Hello Guys,

I am looking at getting a second hand windsurf to get back in the sport, I need your help to identify what to get.

I did a bit of windsurf 10/15 years ago before starting kitesurfing ( I was living in Mexico and there was no windsurf material available for rent there). I went back on a windsurf quickly during some holidays in 2012 to see that I could still do a few basic things (jibes, planning, no water start).
From memory, I was using a Bic 150 liters with a 6.4m sail. pretty easy to use on flat water.

I'm currently in Elwood but will relocate to Chelsea in october. I'm looking at something to use in the bay, more specifically in that part of the bay :-)
The idea would be starting from the beach, take off and go play out back to cruse and work on jibes,
ideally, I would be looking at spending something between $500-$800 so probably some equipment from early 2000's

When a student, I had a Bic veloce 75 liters. was too small for me.
The 150 liters I used last time was good to restart but I can feel its use would be very limited in chop

Questions:
considering the very low budget
- what kind of board should I be targeting? any recommendation in terms of volume, width, weight?
- what size and type of sail? I am likely to mainly sail in summer with southernly wind, the typical after 5Pm summer wind around 20 knots.

Thanks for reading and for your advises!

oups, there was no veloce 75l apparently, which means that it must have been a 101 liters.

Hello, Renaud,

The Bic 150L was probably a Techno, 148L, 75cm wide. The Veloce came in 6 sizes, from 96L to 185L. If you say that the one you sailed was 101L and you couldn’t handle it, then for your new board, something around this size is not for you.

Your problem is that you want to sail in 20 knots, but you can’t waterstart. If you dropped the sail and were caught out the back in 20 knots, trying to uphaul may be extremely difficult. I’d suggest going for another 75cm wide board, 130-140 L, and learn to waterstart. As you get better, the first board can act as your light wind board and you will find that you’ll need a board around 100L to sail comfortably in 20 knots/choppy water.

Sails are another matter but as a suggestion, a 30% (or higher) carbon mast, a quick-clamp-on boom (something like a NP X3), boom size capable of covering 5.0 to 6.4m will be in the ballpark. A 5.5m, non-cambered sail would be good compromise.

If you are getting back into it, I’d suggest you don’t sail alone and you might consider going down to Williams Grove, Bon Beach, which has a good population of windsurfers. Note that parking fees are applicable, but if you are a resident, you can go to the local council and get a Resident’s free pass sticker.

I’m sure that others reading your post will offer advice.

Hope this helps.

Hi Renaud, you just made one great decision (to take up windsurfing again). Once you move to Chelsea, as WindmanV has said, head down to Bonbeach, turn down the street with the bottle-o on the corner, it has a car park right on the foreshore, park on the right hand side, if there's any wind you will see a quite a few of us there, and we will be more than happy to give you some tips.

If you < 80kg's and are comfortable at uphauling in chop, I'd be looking at getting around a ~110L freestylewave or free ridey type board to begin with. 95% of the time its cross to onshore at bonno, so you're always going drift back in if you get stuck...However if your heavier and not comfortable at uphauling, then as WindV said, go for something bigger till you get your skills up.

See you on the water next time.

Thanks guys for your replies.

WindmanV, you are spot on, it was a Core 148, 2008 model

I was living far from the beach when I used to practice back in France, so couldn't sail regularly.
Going back to the sport, learning to waterstart would be my priority. I handle beach start without issue, so waterstart should be next step!
That is also why I was reluctant to get a 150L board as I imagine it makes the water start harder...
=> what are your views on that?

At the same time, I would need something wide enough to uphaul in chop at the beginning.
But I am 65kg, so I am pretty light...

My veloce was a slalom, 101 or 98 liters. 57cm wide. very unstable to uphaul in chop (I did came back swimming once)
But I remember using a freeride board once, some volume around 100L 57 / 56 wide but way more stable (Really liked that board actually)
Would there be differences in shapes that would make a slalom less stable than a freeride for similar volume and width?


I have two issues with getting some material for windsurf:
=> Limited garage space which means I probably won't be able to keep 2 boards.
Given the conditions in the bay, I would then rather go for some gear to use around 20 knots. even if it means I need to first focus on waterstart and shorter sessions

=> budget: (new baby took most of toys budget...)
that also point towards limiting the quiver + I rely on second hand. I found nothing second hand over 110L (and under 180)

Anyway, I will come down to Bonbeach asap!

I personally wouldn't pay more than $800 for it all TBH. Boom looks too big for that sail too. Tell him he's dreamin if he thinks he will get $1500 for it.

Board maybe $400
Sail $200
Boom / mast / bits $200 (Check what brand of mast and boom they are), assuming alu boom, and basic 30% carbon mast.

Exactly the price I offered, but he is not happy with that price despite add been up since April. Shame as I don't have more $ anyway...
But thanks for your analysis, happy to see we arrive at the same conclusion

I'll wait and see...

As we are about to go into spring in 4 days (Hoooray!) you will find more and more second hand gear appearing on this site, so keep an eye on it. Sometime between October to November, can't remember exact date, SHQ have a swap meet where you might be able to get yourself some good cheap gear as well if you haven't already got any.

Select to expand quote

Renaud said..
Exactly the price I offered, but he is not happy with that price despite add been up since April. Shame as I don't have more $ anyway...
But thanks for your analysis, happy to see we arrive at the same conclusion

I'll wait and see...

Lots of good stuff in the second-hand market nowadays... dont go to gumtree - you will be ripped off. Try the ForSale section on seabreeze.

Or post a message to Windsurfing Vic's facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/wvpresident/?fref=ts

Select to expand quote

Renaud said..
Exactly the price I offered, but he is not happy with that price despite add been up since April. Shame as I don't have more $ anyway...
But thanks for your analysis, happy to see we arrive at the same conclusion

I'll wait and see...

Renaud said..
Exactly the price I offered, but he is not happy with that price despite add been up since April. Shame as I don't have more $ anyway...
But thanks for your analysis, happy to see we arrive at the same conclusion

I'll wait and see...

Lots of good stuff in the second-hand market nowadays... dont go to gumtree - you will be ripped off. Try the ForSale section on seabreeze.

Or post a message to Windsurfing Vic's facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/wvpresident/?fref=ts

Hi Mathew, I have been looking at the buy and sell section for a while, but nothing in the 120l range, let alone in my price range...

Just posted a message on facebook, thanks for the tip ;-)

Ready to rock!
Picked up some gear this arvo
The $1500 add, for a final $1000
JP australia Xcite 120L, 2007, pretty good condition minus a few little scratchs
neil pride Zen 5.5 2008, very good condition except a few marks in the top orange section that could lead to some tear in the future. not great, but well...
Prolimit Hybrid alloy carbon boom 160-220
X3 neil pride 430 mast 30%
neil pride alu extension

2 fins that are not the original, 34 cm freerace maui and 43 ride select, both in some sort of composite

Ideally, a 400 mast would have been better for compatibility with a smaller sail, but well, it is what it is and this will put me back on the water...

Select to expand quote

Renaud said..
Ready to rock!
Picked up some gear this arvo
The $1500 add, for a final $1000
JP australia Xcite 120L, 2007, pretty good condition minus a few little scratchs
neil pride Zen 5.5 2008, very good condition except a few marks in the top orange section that could lead to some tear in the future. not great, but well...
Prolimit Hybrid alloy carbon boom 160-220
X3 neil pride 430 mast 30%
neil pride alu extension

2 fins that are not the original, 34 cm freerace maui and 43 ride select, both in some sort of composite

Ideally, a 400 mast would have been better for compatibility with a smaller sail, but well, it is what it is and this will put me back on the water...

Awesome mate!

Forecast might be perfect for you tomorrow down at bonno....See you there!