Sport Today

Hi all,

I need to get a new windsurf van.  What I need is a mini van that:

1.  Has a standard transmission, preferably 5 speed.

2.  Can remove the rear seats.

3.  Is at least 8'10" bed length with rear seats removed, preferably 9'6".

4.  Can fold the rear seats down into a bed.

5.  Can do 80-85 MPH continuous for 11 hours. (gets me to 3 Mile Canyon)

6.  Gets 20 MPG or better at that speed.

7.  Roof rain gutters would be nice for my current Thule rack.

My Nissan was all this but it's going back to the factory.

What about:  Ford Aerostars, Chev Astros, GMC Sufaries, Toyota LEs,
             Toyota Previas, Plymouth Voyagers, Dodge Caravans,
             Chev APVs, Pontiac Transports, Nissan Quests, Mercury
             Villagers, Mitsubishi Expos.

If you own one of these or any other van you use for windsurf travel,
and you have the time, please let me know about which of the above
features it has and how you like the vehicle.

Thanks very much,

Craig

8'10" Bailey jump, 9'9" Sailboards Maui
Wt 155#, Ht 6'3", Usually sail on high desert lakes near SLC in Ut
Go short or go home

: I need to get a new windsurf van.  What I need is a mini van that:

  Do yourself a favour, get a Herse, perfect load size and shape, they may be
a bit crepy but they are so cool...

   Chris
--
   +-----------------------------------------------+------------------------+
   | Chris Good (Undergraduate - Computer Science) |  Intel   =>   Fool     |
   |      Keynes college, University Of Kent       |  Inside  =>   Outside  |
   |      Take no notice, I speak for no-one       |       ARM Powered      |
   +-----------------------------------------------+------------------------+

        I just bought a 1986 Toyota Van. Not the Previa, the older
model. It has most of the features you want.

        25 mpg on the highway ( 20 around town)
        I have auto trans, but you can get 5 speed
        Seats come out easily
        I fit an 8' 10" board inside, I think it will fit a 9' 6" between the seats
        Look for the LE model ( all extras like dual air etc. )
        4wd is available too, but they are hard to find

writes:
|> I need to get a new windsurf van.  What I need is a mini van that:

I have a Toyota Hi-Ace. A perfect van for me, except that you have no
motor to protect you from front crashes. The new VW vans seems safer in
this respect.

I had them put the back seats on the door side, leaving an alley behing
the driver seat where I put my boards (my girlfriend 10' mistral evolution
fits inside!), I have 5 boards (2 wind, 2 surfs, and my girlfriend 10'),
and 2 full meters are left behinf the back seat to put a bed without
folding the seats

--
Colas Nahaboo, Koala (Bull Research)
Mosaic Info: <A HREF="http://zenon.inria.fr:8003/koala/colas.html"></A>

Why not a full sized van?  My '92 Ford E250/V8 gets 18 MPG HWY and 14
MPG commute (half and half with lights).  with 2 tanks, I can go many
times to my sailing sites between fill-ups and everything fits inside.
The few less MPG can be considered recovered by less wear and tear on
boards sitting on bags in the hot sun as well as less time strapping
them down (the time saved is worth more than the gas to me).  I'd
bet the newer ('93) ones that are more aerodynamic would get 20 or more
with the V6 which has plenty of torque for mtn driving while the V8
can accelerate up steep hills.  Mtn bikes fit inside and you can
save on campground fees since you don't need a tent.

Kirk out