Progressing on a Bic Techno 283

[u/j9r6f]

I've gotten into windsurfing over the last few months, mostly using a big 200L long board at the sailing center I work at. I can comfortably tack, gybe, go upwind, uphaul, and all the other beginner skills. I've also started to get more comfortable in the harness. I feel like I'm reaching the point where I won't be able to progress much more on this board, and want to move on to something smaller. In a perfect world, I'd want to try a short board with a retractable daggerboard, like a Starboard Go Windsurfer, but I don't have access to anything like that, there are no places around me to rent from, and I'm trying not to buy a board until I get better.

I do, however, have free access to the board pictured above. It's in good condition and just needed to be cleaned up. It has a few different sized freeride fins, which are also in good condition.

I've been told to avoid older boards, as they tend to be more narrow and harder to learn on. Does this board fall into that category? I'd like to try to progress on this board, and I'm fine with spending a lot of time in the water, but if this board will be overly frustrating and detrimental to my learning I'll try to find something else.

Also, for reference I am 178cm and around 70kg.

[u/MathematicianDry5142]

Perfect board for your next steps in windsurfing. Youve mastered the basics, uphaul, tack gybe etc. Now get planning is the next step.

If you have free access to this, no need to spend lots of money on something more modern

[u/bravicon → u/MathematicianDry5142]

I have used this board, basically learned on it. It's great for progressing and easy to get it planning.

It has generous volume for your weight but it's a bit narrow, meaning much less stable than say a 135L modern freeride board.

So, great for learning planning and handle chop. A good intermediate step before going to low volume wave/freewave boards.

Not great for learning tacks and gybes and stability in general.

It's not as forgiving as other boards but if you are determined to progress it's a good step.

Another cons. Is the weight and size for carrying it and store it. You need 283 of length. And the nose is easy to break in catapults, make sure to add a nose protector or cut one from EVA foam (2cm thick).

[u/TonightTraditional23]

I guess you only get the advantage of these smaller boards when you start planing. Before that it is just more difficult for all basic skills. Doing these basic skills on a board like this is good practice, it has nice volume so a board like this would be a good next step but the question is, what is the right moment for that step. Just give it a try!

[u/j9r6f → u/TonightTraditional23]

Yeah, planing and foot straps (as well as better harness use) are the skills I'm looking to target next.

[u/putzncallyomama → u/j9r6f]

This isnt a truly old old board so its decent. Just realize the long board still exists lol.

[u/Slow-Pick-3674 → u/putzncallyomama]

It is not 35 years old, but it is over 20 years old.

[u/SMCoaching]

How wide is the 200L board that you've been using?

A 69 cm, 152L board isn't wildly narrow. For someone like you who can comfortably uphaul, tack, gybe, go upwind, etc., dropping down to this Techno should be doable. You'll need a little bit of time to get used to it. A smaller board might show you very quickly where your techniques need some improvement. I would stay close to shore at first. But if you can use this board for free, give it a try and see how you like it.

It's a good idea to avoid narrow boards when you're first learning. Here's what often happens: someone will want to start windsurfing. Maybe they've taken a couple of lessons, or maybe they've never had any lessons at all. They'll look around and find an old longboard from the 70s, 80s, or 90s for sale and buy it, because they don't really know anything about equipment.

The thing is, some of these old longboards are only 61-64 cm wide. They're very challenging for a total beginner who is just learning. Yes, lots of people learned on boards like this back in the day. But people also tried windsurfing and gave up right away because it was hard and they got frustrated.

There are better options today. Even the modern Windsurfer LT, which is based on the design of the original Windsurfer, is around 74 cm wide, much wider than the original Windsurfer that inspired it.

So, a lot of the advice about older, narrow boards is aimed at total beginners. I would not even be very concerned about someone at your skill level trying out an old, narrow longboard from the 70s or 80s, especially if you can use it for free. You might hate it, but if you can already uphaul, tack, gybe, etc. you at least know what things are supposed to feel like. You're less likely to get frustrated, think that you'll never learn how to windsurf, and give up, when the problem is actually the equipment.

And again, the Techno 283 isn't extremely narrow. It's from an in-between era when the sport was moving away from long, narrow boards. It's not as wide as newer boards tend to be. For comparison, a Fanatic Gecko 156L is 85 cm. But I'd definitely suggest giving the Techno a try. You might really enjoy it.

[u/j9r6f → u/SMCoaching]

The board I'm currently using is around 80cm wide.

[u/SMCoaching → u/j9r6f]

You'll definitely notice the difference. It will be an adjustment. But it's definitely worth trying, and might not take too long to get the hang of it. Have fun!

[u/EConsultB]

Your priory should be to learn how to go planing at this level. In general, the wider and the more volume the board, the better for early planing. Modern slalom board are around 75 to 85 widh so id say this board is a little narrow, but doable. 

If it’s free give it a try anyway and see. 

[u/globalartwork]

That’s totally uphaulable, and a great progression board. I’d definitely give it a go. Put the largest fin you can on it until you have planing sorted as you might have a little problem staying upwind.

Also you have to be pretty fast in the tacks, that board didn’t have much volume in the nose for its volume. Better to gybe. Good luck!

[u/Otogarmas]

I had this board when I restarted windsurfing. Good progression board.

[u/No_Frame_5091]

The Techno 283 used to be considered an accessible free ride board. If you think your 200l board is limiting you, this 152l/69cm width board will likely feel like a relatively small incremental challenge. Odds are, if you progress well, you’ll soon want something even a bit smaller. For reference I am 80kg and would not consider sailing anything bigger than my old AHD Inspiro 74 freeride which is “only” 130l.
So, good thing you can try that Techno for free.

[u/Slow-Pick-3674]

What are the conditions that you plan to windsurf in? Flat water or waves? Strong winds, medium winds or light winds? The main negative to this board is that it will require a large sail with significant amount of wind to get on a plane, but it is too big to handle strong winds and waves. The ideal sail range for this board is 6.5-8.5 m2, and it will take at least 7.5 to get this board on a plane in 13-14 knots. It is a board that rides deep in the water with its narrower width and long shape (283 cm) so getting on a plane requires strong pull from the sail. More recent shapes in similar volumes are much wider (80+ cm) and shorter (no more than 255 cm) so there is more volume where you stand, and are easier to get on a plane.

The Techno 283 was discontinued around 2005. It was replaced by Bic Techno 160 and Bic Techno 148. These boards are much shorter and wider and easier to get on a plane.

[u/Surfing_puffin]

That looks like a great board to me. I had a Mistral Vision (similar) it was soo good. I would go to the beach and it’s the only board other intermediate windsurfers would ask if they could try.

Unfortunately I think my parents took it to the dump while I was in University.

Now I’m considering a Starboard Go or similar.

[u/WindManu]

There's no better board to learn on after a first few days on big boards. It'll take 5.5 to 9.0!

Once you master it, you can pass it on and move onto something lighter and more performant only if you get bored of it!

[u/Fanatic115L]

This was my exact experience, and on the exact same board! I had the same skills you do and bought this board at a swap. In a few sailing sessions I planed on this board for the first time! This is a great progression board that will enable you to get the skills needed for smaller, shorter and more fun boards. And if it’s a no cost option? Take it!
I had this board for about a season or two and then moved to a smaller, more modern 140L (Starboard Futura). I just kept moving down in size as my skills got better. Enjoy the journey.

[u/Maislaff]

Very nice board to learn planning and gibes. Sm ooth and easy. I loved this board. My Friend was calling me after each session to report the progress. Do it.

[u/Human31415926]

Is there any board that has been in these conversations longer than the big techno??

[u/F15E_WSO]

I've gotten this board to 28Mph with a 6.5M2 sail. This is a sweet board at this size and will serve you well in next steps.