The new Windsurfer LT is awesome!! Peter Nitschke and I got them to the water yesterday. We had about 15 knots, maybe a little more at times. By the end of the day we were both saying "That's the most fun we have ever had on a long board". It's everything Wally sailors love about One Design racing, but with all the things we'd like to change. Pete's extremely light, and I'm 100 kg's. We both sailed in close proximity of each other and it seem's to me that there's less between us on these. In the stronger wind he said he could only just keep up. He's still got the advantage in lighter wind, but not by that much anymore. We were so comfortable on them. It's my opinion that these will make One Design racing more fun and more accessible to anyone. I've always loved the Wally, but this has added even more to windsurfing for me. Congrats to the team that made this happen. Pete say's he's taking the old one out of the van. That's a big statement.

If anyone is curious like I was..
windsurferclass.wordpress.com/

Awesome dag. Its great when new toys live up to expectations. Any chance you could post pics of the fin, centreboard and mast track. Thanks for the report. Nev

KA360, is that you on a 11'6 BIC?

I sail one of those with DAG when the wind gets light so I'll give you a report on the differences, I rate mine very highly they're an excellent fun board.

Wow, looks interesting.
I'm assuming it is to generally raise the weight range...

If your wally's rocking don't come knocking.

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nev said..
Awesome dag. Its great when new toys live up to expectations. Any chance you could post pics of the fin, centreboard and mast track. Thanks for the report. Nev

Mate, I'm always guilty of being too passionate, or too exited about anything to do with Windsurfing, especially when we get a "New Toy " that makes a really big difference (even a new fin that changes thing's a bit). I'll post some picture's when I get the time, but it won't mean much.
The real thing is how it is to sail. I'll add more particular detail as I figure out how to put it into word's.
nev: Way above expectations mate. For all you guy's counting sleeps - it's even better!!!
I could have been on my large Slalom board and big sail with everybody else, but I had too much fun.
Jethrow: I think the real objective is to take everything that is "Real One Design Sailing", and make it really fun, and accessible to anybody
ie: Juniors and Learner's who would never think of racing for fun. There's a lot of bad talk about the class out there due to the fact that the technique involved was not everyone's kettle of fish. It was an unorthodox posture/stance required to stop the board rounding-up into the wind. I still teach people on the One Design. If necessary, I have a BIC Beach to start the really big guy's and/or Gumby Bear's.
The one's who learn how to sail a One Design properly are the one's who progress further and faster.

On another note: I thought I'd mention all of this on a separate thread from the one with "That Goose".
What's his name???
Throw Down D1ck He*d!!!!!
Dare You!!!!

Did you notice the slight increase in volume and width ?

Dies the centrebiard come thru board like Protos?

Must be nice carrying to beach being lighter !!

Yes,
Yes,
and Hell Yes!!!
The volume and width make it go heaps better when your square running. It gives it a different water line length.
No nose dive's at all. In fact it felt so comfortable on every point of sail.
Awesome to windward, not quite as lively as the predecessor, but still very responsive with the smaller dolphin shaped fin that was decided on (not the same as the one on the proto's) that was a good call.
I'm doing a lesson today, so I'll be gybing and tacking in circle's in really light wind all day.
I'll post some pick's tonight.

Very interesting yesterday. Gave lesson's to a light weight lady who had maybe just "Elementary One" level of experience way back in the day.
We started on the simulator so everything was learnt before hitting the water.
As usual I recommended the One Design (old one) over the BIc Beach, because the better glide is the feeling that hooks people better from the start. She hit the water and was gone! After paddling for a bit with her, I had to rig up quickly to get out there with her.
I had her using the new 4.5m Trainer Sail which is going to be Class Legal for beginners and juniors.
We had perfect learning conditions at 6 - 8 knot's, and she was doing exactly the same speed as me on my new Wally LT & 6m.
Very happy after a long session it was time for her to go home, so I turned my attention back to my Daughter.
I took the Bic Beach off her because it makes her lazy giving her bad habit's walking all around it. Put her back on the Old Wally and immediately she said wow this go's quicker. She weigh's nothing and on a 3.6m sail again was doing close to the same speed as me, though the wind had died a little more.
This make's me curious to see how racing is going to go with a mixed fleet of new and old Wally's and light and heavyweight sailor's.
The Lake Cootharaba Comp is coming up on the 5th and 6th of May. Pete and I are going in it with the new Wally LT's.
It would be good to know how many other Wally sailors are coming?

Hey Dag, when we get a good light wind day we should back to back test your new LT with this 11'6 BIC of mine, we'll use a similar modern rig and same size sail or can just swap boards over so we keep the same rig.

I reckon they'll be very similar with the LT probably having the upper hand upwind slightly by being a bit more rigid than the bendy BIC. If the new LT was available when I bought this BIC windSUP I reckon I would have bought the LT instead, just because it would let me have an occasional onedesign race which I can't do on the windSUP, and still be the funnest thing ever on a nice light day.

Well mate I'll be sailing it as much as possible over the next few weeks.
It absolutely go's amazing upwind, probably better than a raceboard in light wind I'm hoping. Almost a hint of raceboard feel to her but still free as a bird. I'll be sticking to the 6m regatta sail, but put what you want on your's to campare.
They're not even close to the same thing. They're definately not a SUP.
I measured the draft/depth of old and new centerboard. I need to check again to make sure because it was in an arkward place, but I think it's got more.

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Dag said..
We had perfect learning conditions at 6 - 8 knot's, and she was doing exactly the same speed as me on my new Wally LT & 6m.

Looks like the old design with 4.5 is at least as good or better than the new (old) Wally LF+T & 6m then

Sure looks like a windSUP, it's a cracking good marketing plan to update/replace the one design and also take a slice off the windSUP market too. Is there an insert to block off the centreboard hole if you want to paddle it like the BIC has?

I think the insert idea was a proposal put forward. Don't know if it's happening, but who care's. I've bought a paddle and used it yesterday while teaching. Funny thing is I've never stand up paddled. Don't know why you'd need it other than for look's.
I can see SUP is now another way to get some fitness and core strength when there is no wind. (Bonus).
Again; this is not a SUP!!!! The guy's that combined years of experience that made this happen didn't say "Let's just build a SUP that we can put a sail on". Pretty sure that's been done before.

I guess this means that there will be many enormous piles of old plastic windsurfers going into landfill now?

The old will not be competitive against the new so one of the big plus points for the whole idea of 'One Design' just went out the window.

Or will this just create a new sub class in Wally racing??

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sailquik said..
I guess this means that there will be many enormous piles of old plastic windsurfers going into landfill now?

The old will not be competitive against the new so one of the big plus points for the whole idea of 'One Design' just went out the window.

Or will this just create a new sub class in Wally racing??

Yes, I really don't understand the point of this. The only advantage Windsurfer Class has over Bic Techno or Kona is the installed base.

Hey fellas , if you want one you better hurry up the shipment in June are sold. Next shipment is September limited number left !

I don't mind sailing my OD and it's great fun with a proper modern sail. BUT isn't this like racing old cars and pretending your representing the best that your sport can offer. .
There's no point for me to race on this board as a light weight will win and in stronger stuff I'll take a race board thanks

It's fantastic your still racing, well done happy for you
you will find light weights are always fast in most conditions, that's why we have weight divisions?

Not racing, just having fun

Looks like there taking off to me.
This is the latest from Greg @Windgenuity

Distribution:
Just an update as to the growing interest in the Windsurfer Class.

In Australia we have about 74 orders already and 20 new people ( some are old members coming back).

There looks like we will be getting new fleets in Tassie, Adelaide and Perth.

Edoardo is going gang busters in Europe, in addition to the already fleets all over Italy he has enquiries from Spain, France, Germany, Holland and England, running out of enough boards may become the issue.

Bruce Wylie is near to appointing an American distributor where I have been fielding many enquiries.

There are even enquiries from South Africa where there was a large fleet.


Availability:
We are getting 2-3 orders every day some have opted for September, and now only have 4 boards available in June.

We will have to order for September 1st delivery by April 16th.

So we are asking for orders along with a $50.00 deposit by April 13th to secure your special offer board and to help us to determine the demand.

You can opt for a June or September delivery. Email to me at wwindgen@bigpond.net.au for more details.

That's old September is nearly sold out
Japan is starting to order

Wow! That's happening fast! I'm toying with the idea of getting one for my daughter as well, because I'm wondering if supply is going to be an issue with these numbers. Long time to wait.

I don't think people understand how big this is !
its not just Australia it's going to be World Wide

I think the more people who give the new board a go will be so happy with it that demand will accelerate. It really is a special board! I understand the reluctance of die hard Wally racers but it is time to move on from a 1985 design. This board goes much better IMOH. I SOLD MY OD Years ago and started sailing a mistral superlight as it was so much better for me as a heavy weight. It was also significantly lighter' better design and faster.

the windsurfer class is the least expensive of all sailing classes and most sports in general. For $750 you can upgrade and have a modern board and a whole new set of experiences and fun.

Keep your old wallys for freestyle or nostalgia events!

LOL
THe people who are upset about this change don't Race wallys
WE ahave known about this move for a while, if they were so passionate about it they could have discussed it tWally nationals

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windsufering said..
I don't think people understand how big this is !
its not just Australia it's going to be World Wide

Is the updated hull approved by the IWA

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Dag said..
I think the insert idea was a proposal put forward. Don't know if it's happening, but who care's. I've bought a paddle and used it yesterday while teaching. Funny thing is I've never stand up paddled. Don't know why you'd need it other than for look's.
I can see SUP is now another way to get some fitness and core strength when there is no wind. (Bonus).
Again; this is not a SUP!!!! The guy's that combined years of experience that made this happen didn't say "Let's just build a SUP that we can put a sail on". Pretty sure that's been done before.

The manufacturer says it's a SUP,so it's a SUP!





And a windSUP for non-extreme conditions.

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kato said..
I don't mind sailing my OD and it's great fun with a proper modern sail. BUT isn't this like racing old cars and pretending your representing the best that your sport can offer. .
There's no point for me to race on this board as a light weight will win and in stronger stuff I'll take a race board thanks

Nope, it's more like racing Supercars instead of Formula One, or racing carts instead of cars. There are many, many bits of gear used in sporting competitions that are highly restricted.

As another comparison - a Tour de France road racing bicycle is highly restricted in design and goes 40kmh slower than an unrestricted racing bicycle, and about 10% slower than the fastest bikes allowed in the Tour. The bike I ride to work is probably actually faster than the one that was mostly used to win the Tour last year.

Similarly, a Laser dinghy is dramatically slower than a Moth foiler, but more people race the Laser and it is the Olympic class.

I don't know how heavy you are, but the top heavyweights normally finish about 4th or 5th out of 40 overall in One Design races. Normally the overall standings go something like lightweights 1,2, then it's pretty well mixed. For example, looking at overall results I can find easily, after Day 1 a few years ago the top 12 included 4 mediumweights (including the overall leader, who is normally a Heavy) and 2 Heavies. So the good heavies normally beat lightweights. As someone who sailed Raceboards and One Designs, I actually found the One Designs to probably be less weight sensitive.