for a race sail, the freight was only about $100 which i thought was not bad and if it comes in under $1000 you dont have to pay the sales tax in the country of origin or gst here

Hi Kooga,

Attempted to buy Tabou Rocket from Canada ($AUS1500) - to ship had to pay about $AUS500-600 in port, tax and other duties, to airfreight - about the same, found a friend of a friend who was willing to take it with him to Sydney, but Air Canada only lets boards not longer than 2.5 meters or something). A lot of hassle with the big stuff.
Sails and booms are much easier - to ship a Chinook Big Wave boom from US Estmusis quoted me $US250 - the Sale price was $US499 (same boom in AUS $999) - Buy the time I decided to buy it was gone :-(((
Good luck.