Equipe III development
August 11, 2008 · Print This Article
LBWS have just had word from Nik Baker, Mistral’s Product Manager, on the progress of the two new longboards set to feature in Mistral’s 2009 range. Nik took the helm of Mistral’s product direction in 2007 and has been working with shaper Mark Nelson to inject new energy into the board line up. Nik informs us that both the Ventura and the Equipe III have been high on Mistral’s priority list for some time. The Ventura testing phase is complete and is being built at the Cobra factory right now and the new Equipe III is still in its development stage.
“With the Equipe III, we want to produce the best board possible and are under intensive testing with our proto type board against the competition currently out there. We have been testing it against the F2 race 380, the Fanatic cat, our One Design and the Panam/Equipe II”, says Nik.
I would be surprised if the prototype didn’t see some action against the Warp-X and Phantom as well, especially if testing is happening with the raceboard mob in the UK.
This slick looking new board has been solely designed by Mark Nelson on his new 3D CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine, which is capable of digitising any board. This technology makes it possible to analyse in depth the way any board works, which is an advantage when creating a new board.
The Equipe III’s design philosophy has largely come from the One Design and past Equipe’s but with the volume and size that is needed to carry a 9.5 sail and a 95kg sailor in 5 knots of wind. The testing phase also includes a various array of dagger board designs, which have been designed by Kai Hopf in Maui using variety of flex’s and materials in the construction.
Nik expresses his regret that the Equipe III will not make the worlds as it not ready yet, however Mistral are looking at a launch around March 2009 in time for the Northern Hemisphere racing season.
The Mistral website is www.mistral.com
Photos are courtesy Nik Baker @ Mistral
Hey,
That looks good!!!! Now I am definitely excited. I look forward to having a go on one.
Pat
The board does looks very similar to the Panam which is very fast and my favourite board. I think this board with more volume will be killer. I love the use of the new imaging technology and ‘the competition’ Mistral and this board will bring to the Raceboard arena.
Nice.
Seriously nice piece of kit!!
This is going to be very interesting to see how they evolve. I also agree they are pulling from proven designs of the past. I took the outline of my current raceboard (a 1998 Fanatic X-Class Cat 380) and overlaid the outline onto the Equip III image. Guess what…they are nearly 100% identical. The Equip III seems a little wider from about the middle of the centerboard well to the back of the fin box. My estimate is it’s about 3-5mm wider through that area. Similarly, the outline in the bow area is also a slight bit wider but only the first 20cm or so, then the outlines are a perfect match. I can’t wait to get side profiles to check the rocker line and volume distribution.
I then looked at the placement of the track and general layout of centerboard, straps, etc. I too thought it seemed farther back. When I compared to the Fanatic, it clearly is, but the layout matches that of the MOD as far as track and centerboard placement. The farthest back strap is halfway between the MOD back strap and mid strap. The front foot reaching is also compromise to the two sets of the MOD. The forward upwind strap is in the same place as MOD. So the geometry layout looks spot on. I always felt my MOD back strap was a hair to far back and I never used the mid straps (in fact I never mounted them, they were in a bad place). I am thrilled to see a real beating strap set-up for the back up-wind strap. It’s exactly what you do on the MOD, stan the gap between the mounts with a single strap…perfect! I have an image of what I did to share, if I can figure out where to post it.
I am sych’d this is great stuff!!!!
It’s very frustrating it’s not available now!!!! I want one.
I wan’t one too!!
Please……..Can someone tell my wife I need one!!!
(How good is it to see the revival of the longboard)
Grasshopper – I can help. Let me know what you want me to tell your wife and I’ll send the message….as long as you agree to return the favor for me : ) I need one too !!!!
Hey, maybe would could tell our wife’s that we are getting a GREAT DEAL through a Group Purchase…and if I don’t get in on the deal it will cost more! If your wife is like mine…she never passes up a good deal !!
Maybe we all could tell our wifes that NicBaker was going to look after the members of LBWS with a really really good promotional, get the product on the water price.
A few boards on the water around the world at a reduced price would drive sales through the roof when the general population get to see the product.
good marketing ratio 169 boards (LBWS subscribers) : 6.684 billion people coverage
Nic should think about the concept.
(mmmm, should I have written that)
Teak-Boy, If the above fails I will talk to your wife.
While it is great to see a new Mistral Equip, it would be good if North Sails who I believe are owned by the same company as Mistral could produce a Raceboard sail to go with the board.
There is no doubt that the Warp that Nik Barker is using in the photos is a nice sail for Slalom or formula. However, it is just not a raceboard sail. It looks as though it is too flat and has a leach that is too loose and open. Perhaps like Starboard Mistral will also produce a 9.5m2 sail?
Pat
That was the best news in years!!!. I am still sailing in my old mistral equipe II CHS and I have a F2 LIGHTING . Congratulations Mistral. Give one right now!!!! That will be my board for 15 years more. I set a neilpryde RSX again down wind & upwind
I want one!!
I have a Mistral Equipe II and it is the best board I own and the most used. I am from UK but I live in the USA near Chicago. I race in the Midwest and the Equipes normally win!
I also need to convince my wife!! My plan is that; State tax helps the schools and Federal Tax helps the defense budget therefore, I am helping the children ( I have a 2 year old) and fighting terrorism!!
I will now look for dealers!!
Cheers,
Colin
US 070
I wonder what it is made out of…carbon fiber and E glass… or S glass… or all S glass…
Don
It is out of regulations with 3,83 mtrs?????
I think the board´s lenght will change in the future to fit in rules, if board performs well.
Some news, found on Mistral web site (”inside”)
NEW EQUIPE!
Nik has been testing the new Equipe III.
10.09.2008
I have been testing the new Equipe III for some time now in varied conditions from 3-25 knots. I have managed to test with sailors on many different boards ranging from the old Fanatic cat, F2 380, mistral Equipe II and the new starboard phantom 380.
So far i am very happy with our performance, in fact we are far better than I thought we would be with the first prototype.
We have some great new ideas which we have learnt from this board.
I have ordered 2 new prototypes which will be with me in early october so we will carry on developing the board as well as many different styles and of dagger boards and fins to get the right balance.
It is certainly a fun thing to do sailing in 4-8 knots on 9.5 sails sitting on the rail racing upwind when all other wind powered crafts except boats are sitting on the beach. It really has brought back memories on my early days of racing.
I think it is a bit of a shame there are not more long board racing events as i think it is a great way to improve your board skills and it gives a completely different aspect to windsurfing that we seem to have lost a bit these last few years.
Cheers, Nik
Mistral told me last week, that the first Equipe III will arrive in Europe end of May. These days they are calculating the price.
The Mistral Equipe III is now registered, you can download the complete list of registered raceboards from here http://www.sailing.org/11675.php