ADJUSTABLE HARNESS LINES - YOUR OPTIONS

Adjustable Harness lines - Here is a brief overview of the different options you have if you need adjustable harness lines.

Chinhook, Dakine, Advance Technology, and Tunafish are some of the companies that make adjustable harness lines suitable for raceboard windsurfing.

ON THE ROAD TO PERFECTION - PATRIK POLLÁK WRITING

Patrik Pollák shares his knowledge in the first of several articles - Big Thanks.

"In the next few articles I would like to give some advice to all of you who want to improve your sailing on longboards. 

It’s all about balance; and I do not mean only your balance on the board.

1. TRIM - One of the things I like about sports in general is that people who know how to do it look unbelievable effortless doing things some other can only dream of.

Many years ago when I was maybe not a beginner anymore, but most definitely not an expert, I remember sitting on my raceboard (mistral OD at that time) in the sea in Sopot recovering from another crash. I just lost another episode in my „fight against nature“. I was trying to catch my breath to get the sail one more time out from water and sail back to the beach to finish the day as a loser. Just as my vision stopped to be blurry, there was a 50 kg, tiny blond Polish chick sailing around with big smile on her face. Like it was not blowing 7B and there were no waves. First I thought it was some kind of hallucination because it was not possible. But damn; it wasn’t. My physical exhaustion turned into general depression very fast. My first though was: Ok; it is time to start playing chess or do bowling. Then the second one: That is a stupid idea because I will probably suck in those sports as well.

MISTRAL - MISTRAL ONE DESIGN - RACEBOARD

"The Mistral One design has been one of the most successful one-design classes in recent history. Today the class remains strong and represents the best option for sailing in 0-30 knots with one board, one sail and one rig - Anders Bringdal.

For sailors in the 45-80kg range the Mistral One Design represents the best option for anybody that likes tight racing with an excellent performance in all type of conditions and remains pretty much the only one-design class that will perform in 0-30 knots of wind.

The board - The length of the board makes for an excellent platform in light wind and the same length means that the board in planing conditions is not going to bounce out of control making it possible to sail in the higher winds with the same sail and rig.

The board design by definition of its one-design status has not been changed. 3 concave in the nose running into a single V in the tail.

AEROTECH SAILS - DAGGER 9.5, 8.5 AND 7.5 - 2011 RACEBOARD SAILS

"Concept: Longboard racing  - The Dagger is Aerotech’s longboard racing sail. For 2011, this model has remained unchanged and is built of 100% grid construction.

With longboards making a huge comeback into the market, Aerotech has just the motor that these boards need.

This sail features afull powerful shape with firm leech tension. Moderate sleeve width and camber inducers give it maximum range and speed.

Construction: Other features include; roller bearing camber inducers, a thermo-formed base pad, a new raised stainless steel 6-1 pulley with oversized rollers, and an interactive rigging guide."

DEMON SAILS - VG7 9.5 - 2011 RACEBOARD SAIL

"VG7 -THE FUTURE - The VG7 is an all new Raceboard sail from the raceboard specialists at Demon Design. It was unveiled in the middle of 2010 and used in conjunction with a VG5 by Mark Kay to dominate the racing, winning both the 2010 UK CUP SERIES and the 2010 UK INLAND SERIES of events.

Mark is a very good sailor but in winning these series the performance of the VG7 shines through. Mark is a heavy weight and was regularly competing with and beating sailors 15kg lighter than himself. This should not be underestimated.

Interestingly, as well as its light wind performance, Mark reckoned it the best strong wind 9.5 he had ever used as well.. not bad for the prototype. Currently the design is being finalised in the 9.5 class size and it will then be followed by an 8.5 and 7.5 version.

Compared to the VG5 it is taller and the upper leach is designed to be held more closed and fuller by the distinctive aramid band emanating from the tack and progressing to the upper leach. In its current form it is about 400 gramms heavier than a standard VG5- expect this to come down in the near future. It is built in a mix of Aramid, Pentex and Polyester laminates from Bainbridge and Dimension Polyant."

Recomende mast for the 9.5 m2 is a Tushingham Ultimate Pro 550 cm. - bend curve number 17 (Flex top)
TO GO TO DEMON SAILS CLICK HERE

FINS - THE QUEST IS YOURS

What is the optimum allround fin for a raceboard, it's not easy to answer. It would be optimal to have only one sail and one finn that work plus 90% of max. in all conditions. Since we always have centerboard down going upwind is the fines ability to sail upwind not so important, or is it ?.

The two largest manufacturers of dedicated raceboards - Starboard and Exocet, have respectively chosen the Drake R19 NR Race 48 cm and the Exocet race 52 cm as a good all-around fine on their Starboard Phantom 380 and Exocet Elite 380.

A guess on the characteristics of a good allround raceboard fin could bee following;

- Vertical or near vertical, to keep the lateral center as fare forward as possible

- Narrow core - reducing drag and for not pulling lateral center back

- Thin profile - minimize resistance

- Good downwind capabilities

- Good to keep planing

- Easy to use

We have collected data from the internet on a lot of 48 cm fins so you can start your quest for the right one.

SLIM SAILS - MARATHON SL 9.5, 8.5, 7.5 - 2011 RACEBOARD SAILS

"Marathon SL - a camber, very light sail for competitors and enthusiastic riders of longboards with a center board.

The profil of the sails is made in the whole area of the sails so that they are suitable in the weak wind, too. 

A new wide mast sleeve gives higher power to a sail and makes easier putting a mast into it during trimming. New concave cutting off the leech and foot prevents from its twisting.

Six carbon battens give the sails stability, little weight and great power in the light and middle wind conditions.

Recomended mast for the sails is Technofiber CC 490/29 IMCS (constant curve) plus steady mast extension 45 cm or 35 cm for the 9.5 m2 and 8.5 m2 sails. You can also use a 520/32 IMCS mast."