Havent even picked up my board yet, but figured I'd give this sport a go.
description on ebay : item 150309398388
Tiga Slalom Windsurfer/Sailboard - Shape: Hugues De Turkeim Design
Light but fast slalom board. Ideal for someone learning or progressing from large board to smaller, faster beast. Ideal for water starts. One male owner (approx 70kg) purchased new and had minimal use. Has been stored unused in garage for some time. Board has 3 footstraps and has a sticker stating: "Guarantee Tiga 2" - Pick up - East Brighton.
Has everything you need to start including:
Two North Infinity Sails (6.0 and 4.3) - Norlum Mylar Tri Stop- as new
and with original carry bags
Mast
Mast foot
Boom
Fin
Waist Harness
Was hoping it was for a real beginner, but after calling them to arrange pickup they tell me its a sinker, so now I'm REALLY worried about starting!
I'm in Rowville, so will be using it around Edithvale (.5 hr away and we tend to go there when its hot - hopefully alot more regularly now...) but thinking about Lysterfield lake. I'm real paranoid as years ago when first tried I didnt know how to steer and just kept going straight so the bay probably isnt a good idea for my first sail!
Are there lessons at lysterfield lake for windsurfers and if so how much? I'm tipping the gear isnt going to come with instructions and I've never set one of these up before........
edit - oh yeah, I'm 80kgs and apparently the board dimensions are approx 2.6 m and width at centre is approx 60cm. Apparently it worked well for a 75kg person - but after calling them they said its more of an advanced board :(
Given the info would it be difficult to get a larger board to start off using those sails?
Welcome to your new addiction 
While your gear is a little old, you should at least be able to learn the basics. You will find that older gear is a little harder to learn on but as long as you are patient, it will all come together for you.
Read through this forum as there are heaps of tips etc for beginners. Try to go down to where there are other guys sailing and ask lots of questions. Most guys dont mind helping out a newbie.
The board may be a little small for a beginner. You may have to look at a larger volume board, say in the 130 - 150lt range. The new boards are a lot wider and very easy to learn on.
Good luck and most of all, have fun 
At the risk of being red-thumbed... I'd say you've been duped.
If you persist long enough, you can learn on it - but you will be doing yourself a disservice. It sounds like you haven't really sailed before -> basically the board is far too small for you to learn on, especially for your first few tries at it.
You could get a larger board, but the for the age of the gear (compared to new stuff) will be heavier than it needs to be.
One suggestion could be to go to one of the shops (RPS in Elwood, SQH in Sandringham) and get a few lessons + hire some beginner gear.
I agree with Matt
Lessons on the Store beginner boards will make learning so much easier. Then practise on the Tiga equipment. You will get there but the road to learning just on the Tiga gear will be a little more difficult but not impossible - I did it. Talk to other sailors and save up for gear 2000 plus. 140 ltr board and a 6.5 mtr sail would be perfect for your weight
yeah I was worried about that...........I guess me being worried about not being able to turn around will be the least the problems - just being able to stand on it will be bad enough :(
the other half is seriously going to kill me for buying it, I'll give it a go next weekend and see how I go, at least you guys are honest, I just went by the fact they said beginner board. Is getting a bigger board and using the mast and sails an option (I'm assuming the sizes I bought are ok for starting?)
Yes, you can use those sails on a beginner board, although you will probably need a new mast extension (thing that sticks in the bottom of the mast and connects to the board) and a deckplate... a deckplate is something that screws into the board that connects to the mast - you probably don't have one, because from what I can tell the mast extension connects directly to the board on yours. It's an old style that isn't around anymore.
SHQ in Brighton or RPS in Elwood will be more than happy to hook you up with some appropriate bits, and a more suitable board, and probably some advice on how to connect the whole lot up. They're all cool guys, and want to encourage people into the sport. Believe me when I tell you that the board is not going help you one little bit.
Sorry for the negative vibe, but seriously, throw a bit more money at this and some commitment and it's a sport that you're going to love.
PS - be careful this weekend with getting in the water - the wind graphs are indicating that it's going to be mental tomorrow....
Good luck! If you ever see a cream old-skool VW van, come say hi. Everyone around Melbourne is pretty friendly and good to offer advice.
well I took everyones advice and called up the seller, lucky for me the other person I was bidding against had called her up and left his details (and surprisingly was happy to pay my bid) so its all ended ok
now to start researching it properly. I take it I'm seriously not going to be able to get anything around $500 for a complete setup (2nd hand of course!) - and that $1500 is going to be more realistic?
anything in particular I should be looking for (I'm going to keep trying ebay just in case)
From the previous a plate for the mast to connect to seems to be important? Thanks again for the advice on the volume of the board and sail size.
I'll also try the stores you guys mentioned - I guess the age old - you get what you pay for really applies in this sport
Asking here is probably the best thing you could do, so you are already on the right track!
This website has a fairly decent buy/sell section - the biggest concern is freight cost... sending the gear interstate can cost quite a packet.
RPS has some very decent second-hand stuff - its near the back of the shop, so dont be afraid of asking.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~gri3/2002-Bic-Techno-283-283-cm-153-litres.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYjZEDAl2Q5LJXnNSPmpJurV
is this more like it? dimensions seem ok?
much better - sounds like it would be close enough for you to take a look at it before you buy it.
thoughts:
- make sure there are no obvious holes in the board
- if it has a 2007 KA 5.7m sail, it probably the Kaos which is good as its a wave sail which makes it pretty tough.
- just check the sails for no obviously big tears - small holes are generally ok, as you can tape them up ok.
awesome! I've just pm'd them to see if its still for sale (his mobile number is wrong). Jman - would appreciate that offer to check it with me (would need to know what else is required if I get it)
Thanks guys - hopefully we're getting somewhere now! Little bit more then what I was planning on, but still better then the wrong item and just putting in storage/reselling it - would never hear the end of it
- sounds like a bargain and perfect for what u want. I've had a go on a mates techno in light winds and they ride really well. They're easy and comfortable, not too technical to sail. Your one is the bigger of the techno's which is ideal for you.
It would allow you toget a 6.5 - 7.5m sail down the track, which would allow you to play around in light wind and still get going.
**-make sure you drag jman out in the rain to check it out.
Havent heard back regarding this board :
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~gri3/2002-Bic-Techno-283-283-cm-153-litres.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYjZEDAl2Q5LJXnNSPmpJurV
but seeing as how it was 283cm I found this one on ebay
Item number: 160299251223
Bic Hardrock Windsurfer wave slalom board. Comes with mast base and is in very good condition.
I asked how many litres and dimensions and got this:
The board is 2.85 metres long and 62 cm wide. Not sure on litres but I think it is approx 120 litres
Is that right? The board is longer then the first one but 30litres less? I would of thought it had more volume or is it because its narrower/thinner?
I know I'm going to need sails etc - but is this board worth bidding on given I'm a total beginner?
Looks a little narrow to me for a beginners board and the base is an old style. Personally I would be looking at a wider board to learn on with a bit more volume, say around the 150lt mark with a width around the 80cm.
It would be a shame for you to give windsurfing a try and then give up because of the difficulties of learning on older gear. Newer gear, say anything up to 3 or 4 years old, is heaps easier to learn on.
how do you tell so quickly that its an old style board/base?
The boards all seem to have a slot where the base plate goes? Or am I looking at it wrong?
If you go and look at a few modern ones you will see the difference. New beginners boards are a lot wider.
Most sails are now rigged with an mast extension that fits into a mast base. If you have a look at some of the sponsors websites ( www.seabreeze.com.au/info/sponsors.asp ) and look up mast extensions and mast bases you will see the difference straight away.
Last of the Hardrocks were made in 1992 or 93, better to stick to the Techno range in the Bics.
ebay Item number: 260320391458
apparantly this one is 250 litres
WINDSURFER , WAYLER , 2 SAILS
BOARD - LENGHT - 3850MM WIDTH AT WIDEST POINT - 685MM
250litres? That sounds more like a boat! I guess it could carry me and my 4 yo at the same time :)
I'm still hoping to get the techno (I keep checking the messages, but he still hasnt answered) so not getting my hopes up too high.
sflack - I've got no idea what you're saying?????? was that a mispost?
but hey - I'll keep you in mind :)
thanks for the advice so far guys!
ebay Item number: 290272424783http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290272424783&ru=broke%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com.au%3A80%2Fitems%2F%3F_nkw%3D290272424783%26_sacat%3D0%26_fromfsb%3D%26_trksid%3Dm270.l1313%26_odkw%3DItem%2Bnumber%253A%2B290272424783%26_osacat%3D0%26_fvi%3D1
Its had some repairs done to the nose though
Are they hard to repair? I've done a little bit of filling with fibreglass on cars years ago. Can the same thing be done on these boards? Or once they get water in them is it pretty much impossible to get it all out and make sure they're water tight......
its the same one thats been advertised in these forums, at least now I know what it looks like and why its so cheap. Got my doubts about this board (its 2nd owner and no doubt why its getting passed around)
would have to get a quote on a professional fix first I think........
That looks more like what you should be looking for. Dings in the nose are quite common with boards, especially those used by beginners. Nose repairs are not that hard to do and there is a wealth of information on this and other sites about repairs.
Its a pretty good buy for that price as the sails arent too old and look in reasonable condition. Maybe you could get someone from this forum who lives over that way to go have a look at it with you.
You will also find 2nd hand larger boards will have had a few owners because most people get a larger board to learn on and then sell it once they have progressed to the next level. My large board I got second hand and it had been repaired a couple of times.
Having had a look at the gear on offer from the ebay item, the 5.7m sail is a KA Stealth RX with 6 cams -> not exactly beginner stuff. I have not seen it in real life, so I cant offer any specific advice except that 6 cams is a worry for a beginner to rig right.
edit: the KA is circa 1998, not 2006/2007
thanks ocean, I'm a little sus on it now, its got damage and he's got no idea who repaired it plus the sail is approx 10 years older then what he advertised it at.
Wasnt willing to budge on 750 (even after I pointed out the above) so I'll look around unless you guys still think its a very good deal for the price. The repairs are possibly done with araldite (well thats what he said). Dont really want to get something repaired badly and then pay extra to fix it again
(I got burnt big time on a motorbike and the other half is not letting me forget that little incident!)
Keep looking. I am sure something will come up for you. Maybe you should get a couple of lessons while you wait for a board to come along. At least then when you get it you will have all the basics sorted and you can get out and have fun straight away.
Hi Wazza,
I am in the eastern suburbs also - in Burwood - and am happy to give you a lesson or two on the learner gear rented out at Sandringham boat harbour. I have been teaching my nephew and a couple of others so most happy to help you also. The gear there is great for learners - huge stable boards and small light sails. You can be up and sailing within 10 minutes. It is a good safe, shallow and fairly sheltered area to learn in most winds also. As you get better you can progress on smaller hire boards and bigger sails. They even have harnesses there for when you get to that level.
I agree with the others - take your time and buy the appropriate board. It will save you some grief or frustration in getting something that is just hard work and will hold you back.
Happy to ride share down to the bay also.
Pedro,
If you ask nicely (and maybe arrange in advance), SHQ should be able to give you use of the learner gear for free if you are teaching Wazza (at least for the first couple of sessions).
At the Melbourne Cup Sandy Point weekend they made a point of trying to get new people into the sport and offered the free use of learner gear at Sandringham if you can bring someone new on-board (pun intended).
Worth a try!
thanks guys (I may take you up on that offer for pedro) I seriously cant get over how friendly and helpful this forum is. Normally newbies get flamed....
Will be awkward this time year trying to tea up a time though, but just found the other half is going to get me some lesson vouchers (I think she's still hoping I wont go through with it!) We're going to inverloch in a couple of weeks so I'll check out the lesson scene while I'm there as well
Found this setup on ebayhttp://cgi.ebay.com.au/Windsurfers-and-a-sailboard-complete-setup_W0QQitemZ140284538074QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Sport_Surfing?hash=item140284538074&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
still waiting for a response back on how many litres the board is and the width of the beginner board (Hey check it out - I actually learnt something!)
Hate to say it but those are old style boards too. Try to take up pedros offer if you can because then at least you will know the sort of gear you are looking for. I would hate to see you waste your money and become disheartened by it all.
I do know what you are going through though as I am relatively new to the sport myself (will be 12 mths on xmas eve).
A modern board had me up and sailing within a few weeks, and planing in a harness a few weeks after that.
Its a great sport full of helpful, friendly people (well in my experience anyway) so hang in there
