Hi, I am a middle aged or so dude trying to get back into sailboarding. I was very active for about 12 years in the 80s and 90s just before the short boards became the "thing". Before anyone asks, no I cant afford a new fibreglass board, or anything that goes with it, I am lucky for the storage that allows me to keep my stuff.

Over about 3 years and about $300 dollars (my budget)
I have collected the following:
F2 Comet with carbon mast and al boom, 5.5m2 sail
Bombora 284 complete with 3 sails of various size in good nick and fibreglass mast.

I looked for a drifter windurfer/long board for many years, but found they got trashed early.

I have sailed them both with commitment and while I can have some fun with this gear, I definitely missed out on the transition from drifter to water start/planer. I water start, although it takes a fair bit out of me, and for the life of me I cant work out how to tack or gybe these things properly. I understand there is footwork involved, but years of research cant find where the tricks are learnt.

Any advice?