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outhaul
Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:33 am Post subject: Exocet 11'8 and Bic 293 |
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I have the Exocet 11'8 WindSup and love it but want to add a second board both for myself and family to use. At the top of my list is the Bic 293— regular Core not OD, or Nova 205 (same board but with a 3/4 EVA deck pad and smaller fin)
Reasonably priced, light for size, durable, etc. I'm pretty sure my 13 year-old will love it but was wondering how it might perform for me, 210 lbs, with a 50cm fin and 8.5m sail, vs the 11'8 in 15-22ish mph Lake Michigan swell, common conditions here.
I was thinking the 293 might actually be faster, with the right fin of course, and provide a bit of variety. I know the Bic will be more rigid when hitting chop, but not sure about speed, it'd be great to hear from those who have sailed both or at least the Bic properly finned and powered up.
The Bic now has a deep tuttle box so adding a big fin is not an issue. Thanks. |
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outcast
Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:15 am Post subject: |
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Actually, you may have a blast.
Bic ran a Techno 293 race series for a while, as a one-design slalomyy thing (and with a junior division)
8.5 might be a tad much, but it's fast enough.
13 would love either. My kids track better on a longer board with tracking more of an issue sice they are either daydreaming or have no idea where the wind is from. 13yo might sup the 293 pretty easy _________________ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=zw0MgkO7VXw |
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outcast
Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724
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boardsurfr
Joined: 23 Aug 2001 Posts: 1266
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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I sailed the Techno 293 for many years. Mine had two 29 cm fins and no dagger board. It handled an 8.5 m sail without any problems. The 43 cm fin that comes with the Techno 293 D will probably be ok for an 8.5, but if you get the Nova, you'll definitely need to get a bigger fin. But the soft deck on the Nova is a big plus for learning and light wind freestyle.
The board is quite fast for its size, wide enough to learn on, durable, and long enough to have a decent glide in light wind. I liked it a lot while I sailed it.
While the Techno 293 is nice for learning, light wind, and some high wind play, it is not the best board if you want to improve quickly. The high volume and width means it will forgive minor errors, like incorrect foot placement. That's great when you start, but if you stay on it for too long, you may develop bad habits that will limit your progress later. The same is true for the Exocet, though, and the BIC will be livelier. I think you'll like it. |
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Sailboarder
Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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I also considered a Bic and finally settled for a Kona One for similar use.
The kids love the soft deck and the daggerboard is good. The lenght makes it faster for them than a shorter board that would still float them well. They prefer it over 2 older longboards and a shorter Starsurfer. It's way preferred also compared to a Starboard Start that was available at some point, as soon as they figured how to balance a bit. They like the better glide.
I unfortunately never tried a Bic 293. What made me choose the Kona is the larger volume to support my own 210#. The standard fin is 46, and I use it with 9.0. People say that you can use up to 50 on the board if you are heavy. |
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:44 am Post subject: |
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i watched for years every summer, the kids at calema's kids camps would vie or argue for using the kona one's the most.
i thought the 160ish liter nova was fantastic for its price when we tested it for the mag. didn't have any expectations for super high performance, but it was lots of fun. _________________ www.aerotechsails.com
www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/
Last edited by jingebritsen on Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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In non-planing conditions, the much shorter length and somewhat lesser volume of the Bic boards will probably make them slower and less fun for you than the 11'8". (To get non-planing performance that doesn't feel like "shlogging," you generally need at least 300 cm of length, and more volume in liters than your body weight in pounds.)
In 15-22 mph planing conditions you might like the "shortboard" feel of the Bics... but you might also miss the swell-riding smoothness and maneuverability of the 11'8". The Bics might have a little better speed and acceleration than the 11'8", but I don't think they will plane earlier.
Your kids might like the padded deck on the Nova 205 better than the unpadded one on the 293.
I'd say the Nova 205 would be a safe bet as a second family board, if you're looking for something with a more shortboardy feel than the 11'8". _________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
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TheAdmiral
Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 43
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:08 am Post subject: |
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Hi, I'm in Florida(west coast)and regularly sail a bic 293od.This board planes very early,handles sails up to 9.5. Long length gives it glide and it sails like a much smaller board.I removed the center board and used plexi glass to close the opening. This lightened the board and made it plane both early and smooth.Go to U-Tube and watch (Karolwaluszewski) both plane and gybe a 293.The video is under how to gybe a windsurfer. Mark |
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outhaul
Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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d0uglass wrote: |
In 15-22 mph planing conditions you might like the "shortboard" feel of the Bics... but you might also miss the swell-riding smoothness and maneuverability of the 11'8". The Bics might have a little better speed and acceleration than the 11'8", but I don't think they will plane earlier.
Your kids might like the padded deck on the Nova 205 better than the unpadded one on the 293.
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I think you're right about the deck on the Nova, it does add weight but in this case worth it.
How or in what way would the 11'8 be more maneuverable while swell riding? |
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d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: |
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outhaul wrote: |
How or in what way would the 11'8 be more maneuverable while swell riding? |
The Bics aren't designed to do much turning besides long, drawn-out jibes, so they have pretty blocky rails and wide tails with no tail rocker.
On the other hand, the 11'8 is shaped with tucked rails and a narrower, tapered, and forked tail, with a lot of rocker behind the step. Those features are intended to help the board turn easily so you can swerve up and down on waves or swells. To get the most swerving / turning performance from the 11'8 you need the mast base near the back of the track, single footstrap in the back, and a somewhat smaller fin (30 - 40 cm).
This video won't blow your mind or anything, but you can kind of see what I'm talking about with the board setup and swerving-
https://vimeo.com/78441080 _________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
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