I have an old Bic Allegro speed board from about 23 years ago and I am thinking about giving it another run.

Does anyone know much about them, and what is the expected top speed I could expect to get out of it?

I was wondering how fast will old speed boards go on modern rigs?

I am also thinking of running a Tassie comp fastest on the Allegro

Would anyone be interested this board did go in the old days.

Russ

Here is some GPS data about the Allegro.

www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=8663&uid=375

oh... i had a tiga slalom280 and a friend of mine rocked up with one.. soo cool !!
he used to go well on it

Wasn't it shaped by Jimmy Lewis? should go well but mast track may be too far forward, if you could make a plate up to move it back should be sweet.

Yeah I was reading about them and it was shaped by Jimmy. Perhaps it would be possible to route out and stick in a new mast track a bit further back. She'd be a pretty radical board.

12 February 2010
Interview - Jimmy Lewis

Jimmy I would like to introduce your name to the new speedsurfing generation of the 21th century. I started speedsurfing in 2007 and heard your names a lot of times, so far I know you build some damn fast boards in the past.

When did you started to build (windsurfing) boards?
The first few windsurfers that I made were made in 1978. One of them was for Mike Waltze and the other was for Mark Robinson. I shaped one or two in the next few years but it was in 1981 that shaping windsurfers because my main focus.

What made you start building your first speedboard?
I was shaping windsurfboards for Sailboards Maui starting in 1981. It was in 1982 that Pascal Maka came to Maui and bought an 8'6” X 21” wide wave board from Sailboards Maui that I had shaped. He took that board to the Weymouth Speed Week and broke the windsurfing speed record on that board. Back on Maui we were ELATED with that news and we (me and Fred Haywood) because very intrested in speed boards. I began to make some special boards for Fred to take to Weymouth the following year (1983) and at that event he broke the windsurfing speed record again by doing 30.82, I believe.




If I am right did some big brand produced “Jimmy Lewis” speedboards, could you tell more?
I was working for Bic from 1987-1988. I made a speed board for their production line. It was 9' X 18” wide and it was called the Allegro.






What is the greatest achievement in speedsurfing for you?
My greates achievement happened in 1986 when Pascal Maka, Erik Beale, Fred Haywood and myself broke the absolute world speed sailing record in Fuerteventura. Pascal did 38.86 knots. The previous absolute world speed sailing record was held by a 60' catamaran and that time was 36.00 knots. All 4 of the sailers who broke the record (Pascal, Erik, Fred and myself) were riding my boards as well as the next 3 in the competition. The top 7 sailers were all using my boards. After that event I was number 3 in the world ranking which to me was “icing on the cake.” I normally wasn't the strongest competitor at the speed events. If there were 60 riders in the event, my ranking was usually somewhere in the middle....... about 30th place. So having all of my boards do so well at this world record breaking even AND me getting third place was the greatest achievement in my speedsailing AND my windsurfing career. The next year Eric Beale broke the record again using my board and at the same time became the fastest sailing craft over 40 knots. This was a great achievement too but it didn't compare to the thrill of what happened in 1986 in Fuerteventura.

What are you doing nowadays?
I make surfboards, a few kitesurfboards and a few stand up surfboards and I run my production board business which is kiteboards, surfboards and stand up boards.

Any tips when starting design a (speed)board shape by myself?
Try to find one of my old speed boards and copy it!!!

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TASSIEROCKS said...

I have an old Bic Allegro speed board from about 23 years ago and I am thinking about giving it another run.

You may be surprised with how well it goes.

An old mate of mine in gero has one. He has regripped it and moved the mast track back. i will see if he has had it out since

Hey Russ, I have a 30cm Venom with a US base that might work OK with the Allegro if you want to try it.

Top idea Dave lets go for it.

I think someone in Tassie Speed Seekers should be able to take it over 35knots

I am sure you would be up for it?

Cheers Russ

Russ, still got mine but its a lot heavier than it use to be . You will have to move the track back to fit a moden sail and with a good fin and flat water i think 38kts is possible. I got mine to a 36kt on a 250m course (Video timed) and a 36kt 500m in the 04 Speedweek, the 50kt wind helped. The narrow tail should work well, used mine as a j&b board for a long time. Great board.

I had the Bic Hard Rock then Electric Rock in the day. Both were quick boards just a handfull in the chop with the super sharp/ square rails.
I picked up a Bic Rap a couple of seasons ago for $50, not nessassarly to sail but to hang on the wall cas the graffics are something else, (wife not convinced). Now that you raised the matter, maybe we should open up the challenge to all sailors and their pre (say) 1997 speed boards to clock (say) 30kn plus 2sec peak...., just for a giggle?!? Come on, the challenge is on to dust off the oldies and get em out there again!

I am up for the comp as well.
Ok let's dust, wet and dry the old boards
For the first (I think)

2011 retro WORLD SPEED GUN comp.

KATO WE COULD CALL IT RETRO PROJECT 38

For the month of February fastest 2 sec peak. We need someone to make a retro trophy and bragging rights to the winner. Register the board and rider on this thread. We will have to use the honesty system. Place a photo of the board on this thread and let's have some fun.

If anyone wants to provide a prize for the comp you will go down in the SPEED GUN HALL OF FAME.

You must use your old Gun for the full session and why wouldn't you, old guns rule.

Russ

I have an old Bombora 260 under the house. That was a speed board. I doubt I could sill it now though. I think it's bent out of shape

Mobydisc

I loved the old bombora 260 you have to enter it

I'll get it out and check it. I'm pretty sure the rocker line is out of whack. If we get a warm sunny day I'll wrap the nose in black plastic and then try to bend it back into shape with some weight.

I bought it to ride on Lake Illawarra in big westerlies.

I hereby register myself and my classic Bic Rap in the "Retro Speed Gun Comp"....., just have to find a fin for it. Will take a pic of her tonight and post as confirmation.
My challenge, (and I do accept), is to clock:
30 2 sec Peak
28kn 10 sec ave
22kn nm- "god help me if it's choppy"
15kn 1 hour
35ks total distance
20kn alpha

Good work Jay,

Anyone elso got an Old Speed Gun worth registering in the first Old speed Gun Comp.

Should be good for 30 knots!

Adagio I think was one of the hardest boards to gybe if I remember it correctly I had a purple one in the day.

Did go fast

I had one in it's heyday from what I remember they gybed great only in a big arc which would probably not register as an alpha, used to be able to carry a big sail on it as well, it is probably still sitting in the back of the blokes shed I sold it to 20 years ago, I will have to chase it up and get it back for a blast, still have some old camspeed sails from the day to run on it.

Right...., my classic board is off the wall and ready to go. I need some advice on what fin to get. Plan to use a Code Red sail (6.5 or even a 7.0) for the event. What do ya reckon, 32cm (-/+).

hi Jay - mines a 32

New Owner- Obelix, might get some more out of this board!

I'm looking forward to a windy day to try it on the river.
In time, this will be my little wave board

Toby, if you want to give it another go, I may lend it back to you, but everyone at home loved the graphics. And the hippie board skirt
So it will be with me for some time.


Adagio I think was one of the hardest boards to gybe if I remember it correctly
No problems there. I don't gybe at all so no expectations

Great idea to have a fun retro comp.
I have a shed full of old speed guns!
Maybe it would be a good idea to distinguish between production boards and custom boards?
PS: I have done over 40 knots on two of them (pre 90's boards) since 2004.
First on my 14.5" oceanmotion speed gun and t hen on Mals Time Machine 13" that he used to WIN the first ever event on 'the canal' in '88!

Thanks Toby, I'll go with a 32cm (something).

It looks like Tuesday, Feb 1, 2011 @ Melville Beach is the day (wind permitting). Who's up for it??

Andrew

I think we should allow all boards in order to celebrate our speed sailing history custom and production. Would you be interested in taking some photo's of your guns and sharing with all of us why you have kept them?



RETRO SPEED GUN COMP QUESTIONS AFTER YOUR SESSION

After your sessions I think it would be fun to tell us about the sail.

What was your overall impression of your old gun now?

What surprised you most?

How much fun was it to sail again?

Funny stories?

Any comments from others at the water that day?

Why have you kept this board and not sold it.

Would you like the retro Gun Comp to become an annual February Australian event?

Cheers Russ

I picked up an old Bic Rap for $93 many years ago when I was getting back into windsurfing after a few years out of the water. Love it.

It can go upwind quite well if powered up and down wind at 30 knots it skips over the chop and holds the speed quite well. It seems to struggle on a reach compared with the modern boards but this could have a lot to do with the sailor and not the equipment.

Much to the disgust of other sailors I keep going back to the rap. Admittedly it's probably just because I haven't purchased a suitable replacement. I tried to replace the rap with a modern board but the replacement board doesn't have the same wind range as the rap. The deck is slippery so it's a nightmare to gybe in any chop and replacing the foot-straps is a nightmare because the screws have pulled through the plastic foot-strap mounting lugs.

If I can do 35 knots on it, I am sure others can get 40 knots in the right conditions.

www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=57090&uid=4340

I also have a Bic Veloce (101 litres) which has done over 30 knots.

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JayWright said...

Thanks Toby, I'll go with a 32cm (something).

It looks like Tuesday, Feb 1, 2011 @ Melville Beach is the day (wind permitting). Who's up for it??

It would give me an opportunity to try it for the first time.
I have an aluminium mast, and a matching 6.5 sail (90's). Should work together fine but need over 20 knts for sure.

I'm only a humble beginner, and never tried a board that small (106L) so it would need to be windy for me to even try.

Maybe Toby would care to show up too?

I hear you calling Obelix, but like the little Gaul Asterix, I will be running as fast as I can chasing a boar- (you know - boaring work!) But hey you Getafix if you can. Watch out for Jay he hangs with Darth Dog...and he has a tratcor beam...

That's OK, I can take the Bombora along. Should still qualify, except that it's a boring colour (white).

I called in to see Mal yesterday and he pulled out a box of old photos that were to drool over for fans of old speed sailing gear and events. I will try to get him to scan a few and post them. Stuff like Eric Beals double surface assy wing sail and Photos of the canal and the boards used in 1988! Amazing historical stuff. He even had some pictures of the Bertin/Grissleman tandem that they used to set their world record!