Sport Today

Hi,

This is one of those "Please help a novice" type posts, with a bit of a
difference: I'm not a novice. But I do need a lot of advice.

About 7 years ago I used to sail frequently - I had a Mistral Tarifa
(about 11' transitional board). I sailed in a light wind area - 6.0 sail
most of the time, down to 4.5 when the wind was up. I was about 5'10 and
135 lbs.

Since then I have completely lost touch with the sailing world, changed
countries and now live near Philadelphia, PA (someone has to).

Unfortunately my board did not follow me across the Atlantic. So, I need
to know:
- what new equipment has become "standard" over the last 7 years.
- what the latest and best equipment is.
- what a good price for a board is in US dollars.
- what a nice second-hand board should cost.
- where the best local spots are (within reasonable driving distance).
- what the local guys are sailing.
- where the board shops are. I haven't seen one since I arrived. Or do
  people buy mail order?

I'd appreciate help with any (or preferably all) of the above. Oops,
almost forgot: I'm about 5'11 and 165 lbs.

One other thing - are there any shortsighted sailors out there? Do you
sail blind? Or get contacts and pray they don't fall out? (This is a
serious question.)

Mike England

Head for the Jersey Shore or Delaware Beaches.  In Delaware, Dewey Beach
is the windsurfing mecca.  There are two shops in Dewey, East of Maui and
Sailing Etc.  The bay in Dewey is shallow, and great for "shaking out the
cobwebs".  In Jersey, head for Brant Beach on Long Beach Island, Kennedy
Park in Somer's Point(Ocean City), or Lakes Bay near Kennedy...all sailing
locales similar to Dewey's conditions.  There is a shop in Brant Beach,
Island Surf and sail.  There are a few sailing locations around Philly
on lakes, but not the wind that you will find at the coast.  e.g. Marsh Creek
in Eagle, PA. west of town on the turnpike.  Here's a few phone numbers:

Marsh Creek(shop with rentals) 215-458-5040

East of Maui 302-227-4703

Sailing Etc 410-723-1144(Ocean City Marland no... also in Dewey)

Island Surf and Sail 609-494-5553

|> I need
|> to know:
|> - what new equipment has become "standard" over the last 7 years.
|> - what the latest and best equipment is.
|> - what a good price for a board is in US dollars.
|> - what a nice second-hand board should cost.
|> - where the best local spots are (within reasonable driving distance).
|> - what the local guys are sailing.
|> - where the board shops are. I haven't seen one since I arrived. Or do
|>   people buy mail order?

All these questions are going to take a little research on your part.  No one answer is
going to cut it.  Depends on your skill, enthusiasm, wallet etc.  Best bet would be to
first get the appropriate literature.  Up here, New England Sailboard Journal is good and
I believe there is some Mid-Atlantic equivalent.  Also, Windsurfing is a good generic
source (take it with a grain of salt).  For you the best spot would probably be the Jersey shore,
something like 2 hours away (?).  Mail-order is in fact quite common in the east at least.
Before you do that, though, I might suggest trying to find a swap meet.  The above mentioned
literature might help out there.

|>
|> One other thing - are there any shortsighted sailors out there? Do you
|> sail blind? Or get contacts and pray they don't fall out? (This is a
|> serious question.)
|>

I have pretty bad eyesight, and since sailing with disposable contacts have had NO problems.
They haven't come out yet, including fresh water sailing.  Highly recommended.

This answer is the "short" answers. Restate your questions or wait for others
if you want fuller answers.

Most common - aluminum (aluminium?) masts and booms, although booms are
becomming carbon, as are masts for those who really want lightweight and
hi-tech.

Camber induced sails for everyone except perhaps wave sailors and total
beginners.

Light, composite boards. Most folks go short as soon as they can. One design
racing has nearly disappeared. The Mistral One-Design may change this as its
now an Olympic board.

Equipment has splintered dramatically according to what type of sailing you
want to do. There is no one good answer.
Current types (as I see it)
        (1) Wave - practiced on on the ocean Maui, California, Australian, New
                Zealand, ...
        (2) Racing - Course Slalom on short boards, some big board racing
        (3) Racing - One Design. Mistral is the ONLY thing going in the US
        (4) Recreational lake sailing - short boards to large fun boards.
        (5) High Wind sailing - the Gorge - boards 7' to 8'6" long.
        (6) Bump-and-jump - high winds and choppy water. Mostly ocean, but some
                large lakes.
Additions, corrections, flames welcome.

Sorry, I'm from NE, (Nebraska), not the NorthEast.

Mostly mailorder for those of us outside the major sailing areas. All have 800
numbers.  Many use Sailboard warehouse, Sailways, and Windsurfing Express.
There have been lots of bad things sail about Windsurfing Express. Other
options are to be found in the back of Windsurfing Magazine.

I use a local "shop" for most of my equipment. Some folks here run the business
out of their ba***t and sell North equipment (sails etc), BIC Boards, and
anything that's in the Murrays Marine wholesale catalog. (The Board Cellar,
1-800-827-9144). (No, I have no financial connections with this business, I'm
just a satisfied customer - they give mail-order prices and local service).

I'd suggest finding local sailors and ask about local conditions before jumping
into anything. What's right here in NE is probably at best useless advice for
Pennsylvania.

Hope my short answers help/

chad

 <lots of questions deleted >

I use sport frames (like bolle') with prescription polaroid lenses. They
have a pretty secure stretchable strap that is adjustable.  If you get
nervous about losing them in the water you can tie them to your
wetsuit zipper strap.  I find it very nice to have sunglasses on all the
time. Even when not sunny, and rather dark from storms, the polaroid lenses
still let me see ok.  Only problem with them is that they will fog in colder
weather. I use ski goggle cloth and treat them before sailing.  Good luck on
all your other questions.

--

* University Of New Hampshire
* Equipment: 9'0 HiPerTech,Stinger,Dill 7'10",Fiberspar,Sailworks,Rushwind.