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Raceboard Design 2

June 16, 2010 · 25 Comments 

Raceboard Design 2 The “Skiffboard” – Conceptual Design Last year I wrote an article on LBWS regarding Raceboard design. It outlined some design principles that I believe could improve Raceboard performance. Since writing that article, I’ve fleshed out a conceptual design and attempted to gain industry support to bring a new Raceboard concept to market. I’d like to share with LBWS my preliminary conceptual design and the feedback I’ve received from industry. DESIGN The overarching design objective is to the build a faster Raceboard:... [Read more]




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Kona 380 Elite

November 15, 2009 · 9 Comments 

This pure raceboard is an evolution of the Exocet Warp X380, a proven concept and top contender in the Raceboard class. The “blueprints” inherited from the prominent Warp X380 was key when developing this exiting concept. All the positive characteristics of the previous design have been preserved and the conclusion is outstanding. The Warp X380 was a board with astonishing speed and stability upwind, – yet we have succeeded in adding to the performance by moving all the appendices (fins and dagger ) further back. As a consequence... [Read more]




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Windsurfer One Design American National Championships

October 16, 2009 · 2 Comments 

Windsurfer One Design American National Championships (aka: The 12th Annual DINO Race) September 26th, 2009 This grass roots event was organized by the fleet of Windsurfer One Design enthusiasts outside of Houston, Texas and attracted 30 sailors. fleet shot 3 photo by Hauk Wahl Six races were held in light to moderate winds. The 30 sailors were divided into three classes. Starts were alternated and sailors rotated boards each race so each competitor sailed a different board in each race because there were more sailors than boards. A tight start... [Read more]




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The 2009 Kona Gold Cup had it all

September 4, 2009 · 2 Comments 

The 2009 Kona Gold Cup Motala, Sweden – August 16th. 2009 The 4th. Kona Gold Cup had winds from 4 to 40 knots, extremely competitive racing, a record number of 86 competitors from 11 countries, great parties and a fantastic organization – both on and off the water. Additionally, and for the first time in the history of the class, – the Cadets (U14) was included with a separate start. The Swedes demonstrated their superiority already from race one – with sailors of all age groups – from 15 year old Adam Holm,... [Read more]




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Raceboard Design

July 24, 2009 · 27 Comments 

A recent thread in the forum prompted me to think about the future of raceboard design and articulate my emerging opinion on this topic. Raceboard Designs The IMCO was originally designed for a minimum wind strength of 15 knots (ie not really in displacement mode).  It was the best course-racing, high-wind (planning) design at the time of its creation (pre the wide tail revolution).  Even today in high winds (>20 knots), it is a very competitive design compared to the modern high volume raceboards.  The IMCO “works” in light winds,... [Read more]




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2009 Raceboard Worlds Wrap

July 20, 2009 · 11 Comments 

Press Release The record entry of 114 surfers from 15 nations in the Raceboard World Championship 2009 sailed 12 races during the Championship. “This is the biggest fleet in a World Championship of the Raceboard Class, we have seen for more than 20 years”, Murat Tueten from the German Windsurfing Association, who organised the event, raved. It was a tight finish before the world title in the Raceboard class was decided on Saturday June 11, 2009. Maksimilian Wojcik could defeat the German challenger Moritz Martin in a tight finish. Martin... [Read more]




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Minimum board weights – are they too low?

July 11, 2009 · 14 Comments 

Those of you that have read my other Journal entries on LBWS know that I am an avid raceboard sailor.  Over the years I have had many different boards some more successful than others.  In recent times I have owned the last F2 lightning and Mistral Pan am that came out of the Cobra Factory in Thailand as well as the recent Starboard Phantom also from the Cobra factory. Generally speaking all of these boards have been great boards in their own right.  They have pointed and railed well, been quick and a pleasure to sail.  However, they also share... [Read more]




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09 Phantoms hit Aussie shores

July 3, 2009 · 6 Comments 

At last the 09 replacement Phantoms have arrived in Australia.  In accordance with the warranty instructions my friend and I took our 08 model Phantoms to our local Starboard retailer to pick up our new boards.  With much excitement we swapped over centreboards, foot straps and mast tracks from the old board to the new. Ok so I have not used the new board yet but it looks good.  I really appreciated the new shape and lines that appear to be more subtle than the previous.  In particular, I liked the ridges on the deck that travel for a good portion... [Read more]




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The Windsurfer’s guide to Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key

June 19, 2009 · 9 Comments 

I just stood there, starring at my Expedition Windsurfer not believing my eyes.  I had left my dagger board at home, some 70 miles away!  I had just carried the board to the kayak launch ramp at Grande Tours in Placida Florida and realized that I was missing the dagger board.  I never take it out of the board, where could it be?  I had no choice but to load the board back into the truck and head for home.  The Expedition Windsurfer is a specially designed windsurfer capable of being packed out for multi-day camping trips.  My plan was to... [Read more]