I am a windsurfing noob. A few months back I spent 23 days in Vass and learnt to waterstart, but that's about it (might post a trip report if anyone is interested).

I need new wheels regardless, but they might as well be windsurfing-optimised.

What I have right now is a VS Commodore sedan with 215 K on the clock (the odometer just broke, so that's what it will always have).

General questions.

Is it OK getting a new car? Does salt water ruin cars?

Are off-road abilities needed at all in getting to launch sites? Also, I anticipate getting things on and off the roof racks of a tall car to be a pain.
For example is there any point in buying an Outback over a Liberty?

I've test-driven the following so far:
Subraru Forrester and Outback
Mazda CX5, Mazda 6 wagon
Honda CRV
Toyota Kluger

The CX5 felt "short". The 6 was long, but surprisingly cramped with a low claustrophobic roof. The Forrester was noisy and felt "agricultural". I liked the Outback and especially the Kluger the best. Smooth anesthetic rides, especially after feeling very bump of the road on my old Commodore. But the Kluger weighs a ton (in fact 2!) and I shudder at the thought of fuel consumption figures. The CRV felt like a chick car, though much roomier than the CX5.
I also had a look at the Hyundai i30 wagon. It's cheap, but gosh it takes the melted swoopy look to new levels. (I hate the puny windows in modern cars. VW seems to be the only one resisting the trends, but a Passat is out of my budget + all those DSG horror stories).
So, what to do?

Slap some roof racks on the old Commode and drive it into the ground?

I've also considered getting a the last of the true Commodore wagons - VZ. But I've been driving Falcons and Commodores all my life, so it'll have to be something else this time.

Is it a bad idea in general to carry gear in the passenger compartment from a safety point of view? (So board on the roof, rig in the boot would be best and any car will do?)

I've got a 2004 Outback that has been pretty good as a windsurfing mule. I got a pay out after a hail storm so it doesn't owe me much. I can fit 4 sails and two boards as well as all the bits and bobs. It takes just under ten minutes to turn it from a kid transporter to a windsurf mule fully loaded. The AWD comes in handy occasionally.

BUT

I would much prefer a van as I have more gear than I can fit so I often have the situation where it might have been a bit better if I'd brought THAT board or THAT sail. In a van I could have the lot. And 10 mins packing plus 10 mins unpacking each session? I could sail 20 mins more!

A couple of guys have Renaults and are happy. I think steer clear of the Ford. VW sounds get but sounds like $$$ to maintain. The iLoad looks pretty good. Plenty of threads on vans, google is your friend.

I have a Kluger and I love it. Yes it is a bit heavy on fuel consumption but it is really nice to drive, it can handle rough terrain or sand if required and I can leave two boards, two booms, three sails and a whole lot of other gear in there and still have room for two kids. No need to pack and unpack all the time. I just swap in a board or sail depending on the conditions. There is always the roof rack if I need to fit Hubby in too! Rubber luggage mat in the back picks up all the drips and spills.

MrCranky said..

Reflex Films said..

great news!

you already have the ultimate windsurfing car

vs commodore (series 2 = best car ever made)

Ahh... Did I forget to mention that mine's a sedan?

Bugger! The wagons are really good for windsurfing. The seats fold down on the left side so that you can fit boards inside as well as a passenger, if you are feeling social.

The sedans, not so good.

Mobydisc said...
Get a van.

Eh... No. Anyway, a British sailor at Vass told me that yeah, a van is the best. But when he carried his gear in his car he always ended up with bad cars, so now he uses a trailer. Sounds like an option, but then you have to park 2 cars

I had a Nissan Pathfinder and it was great for surfing/sailing. Carried surf boards up to 8 1/2ft and also used to carry all my windsurf gear - all inside. I recently traded it on a Navara Dualcab ST-X V6 love the power, but had to compromise on space for my sailing gear. All sticks out the back and I have to travel with the canopy back door up, which I don't like, plus not secure if I stop off somewhere. So big points for the Pathfinder.
A van looks the go if you have garage space (height) and depending on your family situation.....
Cheers and good luck!!

Mitsubishi express, plenty of room and chicks dig em

I got a '92 4WD delica. It fits 3 boards 5 sails 3 masts 3 booms and i can still sleep in it.
Off road capabilities may not be the best but will get me most places the other cars do albeit a little slower.
Get a van.

The best windsurfing car is not a car. Its a van.

H-I-A-C-E

Get a delica lwb. You can fit the misses, and the kids in along with all your gear. And no-one will steal it.

Life gets better with a van.

I admit the trailer option never crossed my mind.

When the van is too full, I just might hitch a trailer.

tootall said..

I'm pretty much in the same boat.

I currently have a courier space cab ute, which is getting old and boring (well it's always been boring), and it doesn't really take my increasing quiver of kit well.

I'm also about to be the owner of a longboard - 3.8m of goodness. Obviously that will need roof racks, but the 530 mast and 200+cm boom will (preferably) need some secure transport.

I am also 199cm tall, which rules out a lot of decent contenders.

But in terms of practicality the van is the clear winner. Anyone know of a van that someone my height would be comfortable in?? Or am I destined for a commodore wagon?

(sorry for the hijacking...)

LOL. I'm 174 cm (and mostly legs), and some of the new cars are ridiculous. The Mazda 6 roof is really low. The 6 wagon has less legroom in the rear than the sedan... because it's built on a shorter wheelbase. I was in the back of Subaru XV recently, and my head touched the roof.

MrCranky said...
Ahem... I'm planning to buy one freeride board and maybe 3 sails. Do I really need a van? Anyway, I'm leaning towards a VZ Commodore wagon.

You might be "planning" on only getting 1 board and 3 sails but by next summer you'll have 4 boards and 6 sails and a missus asking you to make some room in the shed.

Stuthepirate said..

MrCranky said...
Ahem... I'm planning to buy one freeride board and maybe 3 sails. Do I really need a van? Anyway, I'm leaning towards a VZ Commodore wagon.

You might be "planning" on only getting 1 board and 3 sails but by next summer you'll have 4 boards and 6 sails and a missus asking you to make some room in the shed.

This is a win - win. You then build some racks and fit 6 boards and 10 sails into a smaller space

Any car or wagon will only be a partial solution, even big 4x4 are a compromise. You need a van. If you have the dosh you'll get a nice shiny VW. If you're n a budget a hiace fram the last decade will do. Either way, you'll feel great arriving at the beach with ALL your gear, and just as great when jamming full 8x4 sheets of plywood in the back at bunnings.

You won't go back to a car.