Which 135-145l board ? BIC Techno 2, BIC Blast?

[a***@yahoo.ca]

I am 73 kg. (160 pounds) and want to buy my first freeride/light air
board. Places to windsurf include North America lakes and Black See
coast in Eastern Europe where wind is 10-15 knots most of the time.
Looking for good all around board, easy to use, not very demanding
that will allow me to progress on it and stay with me next 3-4 years.

Sting Ray 145
Starboard Carve 145
HiFly Mad 135

were at the top of my list, but now my local windsurf shop is giving
great discounts on all BIC boards. Compared to Carve and Madd and Ray
they are 50% less. That's a lot of money for me.

I've checked lots of 135l-145l board reviews. Carve, Madd and Sting
Rays look like a sure bet but are much more expensive. So I am lining
more toward BICs. Blast is fast and speed oriented. One review says is
more for andvanced surfers. And I am intermediate with 80% of my TOW
so far on long boards. Not a lot of experience with short boards.

Will BIC Blast or Techno 2 work for me, when I am still building my
skills and confidence? Or I simply should give the money and buy
Carve/Ray/Madd? Are those boards going to make much difference for an
intermediate windsurfer that still has a lot to learn in short board
windsurfing, including waterstart and carve jibe ?

Unfortunately I can't try the boards.

Thanks.

Stef

[John Sitka]

Just got the Blast 74, too good a deal to pass up,
haven't tried it yet.
Did try the 66 though very briefly and it wasn't plug
and play like the Madd.
I let that experience wash 'cause I didn't give it a chance.
And was still blown away by the Madd experience at the time.
But the numbers are right on the 74 so I went for it. Board on foot is worth
two in dreams.
Like you say the Bic's are on sale and the Madd will never be.
Had to make a move as the fall winds are coming.
Really happy it has a fair amount of V all along as I need chop handling.
Very slalom dedicated rear footstraps, hope my 14's will find a home there
and not wash away. The full deck pad between the straps seems to weigh a
lot.

I'll post some pics in a little while.(tonight)
Sorry I don't have a test drive for you.

Plus the BLAST it has a gorgeous painted graphics on the fin, how come all
fins aren't like that ;-)

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
I am 73 kg. (160 pounds) and want to buy my first freeride/light air
board. Places to windsurf include North America lakes and Black See
coast in Eastern Europe where wind is 10-15 knots most of the time.
Looking for good all around board, easy to use, not very demanding
that will allow me to progress on it and stay with me next 3-4 years.
Sting Ray 145
Starboard Carve 145
HiFly Mad 135
were at the top of my list, but now my local windsurf shop is giving
great discounts on all BIC boards. Compared to Carve and Madd and Ray
they are 50% less. That's a lot of money for me.
I've checked lots of 135l-145l board reviews. Carve, Madd and Sting
Rays look like a sure bet but are much more expensive. So I am lining
more toward BICs. Blast is fast and speed oriented. One review says is
more for andvanced surfers. And I am intermediate with 80% of my TOW
so far on long boards. Not a lot of experience with short boards.
Will BIC Blast or Techno 2 work for me, when I am still building my
skills and confidence? Or I simply should give the money and buy
Carve/Ray/Madd? Are those boards going to make much difference for an
intermediate windsurfer that still has a lot to learn in short board
windsurfing, including waterstart and carve jibe ?
Unfortunately I can't try the boards.
Thanks.
Stef

[John Sitka]

http://wind.copperring.com/blast/blast.htm

Post by John Sitka
Just got the Blast 74, too good a deal to pass up,
haven't tried it yet.
Did try the 66 though very briefly and it wasn't plug
and play like the Madd.
I let that experience wash 'cause I didn't give it a chance.
And was still blown away by the Madd experience at the time.
But the numbers are right on the 74 so I went for it. Board on foot is worth
two in dreams.
Like you say the Bic's are on sale and the Madd will never be.
Had to make a move as the fall winds are coming.
Really happy it has a fair amount of V all along as I need chop handling.
Very slalom dedicated rear footstraps, hope my 14's will find a home there
and not wash away. The full deck pad between the straps seems to weigh a
lot.
I'll post some pics in a little while.(tonight)
Sorry I don't have a test drive for you.
Plus the BLAST it has a gorgeous painted graphics on the fin, how come all
fins aren't like that ;-)

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
I am 73 kg. (160 pounds) and want to buy my first freeride/light air
board. Places to windsurf include North America lakes and Black See
coast in Eastern Europe where wind is 10-15 knots most of the time.
Looking for good all around board, easy to use, not very demanding
that will allow me to progress on it and stay with me next 3-4 years.
Sting Ray 145
Starboard Carve 145
HiFly Mad 135
were at the top of my list, but now my local windsurf shop is giving
great discounts on all BIC boards. Compared to Carve and Madd and Ray
they are 50% less. That's a lot of money for me.
I've checked lots of 135l-145l board reviews. Carve, Madd and Sting
Rays look like a sure bet but are much more expensive. So I am lining
more toward BICs. Blast is fast and speed oriented. One review says is
more for andvanced surfers. And I am intermediate with 80% of my TOW
so far on long boards. Not a lot of experience with short boards.
Will BIC Blast or Techno 2 work for me, when I am still building my
skills and confidence? Or I simply should give the money and buy
Carve/Ray/Madd? Are those boards going to make much difference for an
intermediate windsurfer that still has a lot to learn in short board
windsurfing, including waterstart and carve jibe ?
Unfortunately I can't try the boards.
Thanks.
Stef

[Stu Snodgrass]

I have a Madd 135 on order, but the other day I had a chance to ride
the BIC Blast 135 and I was very impressed. I have been told that the
BIC is heavier, but it didn't feel that way. I sailed the Madd last
January in Bonaire and really like it. That's why I ordered one. The
only negative on the BIC is the long fin which would be a pain in
Hatteras.

As to the Carve 131, it feels too big through the nose even though it
is narrower than the Madd. I also didn't like the Fanatic XXX 135
because of the domed deck.

Oh well. My 2 cents worth.
Stu Snodgrass

[a***@yahoo.ca]

John, Stu, thanks for your responses and pictures.

They are in line with the reviews. German magazine review says that
they couldn't find a fault or something that Blast 74 can't do well.
Blast is definitely speed/slalom oriented and that's where it excels
according to all reviewers. One guy on Starboard forum says he
switched from Carve to Blast because he wanted more speed. Starboard
Carve is more control oriented and excels in maneuvers, ease of use.

Bic Blast seems to favor experienced windsurfers, while Carve and Madd
are easier for intermediate. For example: Foot straps are dedicated on
Blast, while on Carve you can place them in more forgiving (inside)
positions. People who like doing maneuvers and some freestyle will
like Carve or Madd more.

Went to the shop where they have Bic Blast and Starboard Carve. On the
water Blast 74 may feel heavier but it's lighter than Carve 145l and
only 100g heavier than Madd 135l.

For me Carve or Madd will be a better choice but I am convinced that
50% difference in price will not give me 50% more of a board if I
choose Madd or Carve. Blast looks fine to me. So I may end buying one.

[John Sitka]

Did you compare Blast 74 to techno II?
.

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
John, Stu, thanks for your responses and pictures.
They are in line with the reviews. German magazine review says that
they couldn't find a fault or something that Blast 74 can't do well.
Blast is definitely speed/slalom oriented and that's where it excels
according to all reviewers. One guy on Starboard forum says he
switched from Carve to Blast because he wanted more speed. Starboard
Carve is more control oriented and excels in maneuvers, ease of use.
Bic Blast seems to favor experienced windsurfers, while Carve and Madd
are easier for intermediate. For example: Foot straps are dedicated on
Blast, while on Carve you can place them in more forgiving (inside)
positions. People who like doing maneuvers and some freestyle will
like Carve or Madd more.
Went to the shop where they have Bic Blast and Starboard Carve. On the
water Blast 74 may feel heavier but it's lighter than Carve 145l and
only 100g heavier than Madd 135l.
For me Carve or Madd will be a better choice but I am convinced that
50% difference in price will not give me 50% more of a board if I
choose Madd or Carve. Blast looks fine to me. So I may end buying one.