Less = More

Kinda boring topic but had to share...
I am beginning to think there is an inverse relationship between the amount of kit you have and the fun/enjoyment factor!

Recent sessions have left me with a one sail/board setup.

I think having less options to choose from is actually better - i only go to beach when conditions are right (instead of trying to go in marginal/maxxed wind - happier wife) faster car load/unload, no rig options to think about.

It reminds me of the simplicity of surfing - waves up - grab board, beach - fun.

Might sail bit less but it feels better...

I agree with you there fletch.

I have recently dropped back to a 1 board/2 sail combo and have to say I find my time on the water more enjoyable. I am never left wondering if I took the right board out etc.

And having a young family at home, only going out when the conditions are right suits them pretty well too.

I too wish I could simplify agree but its difficult to unless you live somewhere with consistant weather or you are prepared to go sailing only a few days of the year. For example when I went on a holiday to WA over a summer I used two sails, a 4.4m and a 5.0m and a 80L wave board. If you lived in Maui you could probably get away with a quiver like that and go for a sail 3 or 4 days a week all year round.

Today in NSW I keep that gear but never use it and have a 105L and 140L Freeride boards and a 5.9m, 6.6m, 7.4m and 7.8m sail. Plus I sometimes use my wife's 220L beginners board when its light.

So basically if I have time to get on the water and unless its totally calm or blowing over 40 knots I can go for a sail on gear that is not too uncomfortable to use.

Of course we could go back to the days of one board and one sail, like it was originally. But then someone will decide to use a smaller sail and board when its quite windy and we will start heading down the same road again.

I sort of agree in your first comment that less is more. I sail in Perth so our wind is more consistent but I have 2 boards with only 1 fin each and three sails.

I still beat myself up when I choose to small or too heavy a sail for the day but, i never complain about having the wrong fin.

With so many variables involved in terms of how you rig and trim, boom height, harness lines position, mast foot position the less the variables with equipment the better to improve your sailing.

I do have to add I am only an intermediate sailor. I have no doubt that for performance sailors, or extreme wave sailors, squeezing the last few percentage point out of your sailing by having a wider selection of kit is important.

More I say....9 sails, 8 fins, 4 boards, 4 bases, 4 masts, 4 extensions, 3 booms and a whole lot of other crap that I proberly never needed. God this sport is awesome.

I remember when I was too new to windsurfing to know any better, and drove down to a spot down the coast with my only board and 2 sails. There were all these guys standing around, while I just rigged up and got planing straight away. I had a 7.5m and a wide beginners board. These guys were obviously waiting for stronger wind that never turned up. I am sure they would have had almost as much fun if they had bigger sails and boards with them (especially as some of these guys had driven a few hours from Canberra to get there).

Why would you want to go to the effort of getting to a sailing spot and not cover most of the conditions?

I like sailing in 20 knots, but if its 16 or 30, I still enjoy the sailing much more than sitting on the beach or in my car.

Of course some people think you can take it to extremes and have too many boards. Too many boards? There is no such thing

9 boards, actually 8 now i just sold one.

8sails......3 i use....another 5 sails i never use.....4 of which going for $10 each.

5.0m, 5.9m, 6.5m,7.5m.

only 2 booms.

3 masts.

one fin only per board.

gps

i disagree, some of my most enjoyable days are in 5/12 knots on my mini formula board + 7.7m.

what i hate about having lots of gear is....... storeroom and bedroom is clogged and rigging too big sail/board for wind strength as happened lancelin and feeling like i am in a fight. happened wednesday too....wind 20+ knots, on 110litre board /5.8m combo getting hammered in gusts.

Huh formulanova, I wasn't aiming at you one bit with the reply !
Was just general thoughts.

I've currently got 1 board and 2 sails. Once I add a 2nd board to my repertoire I'll be be able to do 18-30kt wind, flat water and surf! Woooo!