What's a good rig for a rookie?

[jj]

Hi everyone out there... I’ve been renting from PA for the past couple of months and think its time to progress beyond the Prodigies. I’m looking to purchase my first set of board and sail plus all the necessary accompanying accessories (eg. mast, boom, harness(?), sunblock.. etc etc.) Since I’ve no prior experience in this area and there seems to be a massive collection of alien terms (freeride, freestyle, formula, longboard….) and different gradations of sizes for different skill levels (eg. Sail sizes, board widths and lengths). Not surprisingly, I’m TOTALLY lost. I'm completely ignorant of which equipment are suitable for me or what are reasonable prices to pay for them. Can anyone out there help me out here?

Some info on self: I’m 73kg and have been windsurfing for a couple of months now, always on the PA prodigies with a 5m sail. Basic stuff like jibing and tacking I can do, but not too smooth at it. I still have ugly falls pretty often when the waves get choppy. Heh.  

I’ve been browsing through the ads and found this guy selling his Starboard Formula 175 for SGD$250.
1.   Is this a reasonable price to pay?
2.   And is this board suitable for my skill level?
3.   Also, what would be a good sail size to go with the board
4.   plus, what’s the price range I can expect? (sail, mast, boom.. etc)

Since this is my first set of windsurfing gear, I don’t wanna splurge and buy some high-end stuff only to brutalize it after a few months. Actually, the lower-end the better, since I envision myself really mutilating the equipment in the next couple of months/years.
Finally, should I buy a harness already? Or wait a while more? Thanks a lot for any info you can furnish me…

Interested sellers, if you think I might be interested in what you have to sell. Please feel free to email me at jiajenli@yahoo.com

[sukhdev]

JJ, my 0.00002 cents worth...

 

quote: 1. Is this a reasonable price to pay?

  yes, its a steal at that price, well worth it

2. And is this board suitable for my skill level?

its not ideal but at that price it doesnt matter, you can trash it in the first year and you are still ok. makes a steeper learning curve than on something ideal like a Starboard Start but heck, its your OWN board..bug us for advice on techniqueand we will gladly try to put you on your way. read the article on how to transition to formula boards in our technique section for some initial pointers

3. Also, what would be a good sail size to go with the board

something 6.x without cams, let me repeat, without cams. this can later be your small sail. at 73kg even a 7 is ok as our light wind season is here. buy second hand, masts and booms last but for your first sail unless $ is no object just pick up any reasonable no cam sail.

4. plus, what’s the price range I can expect? (sail, mast, boom.. etc)

depends on (a) how good you are at bargaining and (b) how desperate the seller is. check our used gear forum. ask around at PA
 

re harness GET ONE NOW. if i had my way i would teach students to use harness from day one. at this stage preferably get a waist harness, easier to hook/unhook (again this is counter to what some advise).  getting to user a harness increases your water time by loads and in my opinion makes for faster learning (i know, i had one of the worst/toughest/most stubborn students ever .. don't ask who, i dare not answer)