I have a garage full gear that is either too advance or to basic too old or just not right for me. I am going to sell it all and start from scratch.
Looking for suggestions as to what people now that they have hindsight buy.
I am just barely what you can call intermediate. Can water start (clumsily), but not carve gybe.
118l supersport as the smallest board I have been able to gybe, but not carving.
So the idea is to get some decent new gear, one board, 2-3 sails, mast, boom and the whole lot in general.
So according to you what would be the ideal kit list for a battler like me? I want to do it right this time round.
im interested in the gear you have for sail!! could i get a list?? ill let you know if you need to get anything else mate
if it's not too personal - tell us your approximate weight and the type of conditions you do (or aspire to) sail in.
that'll help match your gear to your goals.
If I had my time again, which I think is what your asking.
After I got off my first 165L board, I would of bought a 110L FSW.
I weigh 85kg.
FSW are fast enough,handle chop, and waves for the intermeadiate sailor.
Get your slalom, DTL wave board later. 
Sell it all and get yourself a 120L X-cite ride in pro-edition, this is a board that will do just about everything and is forgiving enough to progress up to advanced. It has 3 and 4 strap options and will take most mid to lager sail sizes, then get yourself a FSW in about 100L for when it's a bit windier. Sails to cover it all would be 5.0, 5.8, 6.2, 7.2 or a 4.7 instead of the 7.2 if you are blessed with wind. You could throw in a 5.4 but I find I always skip this size, I don't know why but it always gets skipped.
My thoughs only, others may vary.
^^^ what he said. You definitely want easy to sail boards, and the xcite ride and FSW are well suited to Melbourne Bay conditions.
Wait until you've improved before moving on to more specific boards for a specific job.
If you have gear that is "too advanced" i would bet that you would progress up to it sooner than you think. If its something you aspire to use I'd keep it, you don't usually get back what it costs you.
Ive had a 120 X-cite ride for a few years now, ive used sails from 7.5 down to 5.4 but its better suited for the flat water 7.5 flat water weather which is pretty much all i use it for now. There really user friendly although the noses tend to be a bit soft ( could just be me ) I use a 40cm fin on mine and i can almost keep up with the gucci slalom boys ( almost )
For 15-25knot
I use a 100 jp fsw, i can rig a 7.2 down to a 5.4 but its happiest around 5.8-6.5 for my weight and sailing conditions. Took me a few sessions to dial the fsw in but now im really pleased with it. Change the foot straps positions around and have a few fins and the board will cover just about all conditions. They are pretty quick in a moderate amount of chop but do tend to become highly strung as the chop gets bigger. Great board and worth every penny.
Just need to save for a 85 now for the 20+
Freestyle wave sounds like such a good one board solution for the intermediate rider, but for me, I just don't like the feel of them. I've tried a lot of boards and I like both waveboards and slalom boards, but crossover boards just don't feel good to me.
Try before you buy would be my advice.
Or a freestyle board in 110 size, similar rocker line as a fast freeride/slalom so planes very well, but in a turny manouverable shape.
I swapped my 100L FSW for a freestyle board and never looked back, so much better in light winds, and still comfortable enough in windier conditions.
Only negative is they are generally fragile.
I'd dispute RacerX's advice...
Freestyle boards are generally horrible to sail around on unless it's really flat, and they generally gybe poorly as well.
My experiences are limited to 2 weeks on a JP Freestyle 98 and 2 years on a Tabou 100.
I did sail a 2006-7 shape F2 Chilli for a while, and that wasn't too bad, but I think the modern shapes are just plain nasty to sail for freeride.
Don't get me wrong - I love freestyle boards, and I own the Tabou 100 and sail it all the time, but it's a specific tool for a specific job in my book... and that job isn't cruising around having a lovely time.
On Melbourne Bay chop I'd take a FSW every single time.
OK I think I am sold on the idea of a FSW at around 110l - 115l.
What about sails, booms and masts. Is it worth going straight for RDMs, carbon booms? Sizes to go for assuming I get a 110l FSW?
What about sails...?
Keep the Bic techno its the perfect board for the early afternoon seabreeze on the bay, the bay is a tricky place to get your gybe's happening so get that techno on some flat water and learn to carve gybe before worrying about new gear.
Not much fun being on the bay in conditions or gear your not comfortable with.
At your level you dont need to become an equiptment freek to have fun and progress.
i can't speak for the other brands - you may not slice up a wave with one, and as strange as it may seem, the JP dedicated freestyle will get you planing earlier, and give a smoother ride in chop, than the same year JP freestyle wave. it's surprising more people aren't using them as an all-rounder by popping a bigger fin in them. they are fun boards to use even a big volume size in big winds and easy to manage / forgiving
I agree about the freestyle, I use a 2007 JP freestyle 100l as my main board with sails from 5m to 7.2m. Can't fault the board, big fin big sail just to go cruising and small fin small sail for when the southerlies hit.
Gets going really easily, turns and jumps easily. Love the board.
I'm with Haircut and Adam - Very good all-round boards. Mines on the larger size (106) but still handles chop well. Gybes nicely, etc, etc. I was quite skeptical before I got mine but ended up buying a very decently priced 2010 model from a good friend and have been very impressed with it so far.
OK so it's a Freestyle or FSW at +/- 110l. Specific recommendations on these? I personally like the look of RRD's but wonder how they compare with others.
Also RDM's, sails and booms.
I like North sails and Severne sails, any suggestions, recommendations?
The RRD Freestyle Wave is the perfect all rounder for the Bay. The ample v smooths the chop, it,s quick and fun, but easy fun. Love mine.
Get the Ltd construction.
96.
It balances out really well with my 113 litre 70 wide Slalom board. These 2 boards are my 90% use boards on the Bay getting me from 12-13 knots through to 30 knots. Have a smaller wave board for when it's cranking and an aircraft carrier for bugger all wind cruisin.
I want to get down to 2 boards. 110-115l for light wind and something smaller (for later) but the priority is the 110 - 115l.
Also wouldn't mind a SUP/Windsurfer with a centreboard finbox for ultra light conditions.
