for a monotype class Phantom 320

[ZedZdeD]

this board has a specific potential :
- accessibility for beginners, performance for specialists
- wide wind range, notably very pleasant in light wind,
- affordable and durable in tufskin version,

it can be a large success if you make a monotype class out of it, with a few additional elements :

- for once, do it together, not alone. Share this design with other windsurf companies, everybody would have the right to build and sell it under its own brand, none would have the right to modify it. You will this way have critical mass for success. Also share with others the organization of regattas for promotional purposes.

- define a versatile monotype rig. Nothing excessive or ridiculous like formula one ton 12 cambers 12 sqm rigs. No. Back to performance in simplicity, no camber, reasonable size and weight for accessibility and versatility, from beginner to specialist (example North Duke 69).

- design must remain stable for a longtime. Only 5 guys will buy sth you have to change every year, for a fortune, to remain competitive. I saw a formula regatta on my lake recently, 10 participants ... brilliant.

I'm convinced this would be an opportunity to recover windsurf as a larger audience sport. Other current compromises, not sufficiently well thought, and done separately by one company, cant do (rsx horrible, kona one mediocre, bic 293 not versatile enough, formula ridiculous).

[Del Carpenter]

I'm unable to think of any situation in which the idea of "Share this design with other windsurf companies.." would work. Why would other companies want to appear to acknowledge the superiority of a Starboard design? That is what they would be doing by manufacturing and selling Starboard's design under their own brand. That would undermine any claims for superiority for any of their other boards. Could they do that and expect to stay in business?

[ZedZdeD]

if easier, they could design a new board together rather than adopting an existing design, Phantom 320 is only an illustration of what a meaningful compromise could be

the important thing is to do it together to have the critical mass for a broad success

anyway I dont think they are interested, they dont see the need and opportunity to reconcile competition and larger audience, so the sport loses audience, and competition too

they would rather propose their fat nonsense formulas with their one ton 12 sqm rigs for next olympics

another round with boards who interest nobody and are bought by nobody except the ten guys who use them for these competitions without liking sailing on them

innovation they are so good at is not only a matter of board design

[Papounet]

Originally Posted by ZedZdeD

if easier, they could design a new board together rather than adopting an existing design, Phantom 320 is only an illustration of what a meaningful compromise could be

To late.....
The One Design board is racing in a lot of countries
- versatile monotype rig
- design stable for a longtime
- critical mass for success

http://www.lbwindsurfing.com/kona/th...-all/#more-419

Ok with a mast rail and upwind straps it will be better.

For the 320, too short, you need a long board for the program.

[Papounet]

Look at this, just from last WE :

http://www.sailing.org/news/30280.php

Starting with the Equipment Committee recommendations, the Council approved the applications of the RS Tera for International Class status and the Laser Vago, RS500, RC44 and Kona for Recognised Class status, subject to them signing the ISAF Class agreement.

[ZedZdeD]

yes, you're right, Kona One is the same kind of approach,
all good ideas are there, but, and that is just a personal opinion, I'm not too convinced by the board design (not top performance) and also the sail design (too large if idea is to reconcile competition and larger audience). I dont want to use a 9.5 rig, and mmost surfers I know also dont want to use what they see as excessive.
Kona One design is inspired by surf longboards, therefore probably provides good performance as a windsurf but not too outstanding
Starboard approach was to think of a raceboard and make it shorter, and believe me, I have one, 320 with 230 liters is a perfect compromise, it does not need to be longer, and really it provides superb sensations of a performance board, interesting and technical to sail from 1 wind knot to strong winds. Notably, sailing upwind blocked on the rail is great, reminds me of 25 years old Lechner memories. I would simply like it to be lighter, but then it would be out of program due to cost

[Papounet]

Originally Posted by ZedZdeD

I dont want to use a 9.5 rig, and mmost surfers I know also dont want to use what they see as excessive.

Think to the 90+ Kg guys (-:

Originally Posted by ZedZdeD

Starboard approach was to think of a raceboard and make it shorter, and believe me, I have one, 320 with 230 liters is a perfect compromise, it does not need to be longer

Think to the guys who lived far from windy places. (-:

[ZedZdeD]

I live in in Paris, sail most often in Lavacourt lake, not very windy situation

the board is perfect fun even in very slight winds, thats why I bought it reminds me of my old Lechner, and remains pleasant in planning conditions, even jibes incredibly narrow. It is interesting notably because it is very technical easy to sail, difficult to sail to its potential

concerning big sails, yes they may be useful for heavy surfers, but in the perspective of a monotype class, with the idea to reconcile competition and large audience practise, you have to elect a reasonable size rig. I teszted North 6.9 Duke and North 7.8 RAM F9 on the board, both are fine, 7.8 is better adapted though, larger sails in my opinion result in a loss of versatility and manoeuvrability

[BelSkorpio]

ZedZdeD,

May I ask your weight ?

[ZedZdeD]

sure, 76 kilos

230 liters proves well enough for such weight

previously I had tried to buy a longboard which was a Bic Jungle, 330 and 175 liters, it was already possible to sail with two persons on it, me and my girlfriend

with 230 liters, it is far beyond the need of flotability of one person. Intuitively one could expect a 320 board to be too short for light wind, but it is really not the case with the volume and general design principle (short raceboard) of this one

really the opportunity to rediscover the pleasure to sail in light or medium winds