Mistral Edge vs New Boards

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Created by

RE57 > 9 months ago, 16 Sep 2019

RE57

8 posts

16 Sep 2019 2:47am

I am getting back into Windsurfing after 20 years. Was out on my old Edge (92l, 54cmx258cm) in 20-25 knots with a similar era race sail 5.9
Very comfortable and able to blast around and have a great time. Able to plane out of some of the gybes.
My question is am I missing out on something by not having a more up to date board? I notice ALL the new boards of similar volume are FAT and stubby. Does anyone have experience with the new boards around 95 l ? Are they faster? Easier to control? better or worse in chop? what are the big advantages to the new stuff. I can't imagine anything working better than what I have now

thanks

LeeD

3939 posts

16 Sep 2019 3:40am

Edge has narrow tail, nothing like it for high wind blasting powered up.
New is wider, better bottom end and easier to plane out of jibes..not better for 25+ winds.
For rough water, new slower boards are more controllable and jibe easier.
Flat water, only new 80 liter speed/slalom are comparable, they are faster and more fragile, and more hi strung.
But if you want wave performance along with high wind fun, new totally superseded Edge, but you'd have to drop 5-10 liters for the same wind range.

RE57

8 posts

16 Sep 2019 4:01am

Thanks, that's helpful.
So given I dont need wave performance and I dont want to go slower and I have few issues with controllability or jibing, it sounds like I should keep this board or replace with an old school similar design rather than a slower new board.

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

16 Sep 2019 7:50am

If you enjoy the edge no need to change til you have to, if you want to change to newer imo better to change 10-15 kt wind boards first. Some of the older boards were really good in chop, being slightly heavier & longer rockers. Not so much with the edge from memory but some of the older boards were quite rail trip happy, most of the newer designs seem pretty sorted with that now.

Wide isn't slower unless you have a really good flatwater speed spot. In general the narrower design MIGHT have high peak speeds but the newer designs carry a high average speed.

You need to consider your rig, if your current rig suits the edge then it wont really suit new board plus there will be some slight stance changes, longer harness lines etc

Might be age or nostalgia but im starting to appreciate the whole retro thing & like seeing old boards/sails on the water.

LeeD

3939 posts

16 Sep 2019 11:00am

I have JP FSW 84, Tabou 3S 86, Rogue Wave 80, and like my JP Freestyle 94...2001..and Naish Freeride 8'6" ..2000, just as much.
Oh, and Carve 90, JP Pro Slalom 84.

Ben 555

NSW

456 posts

16 Sep 2019 5:27pm

Usually its a question of weight

20 years means its going to take more wind to get planning on the same kit

ka43

NSW

3097 posts

16 Sep 2019 5:50pm

Leed, why do you have 7 boards all within 14 liters of each other??

Imax1

QLD

4926 posts

16 Sep 2019 6:49pm

Select to expand quote

ka43 said..
Leed, why do you have 7 boards all within 14 liters of each other??

Because he can

LeeD

3939 posts

17 Sep 2019 12:10am

The old boards of the same volume allow you to plane just as early, but you have to wait a bit longer before moving aft to the straps.
That means you're sailing on a smaller board when in the straps, allowing stronger turns and more control in high winds. Not great for light winds.
Great for high winds and have some volume to get back if the wind dies to a breeze.

RE57

8 posts

17 Sep 2019 3:33am

So maybe on the 20-30 knot days, the old school shapes could be best for blasting in the chop? While the newer shapes are best for light wind and early planing. I really need to demo a new board....

LeeD

3939 posts

17 Sep 2019 4:06am

Depends if blasting fast and high jumps is more important than making more jibes and the world of forwards and backs, vulcan,spock, and flakas.

Spin tricks need mast base back and short wide shapes.
Old school ducks, jumpjibes, heli's, boomarangs, shoots can be done on longer, narrower boards.
Then...the lost art of the planing HIGH wind jibes...old school.

LeeD

3939 posts

17 Sep 2019 4:07am

Shoots...shove it's

RE57

8 posts

17 Sep 2019 5:34am

"Is board wind range wider, or just shifted towards the lighter end by their earlier planing? After all, higher winds = bigger chop = rougher ride with wider boards, shorter length = less directional stability at speed on rough water, shorter waterline = decreased pointing ability, and wider = lower top end speed."

Found this on a windsurf forum from several years ago. Makes sense to me.

Gestalt

QLD

14722 posts

17 Sep 2019 7:39am

personally i cant see any advantage in old school shapes. the extra length is a problem in the air and over chop. the narrow volume distribution is slow to plane, reduces the boards light wind ability and the tiny tail hurts the exit of gybes and limits fin choice.

Gestalt

QLD

14722 posts

17 Sep 2019 7:42am

if you compare older speed board design with newer speed board design you will notice they are wider and faster and shorter amd faster.

long boards can suffer from nose lift and narrow tailed boards can suffer from instability at speed. especially when there is tail v.

Gestalt

QLD

14722 posts

17 Sep 2019 7:44am

Select to expand quote

RE57 said..
"Is board wind range wider, or just shifted towards the lighter end by their earlier planing? After all, higher winds = bigger chop = rougher ride with wider boards, shorter length = less directional stability at speed on rough water, shorter waterline = decreased pointing ability, and wider = lower top end speed."

Found this on a windsurf forum from several years ago. Makes sense to me.

my current board i use from 12-35 knots.that is not possible with old school design. i tried for years.

in the transition from old to new we started cutting the nose off oldr boards to improve control.

then around 2000 boards got wider as formula windsurfing took off. from there it's been an evolution in volume distribution.

RE57

8 posts

17 Sep 2019 5:58am

Can someone recommend a newer board that will be very fast and reasonably stable in 20-25knots and handle the chop well? Prefer 90 plus liters.

Gestalt

QLD

14722 posts

17 Sep 2019 8:05am

any modern freeride/freerace/fsw board from the last 3 years.

try a demo

vailiyat

2 posts

17 Sep 2019 7:20am

Select to expand quote

LeeD said..
I have JP FSW 84, Tabou 3S 86, Rogue Wave 80, and like my JP Freestyle 94...2001..and Naish Freeride 8'6" ..2000, just as much.
Oh, and Carve 90, JP Pro Slalom 84.

I missing out on something by not having a more up to date board? I notice ALL the new boards of similar volume are FAT and stubby. Does anyone have experience with the new boards around 95 l ? Are they faster? Easier to control? better or worse in chop? what are the big advantages to the new stuff.

LeeD

3939 posts

17 Sep 2019 7:42am

Have a '16 RRD Firewave 92. Great for 14-21 mph wind.
90 liter Carve is faster, stiffer, easier to uphaul, jibes easier at speed, loses speed underpowered.
Rode the 2000 Naish 8'6" Freeide today in 15-21mph breeze with 5.2.
Fast, planing jibes 80%, jumps high, instant acceleration.

KA360

NSW

803 posts

17 Sep 2019 10:31am

Select to expand quote

RE57 said..
Can someone recommend a newer board that will be very fast and reasonably stable in 20-25knots and handle the chop well? Prefer 90 plus liters.

SEVERNE FOX

fangman

1906 posts

17 Sep 2019 8:52am

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RE57 said..
Can someone recommend a newer board that will be very fast and reasonably stable in 20-25knots and handle the chop well? Prefer 90 plus liters.

Neil Scheltema @ Windtech has drawn out the rocker lines in slightly longer than the norm boards. The ATT makes the Silver Bullets very comfortable in chop and are quick - 42 knots on the SB57!

~~https://www.windtechwindsurf.com/speed-freeride~~

www.facebook.com/windtechwindsurf/

PS. I still have my Missy Edge and it is still my fastest board. I would ride it more, but somehow the 'volume' around my guts has increased too much.

RE57

8 posts

17 Sep 2019 9:48am

Thanks Fangman, those Silver Bullets look awesome

fangman

1906 posts

17 Sep 2019 10:01am

Select to expand quote

RE57 said..
Thanks Fangman, those Silver Bullets look awesome

I have the SB64 so obviously I am biased. BTW the tail flex plate really does make a difference

Neil is finishing a prototype Old School Grand Tourer type board atm. 285 long , about 130 litres and I think approx 60cm wide. The pics are on the FaceAche page. I am frothin' to have a play on that board!