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bkellis1 said..
Ok, sorry for the long list of boards but this is what I have it narrowed down to so far based on my internet review and all of your suggestions:

Starboard Go 175 (175 liters, 268 cm length, 83 cm width)
Starboard Rio M (192 liters, 290 cm length, 81 cm width)
Bic Beach 160D (160 liters, 255 cm length, 82 cm width)
Bic Beach 185D (185 liters, 293 cm length, 79 cm width)
Bic Techno 160D (160 liters, 254 cm length, 81 cm width)
Bic Techno 185D (185 liters, 290 cm length, 79 cm width)
Bic Techno 293 OD DTT (205 liters, 293 cm length, 79 cm width)
Fanatic Viper 80 (190 liters, 280 cm length, 80 cm width)
Fanatic Viper 85 (220 liters, 285 cm length, 85 cm width)
JP Explorer 165 (165 liters, 275 cm length, 75 cm width)
JP Explorer 195 (195 liters, 280 cm length, 82.5 cm width)
JP Funster 160 (160 liters, 258 cm length, 80 cm width)
JP Funster 180 (180 liters, 258 cm length, 91 cm width)
Kona Hula (264 liters, 294 cm length, 87.6 cm width)

Here's my questions now:

1) in cases where I show multiple boards by the same manufacturer, which would be the better board? For example, the Go vs. the Rio, the Beach vs. Techno and finally Explorer vs. Funster? I need something for a beginner but will be fun for longer than 6 months.

2) then to take that one step further, which board across all manufacturers would be best? For example, Starboard is better than Bic, but Fanatic is best, or whatever.

3) for cases where I have the same board listed but different sizes, which would you recommend for my size (60 kg). Is there a point where volume becomes an issue (too much) or should I be more concerned with width of board? And if width is of primary concern for stability, is there a point where being too wide becomes an issue? I think I like the idea of a wide board to make it easier to learn initially, but I don't want to buy something that I will regret in 6 months due to performance issues after I get past the initial learning curve of just getting up and going.

Hi bkellis1,
Firstly - welcome to one the best sports in the world!
I went through a similar situation, so here are my opinions based on my experience...

If you are buying brand new and budget is not a factor then I would say buy a 175L Starboard Go Windsurfer.
It ticks a lot of boxes - lower volume for you, multiple footstrap positions, retractable daggerboard, soft deck, nice rocker line etc etc
http://www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2018/boards/2018-go-windsurfer/
However, if you are buying used - availability becomes the biggest issue (all you've listed are good) - at 60kg - I'd say go with the least volume - or what's available - as you may not get much of a choice, or second chance; and how long would you be willing to wait for the perfect board to come up???

1) If you're talking 'performance' over 'ease of learning' then:
- Go over Rio (but if its an option ...choose the 'Go Windsurfer' version - with retraceable daggerboard - not the fixed/removable centre fin)

- Techno 160/185D over 293OD or Beach

- Explorer over Funster

2) Build quality of brands ...irrelevant for a beginner really - they'll all be good enough. Compare board weights at the same volumes and opt for the lightest.

3) 150-190 litres. 75-85cm wide should be fine. (but as mentioned - you don't get much choice with beginner boards and/or lower volumes)
When is too wide an issue? ...maybe when carrying it on a windy day, or when trying to look cool in front of hot chicks (big, wide, rounded boards don't look very sexy)
When is too much volume an issue? ...when you do jumps and loops ...or when you have to carry it from your car to the beach, and from the beach back to your car. (no seriously - volume also = weight; especially in beginner boards that are built thicker with heavier materials).
I don't think you'll outgrow a Go / Go Windsurfer / a Techno or the 293OD in 6 months - ...you have a plenty to learn :) and they are very capable boards, you'll be able to go very fast on them.
The Rio and Viper are good but probably the next step down.
The Beach / Funster / Explorer / Kona Hula - are more 'easy going' boards - easier to learn on, but not really shaped for 'performance'.

I'm 83kg, 43 years and bought a used Bic Techno 293OD (because that's what came up at the right time for me in my small, local, used board market) ...and I love it!
Sure - it's 205L - which is too much, but its forgiving.
It has the volume of a pure beginner board, but a better shape - more suited to performance (relatively speaking of course).
Its tough (old fashioned, thermo formed plastic skin tough) - it'll be hard to damage by accident - which is great for learning. And not just in the water - because you'll end up doing something silly with it on dry land too.
It has a retractable centre fin - excellent for beginner stability, heading back upwind.
When going fast, or downwind - put the dagger board up and you definitely notice the difference in speed - its like taking the handbrake off - its that noticeable! This can all be done on-board, while sailing - a big plus when you're starting to go fast and planing - you don't want to be held back by a fixed centre fin. (on a Starboard Go its a fixed Centre fin - you either have it in for 'stability' or out for 'speed', and its not as big (or as stable) as a full retractable dagger board).
The other advantage of the Techno293OD is that its a One Design board and an official Youth Sailing class - resale value is good and relatively easy. (I'm not sure that the other Technos or pure beginner boards would retain the same sort of value)
Lots of young sailors, in your weight class, doing well on these boards - check out their videos. There's one in the TAS thread.

Its a tricky balance to find a good beginner board that you can progress with - because its got more to do with the sailer than the board - time, commitment, research and learning. Any board in the right hands, with some decent wind can do some pretty amazing stuff. Also keep in mind - once you sail, fall in love with this sport, spend a few seasons mastering the techniques (not just months) - you'll have no issues with buying another smaller, lighter board and much more gear. :) ...so don't get too hung up on your first one.

I stopped reading your list after one board, the first one.175L is a bit big.

I like this :: your weight is very lo.

https://www.bicsport.com/windsurf/boards/product/beach-160d.html

If you are NOT buying new, this list is useless, as NO way these will all be availabe at any given p;lace or time.

NOT sure but the KONA is a windsup ? BE ok . OK i read the list to the bottom.

when talking 160L VS 180 L , the advantage of + would be if you are a pie eater, as large to XXLL

The larger volume will limit more advanced sailing, may be a redundant phrase with any of these boards.

When smaller boards are compared most, MOST not all, cant tell 10-15lites difference,until they get below 100L.

So what I think I hear everyone saying is at my 60 kg weight to buy the lightest, lesser volume board but the widest board that I can find. And possibly look more to something like the Bic Beach or Starboard Go Windsurfer. I'm probably looking at buying new since I don't have a ton of used options available to me. Would you please confirm the above statements?

Maybe you should consdider some weight training to build up strength & muscle mass while you look for tbe board .
You will appreciate it when you do get into the water .

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bkellis1 said..
So what I think I hear everyone saying is at my 60 kg weight to buy the lightest, lesser volume board but the widest board that I can find. And possibly look more to something like the Bic Beach or Starboard Go Windsurfer. I'm probably looking at buying new since I don't have a ton of used options available to me. Would you please confirm the above statements?

Disagree, volume will not hold your sailing back if you buy the correct board, it will give you more time on water by having a much greater windrange

The only disadvantage volume has is in jumping or waves or freestyle type tricks.

That is even more true if your on a inland lake which I would assume is gusty conditions at the best of times. If you go for the smallest volume you will spend your time just trying to get on the plane for 100mtr then drop off again as you run into a hole.

You will most likely be in a constant battle to stay upwind if you don't have a centreboard as well because you will be constantly bearing away to try an get on the plane

A sailor on an inland lake should go for something with a centreboard and a bit of volume to get you through the holes and you can sail easily upwind then come back downwind on the plane. It will also give you more time on water as you will have an effective wind range of 3-30 knots if you buy the correct board.

The correct board will have footstrap's, it will have a retractable centreboard and it will have an adjustable mast track. That then rules out funster's and rio's and those learner type boards that I agree you will outgrow quickly.

Whilst wide is good for learning, its not good for slogging or displacement mode. The widest isn't the best in this instance as you want a bit of glide as well to take advantage of the light winds you will encounter.

My most used board is a Phantom377 at 297ltrs I can use it from 3 to 30 knots, my recommendation is for a hybrid, that is techno 293od, phantom 295, Neil Pryde RS one or something along those lines. My kids that are around the same weight as you have Techno293OD and have progressed from relative novice to accomplished racers within one season on the board.

Recently I jumped on one of their techno's in 25-30knot to sail it home for one of them and I can assure you they have very good performance. I sailed it upwind off the fin around a headland than blasted back into the beach on a broadreach, I also have slalom, fsw and formula boards and the techno was just as much fun to sail as any of them are.



Less volume will equal less time on water on an inland lake. You want to be able to sail everywhere and you want to be able to change the board from planning mode to displacement mode on the water.

Hi bkellis1, I'll call it for you. If you're buying new, just buy the Starboard GO, you will not go wrong with that board. It will have a fitting for a centre fin that you will use for the first few times you sail and then you'll just use the rear fin. You will keep it forever and just buy smaller/faster boards when your ability allows, you will always go back to the trusty old GO on light wind days with a massive sail. I reckon for your size buy the GO 141 at 83.5cm wide. Don't worry too much about gym, shape up by just going sailing. Don't make any excuses, just sail as much as you possibly can and you will get stronger/fitter every time you sail. Get the cheapest old 4.5m wave sail you can buy and slowly get bigger cheap sails as you build up your strength and ability. Eventually you will figure out your best mix of sail sizes and go lay your hard earned down on a set of spanking new sails but just buy cheap ones to learn with.

^^Cammd + 1 Exactly.