I recently purchased a Windsurfer LT and have used it quite a few times now. I'm new to windsurfing so I'm using it to learn. Generally I'm happy with it and have lots of fun. However, one frustration I have concerns the daggerboard. It is easy enough to retract the daggerboard, but extending it again is a different proposition. I find I have to bang really hard against the lever to get it to move, and it's something that's impossible to do while staying on the board.
Has anyone else got a similar problem? Any suggestions for what to do to improve it?
Thanks!

Can of worms opening in 3 , 2 , 1 .....

Jam hard on the red or white strip "ejector" device on the dagger so loosen it before extending it via the knob on the front of the daggerboard. Also I have wrapped my "dagger knob" in foam and electrical tape which helps get leverage, helps protect bare feet ( I don't wear booties) and also assists railing. Other sailors have developed even more extreme examples of these for additional leverage and incidental railing effect with some quite evil appearances of the enhanced appendage, reminiscent of scenes in Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange.

In WA new boards are prepared by the retailer who inserts sail tape over the slot flusher gasket lips and this helps movement of the dagger and aids protection of the flaps.

If you want sail tape for the dagger contact SurfSail for advice and if suitable buy this product: www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/Windsurfing/Windsurfer-LT/565797/Windsurfer-LT-Daggerboard-Flap-Dacron-Protective-Tape-Set-%282%29

Dacron Sticky Back Daggerboard Flap Protection Set (2) for Windsurfer LT - Protects daggerboard flaps from cracking - Makes daggerboard rotation smooth and easy - Price for 2 x strips black HD sticky back dacron - Each strip 900mm x 55mm .

Some use silicon lubricant to free up the dagger- I used to do this but this is not needed now if you follow all these instructions in my opinion. There are screws on the dagger case which can be loosened to make movement easier if required but you also don't want dagger to move too freely as it might slip while sailing- it's board tuning.

Also my centreboard case has been reversed. I understand the lightweight world champion does not do that, but many others do and it is better for operation and also in terms of position of dagger in case for efficient foil with better positioning.

For more information on this read this tuning guide and watch the videos which explains how to do it: www.windsurferclassaus.com/setup--tuning-guides.html

Nick Bez (overall world champion 2019) does use silicon lubricant to loosen dagger, I believe but doesn't use dacron tape in the video. Lots of approaches work and some better than others and depending on how you attack the issue.

I hope this helps also good to ask local LT users in your area as well. Your retailer should help you too. Where are you ?

lube the sides with silicone grease, it will be so easy to slide and the grease will not attract sand, but sand could stick to it, so lube lightly.

If it still has the first Gen flaps they can be a pain.

Where abouts are you JotheDodo? There's locals in a lot of areas that will be only too happy to give you a hand with the little mods we do.

I thought the LT was a one design and no modifications were allowed. How much are we allowed to change??

When I first saw the title of the post I thought it must have been referring to the rig

If brought from windgenuity and their is a fault with them, they we replace for free !
dont use the knob to push down, stamp on the centre board cover ?

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Imax1 said..
Can of worms opening in 3 , 2 , 1 .....

Oh come on, it's been 7 hours and nobody has started slinging s##t at each other!!
Look forward to these threads when there's no wind

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DarrylG said..
I thought the LT was a one design and no modifications were allowed. How much are we allowed to change??

DarrylG check out the rules which allow certain minor modifications: www.windsurferclassaus.com/uploads/1/2/1/7/121784591/windsurfer_class_rules_2020_final_1.9.20.pdf

I would urge you to read the rules and follow them. Look forward to seeing you on the water on your LT.

All sailing one designs involves tuning and certain modifications and flexibility even the Laser Dinghy allows some flexibility, apparently even more so than it did in 1982 when I last sailed a Laser.

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Jethrow said..
If it still has the first Gen flaps they can be a pain.

Where abouts are you JotheDodo? There's locals in a lot of areas that will be only too happy to give you a hand with the little mods we do.

Thanks - I'm in Canberra - small community here.

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RichardG said..
Jam hard on the red or white strip "ejector" device on the dagger so loosen it before extending it via the knob on the front of the daggerboard. Also I have wrapped my "dagger knob" in foam and electrical tape which helps get leverage, helps protect bare feet ( I don't wear booties) and also assists railing. Other sailors have developed even more extreme examples of these for additional leverage and incidental railing effect with some quite evil appearances of the enhanced appendage, reminiscent of scenes in Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange.

In WA new boards are prepared by the retailer who inserts sail tape over the slot flusher gasket lips and this helps movement of the dagger and aids protection of the flaps.

If you want sail tape for the dagger contact SurfSail for advice and if suitable buy this product: www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/Windsurfing/Windsurfer-LT/565797/Windsurfer-LT-Daggerboard-Flap-Dacron-Protective-Tape-Set-%282%29

Dacron Sticky Back Daggerboard Flap Protection Set (2) for Windsurfer LT - Protects daggerboard flaps from cracking - Makes daggerboard rotation smooth and easy - Price for 2 x strips black HD sticky back dacron - Each strip 900mm x 55mm .

Some use silicon lubricant to free up the dagger- I used to do this but this is not needed now if you follow all these instructions in my opinion. There are screws on the dagger case which can be loosened to make movement easier if required but you also don't want dagger to move too freely as it might slip while sailing- it's board tuning.

Also my centreboard case has been reversed. I understand the lightweight world champion does not do that, but many others do and it is better for operation and also in terms of position of dagger in case for efficient foil with better positioning.

For more information on this read this tuning guide and watch the videos which explains how to do it: www.windsurferclassaus.com/setup--tuning-guides.html

Nick Bez (overall world champion 2019) does use silicon lubricant to loosen dagger, I believe but doesn't use dacron tape in the video. Lots of approaches work and some better than others and depending on how you attack the issue.

I hope this helps also good to ask local LT users in your area as well. Your retailer should help you too. Where are you ?

Thanks for the detailed advice! I'll look into these options.

Don't know alot about windsurfer
But local gu ru, mat ,S puts a tennis ball over centre board kicker ,for comfort, ect.
Two bobs worth

Jot - also I find the board goes down easier from a fully retracted position rather than half way up where it can jam - so if you are going downinwd with it half up - before pushing it down retract it fully - then kick it down - silicone or Teflon as per above as well.

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JotheDodo said..

RichardG said..
Jam hard on the red or white strip "ejector" device on the dagger so loosen it before extending it via the knob on the front of the daggerboard. Also I have wrapped my "dagger knob" in foam and electrical tape which helps get leverage, helps protect bare feet ( I don't wear booties) and also assists railing. Other sailors have developed even more extreme examples of these for additional leverage and incidental railing effect with some quite evil appearances of the enhanced appendage, reminiscent of scenes in Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange.

In WA new boards are prepared by the retailer who inserts sail tape over the slot flusher gasket lips and this helps movement of the dagger and aids protection of the flaps.

If you want sail tape for the dagger contact SurfSail for advice and if suitable buy this product: www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/Windsurfing/Windsurfer-LT/565797/Windsurfer-LT-Daggerboard-Flap-Dacron-Protective-Tape-Set-%282%29

Dacron Sticky Back Daggerboard Flap Protection Set (2) for Windsurfer LT - Protects daggerboard flaps from cracking - Makes daggerboard rotation smooth and easy - Price for 2 x strips black HD sticky back dacron - Each strip 900mm x 55mm .

Some use silicon lubricant to free up the dagger- I used to do this but this is not needed now if you follow all these instructions in my opinion. There are screws on the dagger case which can be loosened to make movement easier if required but you also don't want dagger to move too freely as it might slip while sailing- it's board tuning.

Also my centreboard case has been reversed. I understand the lightweight world champion does not do that, but many others do and it is better for operation and also in terms of position of dagger in case for efficient foil with better positioning.

For more information on this read this tuning guide and watch the videos which explains how to do it: www.windsurferclassaus.com/setup--tuning-guides.html

Nick Bez (overall world champion 2019) does use silicon lubricant to loosen dagger, I believe but doesn't use dacron tape in the video. Lots of approaches work and some better than others and depending on how you attack the issue.

I hope this helps also good to ask local LT users in your area as well. Your retailer should help you too. Where are you ?

Thanks for the detailed advice! I'll look into these options.

Great, good luck.

Hope you can make it to the Australian Masters Games in October: australianmastersgames.com/sport/sailing-windsurfer-lt/

australianmastersgames.com/wp-content/uploads/AMG-NOR.pdf

It is going to be awesome but if you are interested you will need to enter and book a charter board now as supplies are limited.

In the meantime enjoy this. Highlights of the 3rd Italian National Race in Cagliari, Sardinia.Fasten your seat belts and enjoy it!
fb.watch/53pV2XqVxO/

And due to the boom in Windsurfer LT continuing unabated there is now a new brand coming on the Gaastra Windsurfer LT:


I seem to remember my Windsurfer class sail in 1982 was a Gaastra so this is coming full circle. So now there is Windsurfer, Exocet, Naish, NSP, i99 Nove Nove, Starboard, Thommen Van Den Bergh, Mistral and Gaastra. Who else is there ?

Do the brands make them in different factories, eg like the Laser or ILCA as it is now known ?

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AUS 814 said..
Do the brands make them in different factories, eg like the Laser or ILCA as it is now known ?

No. All are made at Cobra but co-branded and badge engineered there for each brand. As you may know Cobra makes the boards for each of these brands already so economies in batch manufacturing follow. Also one manufacturer ensures consistency in one design. The boards carry the Windsurfer LT logo or the logo of the brand that's marketing them but all boards also carry a made by Cobra mark too.

And will the new Gaastra ones come with the same design fault with the daggerboard ??

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lotofwind said..
And will the new Gaastra ones come with the same design fault with the daggerboard ??

The flaps will wear out over time anyway. I have never had any issues with the flaps personally since they have been sail taped and flipped the dagger case and there is general maintenance always with slotflushers on all longboards with centreboards. I believe the newer models are improved but the sail tape is actually a good way of enhancing the operation and flap life, since it is a bit like rail tape on a SUP. The Laser also has or had design faults but sailors worked around under class rules. It is simple and I am sure a kiter of your calibre would understand. They are identical, albeit the ones pictured have the optional school daggerboard, not the faster race daggerboard. The Gaastra ones are pictured with the Windsurfer LT Long Flat Daggerboard Cover which fully covers the Daggerboard Slot on Deck and can be used in SUP mode or with 62cm School Daggerboard (cp 85 cm race daggerboard optimised for upwind lift and tracking). Flipping the case in race vs flexi mode is also built into the design which is uber versatile unlike the limits of other craft or kites. The long flat dagger cover (with dagger removed of course) available for all LTs, regardless of brand, also helps when using the LT in traditional logging mode as shown here by Edoardo Thermes, an exponent of the "Alex Knost school" in a soul arched nose ride, with upraised arm reminiscent of Lance Carson at Malibu:

Gorilla tape is better and cheaper than sail tape !

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windsufering said..
Gorilla tape is better and cheaper than sail tape !

Why and how ?

Tried both, doesn't grip centre board !

Thanks. Now 2 m waves and 20 knots from the Italian National Race-very challenging sailing. Full report of the "Trofeo Gianfranco Gessa" 3rd Italian National Race in Cagliari, Sardinia. Its at fullthrottle ! enjoy it!!! Forza Windsurfer LT !

fb.watch/55kNatqYqs/

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windsufering said..
Gorilla tape is better and cheaper than sail tape !

Any pictures..? Very frustrated with difficulty of using centre board on lt

pulled one flap off to ease getting cb up and down. Already use silicon spray

cheers jefff

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appleman said..
But local gu ru, mat ,S puts a tennis ball over centre board kicker ,for comfort, ect.
Two bobs worth

Maybe the LT makers could supply a free tennis ball with every rig sold to fix the design fault? Might be cheaper for them then doing a design fault recall?

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lotofwind said..

appleman said..But local gu ru, mat ,S puts a tennis ball over centre board kicker ,for comfort, ect.Two bobs worth

Maybe the LT makers could supply a free tennis ball with every rig sold to fix the design fault? Might be cheaper for them then doing a design fault recall?

I guess maybe they could. Maybe is really speculation. Just like every kite brand maybe could supply free medical insurance, temporary, permanent disability and life cover as part of every sale of a kite/kiteboard due to inherently dangerous nature of the kiting sport. Bonne Chance !

Dont know what this LT design fault has to do with kiteing dangers, but, anyways, there have been quite a few design faults in kites but the company's usually recognize the issue and send out parts to rectifie the issue to all who have bought them, hence backing their customers.
But these are probably bigger companies than the LT guys which might not be able to afford that sort of customer after sale support on faulty gear.

If I was you JoetheDodo, I'd take it back to where you bought it from and get them to do these fixes others are suggesting to repair the fault,
At the big bucks to buy this gear in the first place, you then shouldnt have to fork out more of your own money to make them usable.

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lotofwind said..
Dont know what this LT design fault has to do with kiteing dangers, but, anyways, there have been quite a few design faults in kites but the company's usually recognize the issue and send out parts to all who have bought them hence backing their customers.
But these are probably bigger companies than the LT guys and might not be able to afford that sort of customer after sale support on faulty gear.

There is not really a design fault it is a simple fix and a tune up. You don't need a tennis ball as foam and electrical tape does it and some don't even bother to change it but wear booties. The support from retailers and manufacturers for the LT has been fantastic. Its simple and its demonstrated by it being the worlds fastest growing one design sailing class. On the other hand, I guess kiters are switching to wingfoiling to reduce risk of injury such movement being pushed by kiting companies to a waiting market of ageing kiters willing to pay for it and seeking more sedate and safer pursuits.

How many one design windsurfing classes are there at the moment?

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lotofwind said..
How many one design windsurfing classes are there at the moment?

Do your own research there are many Windsurfer Class, Bic Techno, Mistral One Design, Kona, iQFoil, Patrik Foil, Bic Foil etc. The question is outside the scope of this thread.