If you are looking for a sail that will be easier to learn
waterstarting, probably something between a 5.5 and 6.0 will work.
As far as the boom/mast buy whatever the sail manufacturer
recommends. Sails are very dependent on having the right rig for
proper performance.

For myself I learnt to water start by beach starting first. This
means that you stand in water the is waist deep or shallower and put
your sail into the wind. Put you back foot on the board and then let
the wind pick you up out of the water.

Do this a few times and you should have a good idea of how to
position the board and sail to water start.

If the board isn't long enough to rest your boom on the tail, you
will need to lift the leading edge of you sail into the wind and have
the wind help you lift it out of the water. Personally I find
waterstarting sails like a 7.3 difficult because they have so much
surface area it is hard to get them out of the water, but you will
find a 6.0 much easier.



--- In Manitoba_Windsurfing_Club@yahoogroups.com, Bradley Snyder
<snydes2@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you for the reply and welcoming me to the group.
>  
> I have been windsurfing on Clearwater Bay on Lake of the Woods for
over 10 years. I started out on a one class with a 7.4 and purchased
a 120 L fanatic shark from Boardsports 2 years ago. This kit came
with a 186-236cm north sails boom, 490cm 2 piece carbon fibre mast
and a 7.3 sail.
>  
> I can sail upwind, tack, gybe but cannot waterstart and the 7.3 is
very difficult to uphaul on super gusty days. I am wanting to pick up
a few smaller sails but I think that I will also need a smaller mast
and shorter boom to accomodate a storm sails (6.5 and smaller).
>  
> Is this the case? If so any suggestions on what size and type of
sail/mast/boom (kit) I should be looking at?
>  
> I would also welcome any advice on waterstarting. I have a really
hard time getting my heavy 7.3 out of the water to iniate the
waterstarting process. Are there any links or any thoughts you have
if you have a short board that you cannot rest the mast on to clear
the sail?
>  
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>  
> Brad Snyder
>  
> p.s. If Matt Robinson still gets this email drop me a hello. I
haven't seen you boys in 15 years! Any gear at Clearwater you want to
get rid of?
>  
>
>
> --- On Sun, 8/10/08, donthiessen <donthiessen@...> wrote:
>
> From: donthiessen <donthiessen@...>
> Subject: [Manitoba_Windsurfing_Club] Re: Newbie, where to go
> To: Manitoba_Windsurfing_Club@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 7:20 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Unfortunately not very many places left where you can find more
then 1
> or 2 sailors. Your best bet is the Grand Beach Lagoon on a day when
> it's blowing from the east or South, or the Willow Island Lagoon
early
> in the summer.
>
> On a day when it's blowing strong from from the north or west there
may
> be people at Patricia Beach or Grand Beach, but it is necessary
that
> you be able to water start in order to go on the big lake when it's
> realy windy.
>
> Check out the link below for a good guide to places to sail near
> Winnipeg. Please note most of these are kiting sites and not
suitable
> for windsurfing.
>
> http://www.mts. net/~mhlady2/ windtracker. html
>
> --- In Manitoba_Windsurfin g_Club@yahoogrou ps.com, "manson_dave"
> <manson_dave@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm brand new to windsurfing and looking for places to go that
would
> be
> > good for a beginner. Is there a spot where I can find a bunch of
> > people windsurfing?
> >
>