Hi,
I'm a total noob here. I have a "Never been used" Obrien freesail 1. I may be missing parts. I"m not sure how to put this together. Does anyone have any schematics or know how?

Hey..so i'm hoping i get an email to let me know someone replied.....i'll leave this page open for a while tonight while i TANK!

Hello, Marc,

It might be better to post this in the US Forum www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=7f5907b574c49faba42f1cb0a04b1e58 and somebody near you might be able to assist.

My only advice is to replace the boom with something more modern that can be fitted to the mast in seconds, not minutes, as with the original boom.

Hope this helps.

For 1, your boom (Black and Silver oval thing) is around the wrong way.
the left end in the photo should attach to the mast in the cut out of the sail.
But like WindmanV said, get your self a newer (+2004-ish) sail and boom ($100 for combo). This will be much easier to use.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Help-Rigging-a-Boom/

Hi Marc...
looks like it rigs similar to a One Design...
i found a copy of the manual for a One Design here.....terrenceberres.com/Windsurfer.pdf

the trick is get the boom tight on the mast..Be careful though...the mast looks a bit old so if you go too tight with the tension, it may snap where the rope meets the surface of the mast...
good luck and welcome to the addiction!

hope you've got the daggerboard (retractable central fin) that goes with it :-)

whoa, that seems to be in really good condition for such an old bit of gear. Guessing it was new around 1982 ?

This is such in good condition that it should never touch the water. It should go in a museum!
Those pics are like a time travel...

ok... for starters the first time you use that puppie, the universal joint will snap(they dry out over decades) as will the footstraps.
the other gear is cool but needs someone from the tie on boom era to teach you how to rig it with photos and drawings as you are in another country just cut the fecker in half and send it to landfill! lol

Here are some links on how to use a "tie on boom"

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Help-Rigging-a-Boom-2/

www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=60009

It's a bit more complicated then just clipping a boom on (new models). You have to tie it and then rotate the boom through/around the mast to tension it. The mast goes INSIDE the boom. I've seen it done, once. Never mind, I don't think this particular model requires that.

It looks like you're missing the rope for the "tie on boom head", the clew/outhaul and the downhaul. Without the rope you won't be able to rig any of this.

The board is fine for a beginner. Don't worry about the straps, you wont need them at first and they'll just get in the way. Bend the U-joint (the rubber piece) each and every direction and check if you see any cracks in the rubber. If you do, replace it. Centerboard/daggerboard would be a plus. If you're missing it, learning to go upwind will be harder in light winds.

LOL! THanks everyone.....good point on the drying out of the universal and straps. It has never been used since 1st bought in 1980 something. I have all the ropes, and centerboard / and skeg.


So! ... (being a NY'er we yell at first ), U called it on the foot straps...so i';m guessing the universal is going to **** the bed on me as well...but I"m goin out there!
I'm taking an old belt,cutting it to fit each strap, sliding it thru the foot straps and screwing that in for this week. I tied up the boom to the mast...that's all good there...so i may be heading out on the water to make an ass out of myself soon...stay tuned baby@!

I am a little freaked out about using it since maybe the thing should never hit water? Do u guys think i should just pack it back up and hold on to it?

Thanks again u guys....Keep on Rockin! I"ll send a pic of finished rig and my open wounds later

If you can rig everything correctly, definitely take it out and try to sail it! There's no point in letting it rot. :) You just might get hooked; then it's just a downward spiral of throwing $ at it.

Make sure you have an uphaul rope!


It's how you'll raise the sail out of the water when you get on the board to start. Watch some beginner videos on youtube if you've never seen how to windsurf. Or get the Beginner to Winner DVD, it's pretty good for starting by yourself. Read up on some basics of wind and how sailing works if you don't know.

I've seen a few people sail with similar old gear and having lots of fun. These Aussies think they're the bees knees with their fancy wind and waves. Down here (relative to you) in Florida's armpit, we have none of that but still love to sail! :)

As mentioned before, try the wx.iwindsurf.com:443/ forums. They're USA based and you could find local NY windsurfers who could help you out.

Please get someone to take a Video. This is going to be funny.

Select to expand quote

Yuppy said..
Please get someone to take a Video. This is going to be funny.

ok u guys...here goes nuthin!

ok u guys..goin for my 4th attempt soon....nice stiff offshore breeze...should be calm today...yesterday was rough and fugedaboudit.
what a work out this is...love it!
oh...the entire beach watches me wallow around like a Manatee...pretty funny...kids took a lotta video....nuts.

Good on you! Don't give up!

keep at it mate.
that rig is super sweet. Totally old skool - which make it soooo new skool.
Flip it, turn up the heat and rip it bru.