Buying a windsurfer…what board volume and sail size is right for me?

In selecting a windsurfer, what does board volume mean to me? Do heavier people require more board volume? Do less skilled beginners need more volume? I am an advanced beginner with an older board. I want a new, wider board for easier planing. Also, I am 6′, 215 lbs, wondering if windsurfing would be easier for me with a larger sail. Can’t hang from the boom on a 5.4 sail, unless the wind is really strong. So for low winds (5 to 15 knots), would a larger sail help me? Do I go nuts and try a 10.0, or how big do you think for a person my size/skill level?

This is a tricky question to respond properly without knowing what kind of sailing you do and the normal wind in your area.
But for sure, a 5.4 sail is too small for you if you already learned the basics, that is, you can consistently uphaul, tack and return to the place where you launched, and I assume you are planing and in a harness. You need to gradually move to larger sails. If you are serious about windsurfing you will need to have several sails and the 5.4 may be the smallest in you quiver, so start with your next size. I would say try something in the 6.5 to 7.2 range first. Then probably another one larger, 8.0 to 9.2. I am about your same size and my largest sail is a 9.2. I normally use 6.5; 8.0 and 9.2. Only on really windy days I use smaller sails. The problem with larger sails is that over 9.2m2 you start needing longer masts (5.2m) and larger booms (since rigidity becomes more important, you may need to go to carbon). This means a lot of $$ and really sailing large stuff is not as much fun as small. So, try to buy the sails that can minimize the masts you need (say 4.60 and 4.90) and fit in the range of your boom(s).
Do heavier people require more board volume? YES of course, assuming same skill level. You sink the board more and it is also more difficult to uphaul (you still need that for light winds). Volume is what lifts your weight.
Do less skilled beginners need more volume? Larger volume is easier as it floats more and is more stable. It starts being a problem when it is choppy and really windy. Then you want smaller boards.
I think you want a board with not less than 170 lts to 150 liters for winds in the 5 to 15 knots. My suggestion: try the board before you buy it, especially if you are already used to a longer board. Short and wide boards can be more unconfortable to sail in non planing conditions. I don’t know what board you are using, but unless it is something really inadequate, my suggestion is move to larger sails and then think about the board.

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