I'm looking for some gear advice and hoping some of you can help. Currently have the following gear but I'm just not getting much use out of it since moving to Sydney:
JP x-cite 130, JP FSW 102, NP Helium 7.5, NP Excess 6.9 and 5.9, Gaastra remedy 5.2 and 4.8 and 460 SDM, 430 RDM and 400 RDM masts.
Since I'm not using it much given there never seems to be wind at the right time (weekends) I'm thinking of seriously streamlining my gear, thinking about something along the lines of:
120ltr board, 6.5m, 5.5m and ideally one mast that will fit both- hopefully my 430 as its a great mast. I'm an average at best flattish water sailor. The problem is I haven't looked at any gear reviews for a while so really keen to hear your thoughts on what good kit might be, especially sails with a good wind range.
Any reccos much appreciated. Thanks.
The biggest problem has been the lack of wind in Sydney. Anything besides a long board with a 7m sail or formula with a 11m sail has been the wrong size for 99% of the time.
I think if you streamline your gear you run the risk of having the wrong gear for the wind when it does blow a bit. Without going down the formula route, your 7.5m sail is a good size here and its a mistake to get rid of it in the expectation of getting more time on the water.
Mobydisc, agree with one minor exception... I'm not that keen on sailing with the 7.5, heavy, hard work and wrecks my back..... hmm! Kitesurfing anybody :)
yep, if you want
1 board
1 rig
you either need a formula board or longboard.
how much do you weigh?
reality is you need a lightwind setup and a high wind setup or you will miss out somewhere. your current quiver looks pretty good size wise.
Formula isn't the way to go if the 7.5 is too big. I've got a Loft 02 7.4m. It seems to be reasonably light. Perhaps you can give it a go when we have wind.
yeah agree moby,
confused posted his responce while i was typing mine.
based on that i'm going either a kona 10.5 or a freestyle board and a 5.8m sail. 
my choice would be a freestyle board and a 5.8
the helium is heavier as its cammed 
7.5m = 5.06kg
6.5m = 4.57kg
i've got 8m naish sprint which is 4.69kg, so almost the same as a 6.5 cammed helium...rigs fine on a 460 mast too, so a bit more weight saving.
I was a bit worried this might be too heavy, but no regrets whatsoever. Have hardly used anything else in months with the current weather....
Having said that...I find most of the back breaking weight of bigger sails when uphauling is the weight of the water before it drains, rather than the weight of the rig...
Maybe you could try one of those easy uphaul things which lets you uphaul using your harness
Zippyblue, what kind of wind can you go down to with the 8m?
I'm still pretty much thinking about getting rid of most of my kit and just having a 120ltr and perhaps a 6.5 and a 5.5. Any reccos on sails with loads of wind range much appreciated.
May also consider a bigger sail as a 3rd if I can get it on a 460 mast - the naish spirit sounds interesting.
Thanks.
Can plane fom maybe 12 knots...but im not too good as estimating wind speed so not 100% sure on that.
What I'd say is that before this my biggest sail was 6.7 and I used to see people blasting around on larger gear whilst I was standing still. The first time I used the 8.0 it was very obvious that the 6.7 wouldn't have worked in the same conditions. The 8.0 takes off even with relatively small gusts, and a few times I've found myself catching up with people on smaller gear, even though I'm still relatively new, its a good ego booster
Somehow I've ended up with 4 sails..but really only use two at the moment...6.7 and 8.0. I reckon a 3 sail choice would have been simpler - small, medium, and large...but hey, who doesn't like buying shiney new sails
Should be out on narrabeen on Sat if the forceast stays good, welcome to try it out if ur around that area.
[Edit - forgot to mention, the naish 8.0 rigged on a 460..works well but the boom is at the top portion of the cutout, i'm guessing since it's supposed to be rigged on a 490. I'm only 5`9 so this is fine but if you were much over 6ft might not work. Anyone able to explain the physics of why this is? the overall length is the same, im just using a larger extension to make up the difference.]
