Hi,

Yes, I know that a Prodigy isn't technically a longboard, especially in "some circles". And I don't have one... but I have a friend that is shopping for one, because he has a storage issue, and a board the Prodigy's length, is about all he can store.

And I'm asking this question to this group, because there is a wealth of windsurfing knowlege and experience here. And it seems to me, that some here may have once owned a Prodigy, or may have a friend with one.

My question is about the mast-track durability or reliability. I know of two Prodigy's that in the last couple months, have both had their mast-tracks pull out of the board, while being sailed.

Both times, it was a closed body of water... and the sailor and board made it back to the beach... but the rig did not.
However, this could be very dangerous.

Imagine, you are sailing along, going fast... and suddenly, the mast-track comes out of the board !!!
The board flies away... you fall in the water holding onto the boom. Big Trouble !!!
(Yes, a rig leash/tether is a very good idea.)

Anyway, these boards were probably both almost 10 years old. And they were stored outside, in the NW part of the US. They would've seen a bit of freezing weather each winter.
Yet other boards, are stored like this (not mine) and they don't have mast-tracks falling out.

Has anybody even heard of this?
Is there anything that could be done about it?

Thanks, Greg -

Hi,

Additional info -
1 - It's not just the mast-track carriage or car, that came out. It was the whole "mast-track unit" that came out of two Prodigy's.

2 - And besides being stored outside for maybe up to 10 years, with probably a little freezing weather each winter (which I mentioned originally)... These boards have been sailed in primarily salt-water. And I don't think they were ever rinsed very much with fresh-water, So, it's possible that corrosion of the aluminum is a contributing factor.
I have not seen the two boards yet... and I think both mast-tracks are at the bottom of the bay. So I can not see if the alum. broke (maybe due to corrosion)... or if the screws all, just pulled out of the board.

Anyway... still wondering if there is a BIG problem with Prodigy mast-tracks. Most windsurfers in the world are sailed in salt-water... and this should not be a big problem concerning reliability ar safety.
Or - Does everybody that sails in salt-water, almost always rinse their boards and mast-tracks

There are certainly MANY windsurf boards from the 80's and 90's all around the world, with mast-tracks (including lots of Mistrals) that have been sailed in salt-water. And still, their mast-tracks are fine. So what's going on with Prodigy's that are much newer ??

Thanks, Greg

Hi Greg
I used to own a Prodigy and thankfully I never had a mast track coming out. But other than that the board is a bit of a let-down, mostly due to its hybrid nature. It has all the drawbacks of the formula and raceboard without the benefits of each class. The only wether it was fun was 8-15 knots. Above and below that limit you are way better off on a raceboard. So I reclaimed my one-design and never regretted it. But you said he has a strorage problem so...hard luck!
Anyway, in case he hasn't bought it yet he could also consider the new starboard hybrid which also looks cool
Cheers!