The BiC 250

BiC 250

The Bic 250 is a classic 80's longboard modelled after the famous 1982 Dufour Wing (which was the biggest selling board of 1982). The Bic 250 was available worldwide in the early 80's (1984-1986) and could be purchased for as little as $399 USD (complete with rig).

The board and color coordinated rigs were easily identifiable and suited light wind conditions (Less than 15 knots) that beginners often sailed in. But in truth, for many inland/lake sailors these boards and rigs were great because they could be left outside at those lakeside cabins over winter and then in summer would still be in good shape to be able to be dragged down to the waters edge and sailed.

My own Bic 250 has spent most of its life outside (not the sail) and it is suprising how well it endures. The hull still looks new with the exception of a replacement fin, stickers that have come off and some scratches from use.

Because this is a classic long board it excells in light / patchy wind conditions and with the centreboard feels safe to sail in offshore wind knowing you can 'point' back home even in less than 5 knots.

PROS :

1/ Polyethelyne construction meant this board is indestructable and why so many of them are still around today (2026 +)

2/ Simple lightweight easy to set up rig. Note the key feature of the rig is the 'Boom Loop' attachment method. This is detailed in the videos below

3/ Suitability for light to moderate winds and for learning due to its size, indestructability and relative stability.

CONS:

1/ Polyethelyne construction meant the board is heavy

2/ Fin - the BiC has a very unusual proprietary fin attachment. If you have the original fin look after it! , but if you break it you will probably have to customize a new system. I ended up gluing a Sup fin plate system on mine

3/ Rig - Im in two minds about the rig. By todays standards it is very low-tech but honestly the lightweight nature and ease of rigging makes it great for casual sailors and beginners. Although it has a very long boom; in many ways this makes learning a bit easier because most people learning struggle with the few seconds between clearing the boom from the water (when everything becomes unstable) and getting into their sailing position. Teh long boom means the sail is almost in your hands before the boom clears the water - thus reducing the moment of instability.

4/ Semi-retractable centreboard. The fact this board has a centreboard is actually a huge pro for learning and light wind sailing. As a bonus the centreboard retracts (partially) meaning you can sail over sandbars and in shallow water without problems....but if it fully retracted it would be even better in strong wind. But given this is not a strong wind board the semi-retractable nature is perfectly acceptable and in fact a huge advantage over the Original Windsurfer.

Components