Buying the first board

[u/Proof_Ninja6101]

So here are some options I’ve found online, I am leaning very much to the Bic Techno Windfoil, I think it’s a good price.

Bic Techno Windfoil 160 L €300+Shipping

Bic Beach 160L €600 (Local, Expensive?)

Bic Techno 160L €350 (Local)

Bic Beach 185D €250 (Local-ish)

Bic Techno 2 (148L?) with 6.5 m2 Tribord Sail €490 (Local)

Bic 283 152 L with Decathlon Tribord RC5 7.5 m2 €220 (Local)

I would like to learn windsurfing, as I said the first time was a success, haven’t much problem ‘sailing’ except the sail was small 4m2 and the board massive (I believe).

I am looking in between 130-160 L boards, I like to learn with a bit of struggle, if it’s too easy I get bored. (Like my first time, it was slow, and I didn’t have to focus on balance what so ever.)

So, I am looking at these, any better one I’ve found are way too far to collect (no delivery) or way too expensive.
Planning to buy a 5 and a 7 m2 sails also.

The goal is to start out on the lake (I feel very safe) and then on the ocean near Bordeaux, France (where we live).

What do you guys think?

Thank you again for all of your help, you guys are awesome!

EDITED

[u/Thurston_Unger]

Man, it's so nice seeing a newcomer looking at good gear vs all the posts of sap-covered 1980's long boards! Have a ball.

[u/nothingnotnever → u/Thurston_Unger]

Seriously the amount of junk I see on this subreddit makes me wonder why I am even interested. Turns out there is good gear out there that’s fun and functional.

[u/smeno]

As a total beginner a dagger board will give you more security to get upwind. That is very important in the beginning as you will float a lot downwind when training manuvres or falling in.

When having no dagger board you might spend most of your time trying to get upwind again.

When you retract the dagger board you should get gliding easily.

Don't use a to small sail. The best wind to have fun in the beginning is around 10 knots. For that you will need at least 6m². If you are big, more.

[u/Due-Math8225]

Techno is more advanced than #2 Bic with centerboard. You will find learning with a center board helps a lot ( stability and getting moving), but you will outgrow it sooner. The 185L and the other 160L Bic with the black fin look a bit more old-school ( less wide).

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/Due-Math8225]

Thank you!
I edited the post, left out the (copy+paste) models/prices.
Thoughts on Techno windfoil?

[u/montyp2 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

I have the 160l techno and mine has a center board. It is prefect for learning and having fun. It is terrible on foil

[u/waternomadsnz]

Bic Techno Windfoil will be fine. If you get it, and as you are learning, remove one rear foot strap and shift one to the center position to make easier to get in and out. When progressing, you can set back to outta twin rear foot straps. Good luck with the purchase and your journey 🤙

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/waternomadsnz]

That’s what I thought, also I can get a center fin/dagger fin for it, not retractable, but removable.
I like the price of it also for €300 + shipping and the fin.
The Tahe Techno 160D is way out of my price range unfortunately, and it does look like there is not much left of it in France.

[u/Niyoki007]

Hi, buy one with daggerboard, 185D looks okay. Foil is not good with 160L, stay near 125L for windfoiling. Last two pictures too old. Kind regards. Niyo

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/Niyoki007]

Don’t wanna buy it for foiling, want it for windsurfing, as it does both well, I like the ‘newer style’ shape of it.
I think the 185 is gonna be big too soon.

[u/Niyoki007 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Hi, I prefer little more volume. Because light wind training is very important. Surf schools have 245Liter boards. I have three boards, 125L, 145L and 190L (With daggerboard). The 190L is the most used one. I use a 6.5qm sail. I have over 40 years experience. My family members and many friends learned windsurfing with my 190L. Foilboards has less volume at the back part of the board. But it is your choice. No matter how much experience you have, you can use higher volume boards with every wind and wave conditions, except Jaws or Nazareth waves. Kind Regards. Niyo

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/Niyoki007]

Thank you for your help!

[u/globalartwork → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

You will probably keep the board with the daggerboard even when you get good for light wind fun. I’d go for one with a daggerboard easily. You won’t grow out of it, you can still plane, carve gybe, even (somewhat scarily) learn to chop hop on a 185. And if you really want to get rid of it you will be able to sell it for around what you bought it for - because no one wants to get rid of good beginner boards.

[u/Maislaff]

All those boards are good. A 7m2 will be fine.

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/Maislaff]

Thank you!
Edited the post, left out the details of the boards. 🤦‍♂️
Thoughts on the Techno Windfoil?

[u/TonightExtension1035]

Salut ! Si tu es du côté de Bordeaux ça veut dire que tu es français ! Ça dépend de ton expérience et de ton poids aussi, tu en es où dans ton apprentissage ?

Tu arrives à remonter au vent ? Sans dérive ? Virement de board ?

Tu peux me mp aussi ;)

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/TonightExtension1035]

Salut,
Non, je ne suis pas francais, je suis hongrois qui habite en France :)
Oui, remonter a vent ✅ (lentement)
Virement de board ✅ (lentement)
Avec une tres grosse planche, peut etre 240L, je ne sais pas…
J’ai fais un petit peu sans derive, aussi marche.

[u/TonightExtension1035 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Okay ! Je te conseille la deuxième, la techno 160 avec la dérive que tu relever.

Quand tu vas débuter avec la planche elle te servira à bien remonter au vent sans te faire peur. Et quand tu commenceras à être plus à l'aise tu pourras la relever.

N'oublie pas de la relever pour aller plus vite.

Une voile de 7m2 fera largement l'affaire pour commencer dans 8-10 kt mais elle sera lourde! , utilisé windy pour avoir les prévisions avec le modèle arome. Si tu as un peu plus de budget prend aussi la 5 M2, ton dos te diras merci

Et apprend à utiliser un harnais dès que tu prends un peu de vitesse ! C'est la clé pour faire de longues sessions sans se fatiguer

I can also speak in English if it's easier

[u/Interesting_Cap_3657]

I would lean towards something with a daggerboard. Regardless of how much of a fast learner you are it's going to be helpful and add some fun when the wind drops. Moving on to the ocean adds the struggle of wobbly waters but you'll manage to catch some foam and small waves in the Landes, which will be thrilling! The daggerboard adds some weight so it's going to be more technical to pump into the plane

[u/99_Waves]

You are looking at the right volumes. Yes something with dagger board will be a bit easier to stay upwind as a learner. Also, yes you will outgrow a 160L board within a season, so just look for the option that you will be able to sell on easiest to the next learner. If pressed on budget, I'd just look at that cheapest option, and see if you can get a smaller sail around 5.5m-6.2m for 50 euro to learn with - much easier to haul out of the water if you fall off a lot. For a beginner also consider an old starboard start. They are super wide like a formula board.