progression board for beginner

Question
Hello,

I just took windsurfing lessons in Maui with my girlfriend while on vacation.  We loved it!  We we're both able to uphaul and move, but I won't lie, I fell a lot in the moderate ocean chop.  I've been looking into buying a board that I (and my girlfriend 5'6, 130 lbs)can learn and progress on. I'm 6'2, 205 lbs. We live in Westerly Rhode Island (Block Island Sound area), very close proximity to the ocean, and also local ponds and lakes. As of now I've narrowed my choices down to the BIC Nova 165 or BIC Nova 240D.  The 240D claims it will allow you to progress to intermediate levels, and its "hybrid" design makes it a board for many conditions. Plus it's a high volume board, which would make it easier for me to learn on.  The 165 makes similar progression claims, but it would be a little more challanging for me to learn on, and it always seems that shorter and smaller boards are the next step in windsurfing.  Would a "hybrid" long board style or smaller board style be better for me  in progressing from beginner to intermediate?  I suppose I'm asking which board offers the better value.  Thanks so much!

-Karl

Answer
Hey Karl,

The 165 is a board that you both would grow into and still enjoy as a light wind board when you are more advanced sailors. Your girlfriend may have a bit easier time progressing as the board will provide plenty of float for her. For you, it will be a bit more of a challenge but with determination and time, you will progress well too.

The 240 will provide plenty of float for you and her both but once you are both at an intermediate level and want to learn waterstarts and jibing, you will be wishing for a smaller board. It would be a very good light wind board for you but I feel that you would both outgrow it fairly quickly.

So, I'm saying that the 165 would probably be a better value if 1) you are both going to be sailing the same board, 2) you want to progress together, 3) can only afford one board at this time, 4) both want to grow into a board instead of outgrowing a board.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover