Design and construction of a longboard windsurfer
November 26, 2008
Recently the LBWS team was alerted to an impressive project on building a raceboard. Malcolm works as a researcher in aerodynamics and has a background in mechanical engineering. As you could imagine he has an avid interest in the hydro and aerodynamics of windsurfers. Malcolm says, “theory can only get you so far in the end you have to do the experiments or proto-testing to improve designs”. Below is the outcome of Malcolm’s experiment into building a Raceboard, it’s an impressive read.
Design and construction of a longboard windsurfer by Malcolm Jones
For a while I’d being toying with the idea of building a board to replace my ageing longboard which was taking on water. I’d started repairing my old board when I decided I’d be better off starting with a fresh slate.
Phantoms Recalled
October 14, 2008
Starboard announced today that they are recalling all Phantoms with a serial number above 40. See the comments from there designer, Tiesda which appeared on the Starboard forum today.
To owners of the Phantom Race 380 serial numbers #040 and above,
Our manufacturer has advised us that a number of boards have been produced without the specified layer of PVC reinforcement around the critical area in the daggerboard box. This may result in cracks and water intake. We feel that it is the correct action for the World’s number one Windsurfing board brand to make a full recall on this model, to be replaced with the new 2009 version of the Phantom Race 380, scheduled for release this coming spring.
On a positive note, this new 2009 Phantom Race 380 shape has been tested to be quite a bit faster both upwind and on the reach compared to current, World Champion, Phantom 380 of 2007/2008. Racers will get even better kit, and Starboard will thus bring into the market a board that otherwise would not have seen the race scene before 2010.
We apologize for all the incident and we hope that by offering to replace the board with the new and faster model in spring, we would continue to keep all Starboard raceboarders happy and ahead of the game.
For those of you who are not currently on the Starboard Phantom Race 380 and considering to purchase one, production has been discontinued of the current model and the new 2009 model is available from Spring onwards.
Tiesda, on behalf of team Starboard
LBWS has asked Tiesda a few questions about the recall and the design of the new board. As soon as we hear anything further we will let you know.
Phantom Review – Part 2
October 7, 2008
This short “Part 2” article follows my previous review of the Starboard Phantom titled “Phantom Early Thoughts”. Since writing this article, I have had further opportunities to use the board in light, moderate and big breezes and have grown more comfortable with the board and its capabilities. I have also made some modifications to the gaskets to get them working.
In my previous article my only concern was that the centreboard gaskets where too tight and required that I stop sailing to adjust the centreboard. In response to this I have undertaken two things which now mean that the centreboard now works relatively well.
Phantom - Early Thoughts
September 19, 2008
Regular readers of LBWS would have seen that the first shipment of Starboard Exocet Phantom 380 to Australia in the middle of our winter. As a consequence there has only been limited sailing of these new boards in typical Sydney Winter conditions (read light winds). While the board generally performed well I have been reluctant to put pen to paper to write a review of the board given the limited sailing that I and the other new Phantom owners in Australia have had on this new Raceboard.
Grassroots Longboard Event
September 1, 2008
When can an event be fun for all? I was alerted to a video on the Kona website which demonstrated how far longboards and Kona has come since the return on the longboard. The Kona has without a doubt restored to windsurfing a spirit which was really only a memory a few years ago. In July in the northern hemisphere summer season the 18th Aber Wind Cup 2008 was held. While I did not go to the event I saw a link to some great
Equipe III development
August 11, 2008
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
Mistral back in the longboard game
August 4, 2008
Mistral have finally joined the longboard revival by releasing 2 new longboards, the Ventura and the Equipe III, which will stand alongside the aging One Design (IMCO) in their quiver.
The Ventura looks like an all round freeride longboard that could be an alternative to the Exocet Kona as a rec. board. The Mistral website suggests the Ventura to be good for cruising, beginners and even advanced sailors using large freeride sails. The board specs out with 255 litres volume, 343 cm in length and 72 cm wide. [Read more]
Mahalo Pluses and Minuses
July 22, 2008
We got one of the first Mahalo’s in the US and after using it a season would like to comment on it. We’ve been using that Mahalo as a big boys (read fat mans) (sometimes racing) board, general all around beach toy and standup paddle board for the family. For reference I am 118kg and a local B Fleet quality sailor/racer, my primary sail is a 10.5 Sailworks Retro, I weigh 265 lbs. and over the years have owned and sailed several of the earlier generation WC Race Boards and have sailed the *board Serenity.