New guys needs a little help

[johnson_brian_j]

True, you can sometimes find good gear on eBay. The problem is that much of the gear on eBay is junk that belongs in a landfill. People cleaning out their garages find some old 20+ year old gear in there and think, hey, I'll list this on eBay for $500 and see what happens! Someone new to the sport has no way of knowing what's junk and what's good. Few things will turn you off from windsurfing as quickly as trying to learn on old, heavy, unstable gear.

[npiankov]

Continuing with my ebay theme, here is an item that would be perfect for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Tabou-guru-145L-freeride-windsurf-/300759381019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4606a7f41b

This is not the board for your first day in windsurfing, but you'd be able to handle it after about your first 5 hours on a true beginner board (lessons or otherwise). It will take you from that point to the land of planing/waterstarting etc. You won't get bored with a board like that for at least your first 2-3 years in the sport and would possibly keep it as long as it lasts. Seems to me a great deal at $500.

Now, if you could only arrange for transport from Miami...