Ok, here's the score.



I'm looking for a board. And a sail (and everything else)

I'm new to windsurfing, (around 30 hours total)



Using Techno 293 and 283 with 6M Tushingham.



Being over 6' and 15 stone, I'm thinkin a lot of small boards won;t quite be my cup of tea.



As for levels, I'm past the 'oh shit get me out of the harness quick, I'm going too fast stage' to enjoying planing and playin around.



I like the 293, but had great craic on the 283 this evening.



Can plane. Can use harness. Can chest semi-deep water start.





Currently surfing inshore, but that's just because of the rental shop.



I'm trying to keep an eye out for what might suit me during the summer, so any pointers on what to get would be great (and where, of course).

If your happy with the Techno 283 go for one of them. As an intermidiate progression board they are unbeatable.

If you are looking for a new one there are some good deals about for a complete board and rig (try Robin Hood Watersports) but because they were the best selling board for a couple of years there should be lots of second hand ones for sale at very reasonable prices.

For summer breezes they will take 8.5m-9m rigs easilly and with a smaller fin (~35cm) are quite managable down to 5m on inland waters or flatish coast.

Don't let people with no experience of the Technos try and put you off with tales of weak noses - yes they do get damaged occasionally with a good wipe out but they are easily and inexpensivly repaired - the intermediate learning curve includes compulsory catapults over the front which have the potential to damage any intermidiate board.

Well I bought my first board when I was more or less at your level (I was probably a bit behind where you are. I must be a slow learner). I'm just under 6' and just over 14st, so we're also looking at similar sized boards I guess. I was looking for a board which would be a good board to get me planing, in harness and straps etc, but also serve as a good light wind board afterwards, because most of the wind we get seems to be light. Your starting point of a Techno 283 sounds a reasonable call to me. I would leave the 293 behind, unless you want a big board that you can teach beginners on. It's just too big and the twin fin sytem seems a bit gimmicky to me. I'm also told that when you are at the stage when you are using it as a 'big sails' board, the twin fins can't generate the lift needed to balance as big a sail that a 'proper' fin can (I did still have great fun on one at a rental place a few weeks ago though). I went for a Fanatic E-Ray 170, which is not a million miles from the Techno in design, and I'm really pleased I did. Starboard Go owners also seem to love their boards, though I haven't seen that many of them around.



As to sails, I've no idea what you plan on spending, but do think carefully about the sizes you will need, and therefore what sized mast(s) and boom(s) you will need to go with them. Given you're a big lad (I'm assuming you're a lad), try to include a big sail in your setup if you can afford it. My most frequently used sail is my 8.2, and I plan to make more use of my 9.5 this year. I'm assuming you sail in typical UK lightish wind conditions. If you plan on being a dedicated storm rider only, then obviously think smaller.



As to where to buy, well that depends on where your local shop is and how far you're prepared to travel. Some of the mail order stuff can be good value (eg Gun sails). Decathlon also stock some good value kit, particularly if you do go for a Bic, but think carefully before bypassing your local shop completely because the advice you will get from them can be tremendously helpful, and you can also often get great deals on last year's kit or on second hand trade-in stuff they've taken in. Also if we all buy mail-order then the local shop just won't be there anymore when you just need that small but key piece of kit in a hurry.



My opinion anyway



and have fun!

Wouldn't recommend the large sails. they are a complete work out to use and not good for learning on. Stick with your 6m size and if you really want something larger than go up to 7.5m.

Light wind practice with a small sail is always good practice for balance and technique. The light wind tricks will help you when the wind is howling.

What ever you decide, Good Luck and i'll see you on the water!! Unfortunately the forecast isn't looking good this weekend.

Now that you mention the Starboard Go, I remember having a couple of hours on one of them also. I didn't really like it that much. Thanks for all the good advice by the way.



I've been having a look around various sites for packages etc. What is usally included in the 'package'? For example at 4boards they have a table of boards crossed with rigs, with various prices:



SPACE DOG SPEEDSTER 6.8 RIG 889 889 989 1029



Am i right in thinking the rig comprises the mast and boom, with no sail?

pfl - I think those packages do include the sail. By Speedster I think they mean an Arrows Speedster. Packages normally include the sail, boom, mast, mast foot, mast base and downhaul. Other 'bits' like uphaul, mast extension, harness lines etc can sometimes also be included, sometimes not. If you speak nicely to them, shops will sometimes throw in a few extras, such as any of the foregoing not officially in the package, and sometimes boom bras, mast pads, roofrack pads etc (maybe even a cheapie harness if you're a demon negotiator)



I agree with Dave's comments that lightwind practise with small sails is good for learning, but I do stick with my view that you will want a big sail in your setup at some stage hopefully not to far away. I wish I'd bought bigger earlier, though one downside is that having bit kit does sometimes mean you rely on brute force to get planing, whereas smaller kit forces you to develop better technique (pumping etc) faster.

edited by: TwoFish, Jun 27, 2003 - 04:20 PM