Does anyone know anything about these sails?
I'm guessing they are from between 1988 and 1992. No longer a soft sail but not as heavily supported (and heavy!) as what we are used to now.
It's the sail type B 7.5m? made by Velazur Cannes France .
Made of monofilm .
Later turned in to the NP Lechner sail for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic's .
Excellent. Thanks NelsonFoils. It does look very similar to the NP Lechner sail, other than the battens of course.
Reason I ask is because I've been really enjoying sailing with an old soft sail lately, it frees up so much snappy sail handling (mostly gybing and a bit tacking) that I've been watching guys doing on the old D2 videos. Whipping the board through a gybe holding one hand on the boom and one on the foot of the sail with the masthead way out over the back of the board, that sort of thing - pretty cumbersome with the 8.4! Thinking about getting myself a WOD 6.0, but also wanting to explore that middle ground between the 'soft 3 short battens' and the '5 or more full battens and a few cams'.... Maybe there's a happy middle ground that got blitzed over all too quickly without being explored much.
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Eric Bouillet has just confirmed this sail by email as '1st generation of the Velazur 7.5 B' so double excellent. He says he thought they weren't so great other than in light winds.
So I was enjoying a quite beverage tonight at the RPAYC, watching some drone footage of the 5.5 nationals from today, when I spotted what looked like (and was later confirmed) to be Lechner chasing the fleet downwind!
Anyone we know? (cough) Salty (cough) 
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
Excellent. Thanks NelsonFoils. It does look very similar to the NP Lechner sail, other than the battens of course.
Reason I ask is because I've been really enjoying sailing with an old soft sail lately, it frees up so much snappy sail handling (mostly gybing and a bit tacking) that I've been watching guys doing on the old D2 videos. Whipping the board through a gybe holding one hand on the boom and one on the foot of the sail with the masthead way out over the back of the board, that sort of thing - pretty cumbersome with the 8.4! Thinking about getting myself a WOD 6.0, but also wanting to explore that middle ground between the 'soft 3 short battens' and the '5 or more full battens and a few cams'.... Maybe there's a happy middle ground that got blitzed over all too quickly without being explored much.
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Eric Bouillet has just confirmed this sail by email as '1st generation of the Velazur 7.5 B' so double excellent. He says he thought they weren't so great other than in light winds.
Here is another pics for that sail...
Ha! Yep that was me playing with the 5.5's. Geez they can point high!
I would buy that Grego in a flash.
Thanks Eric for the photo, Something about that era of pre bubblegum sails that just looks so right on a D2. Longer boom is nice too.
Select to expand quoteJethrow said..
The guy sailing 5.5 AUS-29 has a Lechner too!
Must be a top bloke, 5.5's and Lechners! Have never seen him out on it though.
Can you not offer him your left kidney for it or something like that?
I've been working on him for years to sell. If I thought he was a chance I wouldn't let hints to his identity out.
He has said he'd come sailing if I can find another though.
That sail is perfect for D2...Much better than old 7.3-7.5 type B sails...Prefer short boom, easier to handle when wind picks up.
You can go up to 9.5 m2 according to new D2 Class rules.
Thanks Eric, I do really appreciate your input. Although there is nothing in me that wants much at all to do with 9.5's. I'm far more likely (very likely at this stage) to size down from the 8.4 back to a 7.5 as my everyday sail, and to have a little 6.3 soft sail for flipping around when I'm in the mood.
One mast, one boom, one extension, one board, one cammed sail and one soft sail, either of which can be used in all weather. (Well most anyhow....) Sounds like minimalist windsurfing gear heaven to me.
Was sailing earlier today in 18 gusting 25 with the 8.4 on the Lechner. I can do it and all, but I'm sure as sure can be that I would have had more fun with a bit less sail. Should have gone with a 7.5 in the first place, I was too influenced by all the 9.5's around.
I do take on board though that I'm probably better just getting a 7.5 version of what I have already than getting all experimental with inspiration from the past....
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
Thanks Eric, I do really appreciate your input. Although there is nothing in me that wants much at all to do with 9.5's. I'm far more likely (very likely at this stage) to size down from the 8.4 back to a 7.5 as my everyday sail, and to have a little 6.3 soft sail for flipping around when I'm in the mood.
One mast, one boom, one extension, one board, one cammed sail and one soft sail, either of which can be used in all weather. (Well most anyhow....) Sounds like minimalist windsurfing gear heaven to me.
Was sailing earlier today in 18 gusting 25 with the 8.4 on the Lechner. I can do it and all, but I'm sure as sure can be that I would have had more fun with a bit less sail. Should have gone with a 7.5 in the first place, I was too influenced by all the 9.5's around.
I do take on board though that I'm probably better just getting a 7.5 version of what I have already than getting all experimental with inspiration from the past....
Sorry, I should have specified ..,What I meant was today 7.5, 8.5 & 9.5 are easier to handle than 90s 7.5 because of the cut and presence of top flex. A today 7.5 (ex Bic T293 sail) works perfect.
I guess it takes being a fair bit left of centre to get a kick out of this old video. There's some stunningly skilled sailing in it though...
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~-vn4x/Crit-650-Division-Ii-380-cm-290-litres.aspx?_page=8&search=iVVAl2umBXmHLC7VP1FIeA%3D%3D
DIV2's in good shape don't come cheap !! practically collector items
i will be joining the crew this year - on REIX from Eric
Yes! That there is. Aware of this one we are.
Dropping considerable cash and time and effort on a board, the sights are firmly and understandably set on a late period D2..... Lechner, Davidson, etc (not exactly sure what 'etc' applies to in this case!)
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
I guess it takes being a fair bit left of centre to get a kick out of this old video. There's some stunningly skilled sailing in it though...
We've got another tragic on here who's been searching for a decent D2 for quite a long time now. 'Jethrow' has posted ad's and wanted's here there and everywhere, has been shaking the various trees and has found a few nice boards but no one that is willing to part with one.
How about it D2 hoarders? I totally understand the desire to hold one of these special boards for the joy of having such a lovely thing, but wouldn't it be great for it to be sailing regularly again? Even better that would make two of us on D2's together and that would perhaps shake a few more out onto the water as well....
Anyone?
That's insane skills! Love the lay down gybes but not as we know it. Super fast tacks and scared reaching. A whole new level. And hanging off the boom (bum slaps)
Who as the guy in the last shots with the purple sail. Seemed to follow him around
And lastly how steady were the camera men back then!
Select to expand quoteBSN101 said..
That's insane skills! Love the lay down gybes but not as we know it. Super fast tacks and scared reaching. A whole new level. And hanging off the boom (bum slaps)
Who as the guy in the last shots with the purple sail. Seemed to follow him around
And lastly how steady were the camera men back then!
I know right! What gets me too is how freaking good those sails look - setting so well, obviously nicely stable with hands and harness lines close together and driving the boards so well. It's hard to tell with the video quality but it certainly doesn't look very windy at all.
Must have been a huge old steady cam thing, with a top shelf operator on the end of it.
The purple sailed hat wearing guy... see 00:28.
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
Yes! That there is. Aware of this one we are.
Dropping considerable cash and time and effort on a board, the sights are firmly and understandably set on a late period D2..... Lechner, Davidson, etc (not exactly sure what 'etc' applies to in this case!)
$790 seems like a bit of a bargain to me, particularly for a board that is fully functional and ready to sail. I have a DB2 I have been doing up slowly, only paid $150 but already invested hundreds in terms of repair materials the majority of that being paint but that doesn't even take into account the time spent restoring or the scarcity of the item to start with.
Still to do is complete the painting, make a new centreboard as the lechner one I have isn't optimal and make a new gasket. By the time I do that and purchase some marine ply and varnish and whatever little bits and pieces I need to complete it will owe over $500 just in materials and I was given a rsx mast track and a nice 38cm US box fin that I didn't have to pay for. If I had to pay for those items add another $300, I know when mine is operational I wouldn't consider selling it for less than $1000, probably somewhere between one and two thousand is reality for a quality Div 2 in my opinion. I expect they will keep appreciating as well as really they are collector status.
edit: I should add that Raceboards in good condition from the 90's are fetching up to $1000 these days, a DIV 2 is a much scarcer beast and therefore should command higher dollars from an enthusiast
Select to expand quotecammd said..
$790 seems like a bit of a bargain to me, particularly for a board that is fully functional and ready to sail. I have a DB2 I have been doing up slowly, only paid $150 but already invested hundreds in terms of repair materials the majority of that being paint but that doesn't even take into account the time spent restoring or the scarcity of the item to start with.
Still to do is complete the painting, make a new centreboard as the lechner one I have isn't optimal and make a new gasket. By the time I do that and purchase some marine ply and varnish and whatever little bits and pieces I need to complete it will owe over $500 just in materials and I was given a rsx mast track and a nice 38cm US box fin that I didn't have to pay for. If I had to pay for those items add another $300, I know when mine is operational I wouldn't consider selling it for less than $1000, probably somewhere between one and two thousand is reality for a quality Div 2 in my opinion. I expect they will keep appreciating as well as really they are collector status.
edit: I should add that Raceboards in good condition from the 90's are fetching up to $1000 these days, a DIV 2 is a much scarcer beast and therefore should command higher dollars from an enthusiast
I wholeheartedly agree. My Lechner has a home for as long as I'm able to sail it. However if it was to be sold I'd place it's value at well over $1000. The board is durable, on weight and utterly repairable. There's no reason why it won't be just as good in another 30 years if it's well cared for.
The thing here is that we all have different needs and desires, things that we're willing to compromise on or not. Jethrow has made it clear what he's looking for and it's not my place to second guess that. He sailed D2's in the past and is familiar with a variety of them and happens to know what he want's and has been willing to wait patiently, three cheers for that.
p.s. Would love to see an update pic or two of your DB2 at some stage.
p.p.s. My involvement here trying to round up a board is entirely unsolicited and completely in self interest. 
Shouldn't be to far off a relaunch, racing season is drawing to a close in a few weeks so I will have a bit more time on weekends plus winter in Qld brings cool dry weather, much better for painting and sanding things.
I have a custom Barracouta 9.5 Dacron/Mylar 5 batten no cam sail I picked up with an old Lightning a couple of years ago. Very Light weight in as new condition, I think it will be a really good match for the DB2, so looking forward to some nice cool light wind winter cruising in a couple of months.
Best way to get boards on the water is to schedule a regatta, make it next season probably Novemberish to avoid clashing with other classes.
I could organise it at RQ but I would expect a better turnout in Sydney given it would be far less travel for he Canberra guys, I would travel down. Anyone of the Sydney clubs willing to put there hand up, a two or three day regatta shouldn't take much organising. Maybe use an existing dinghy regatta it can be bolted onto to keep costs down.
Get that off the ground and boards will appear out of the woodwork
Failing that I could request a class added into Sail Brisbane if we could get 5 boards, that's in July after youth week, traditionally very light winds and cool sunny days.
Select to expand quoteBSN101 said..saltyheaven said..
I guess it takes being a fair bit left of centre to get a kick out of this old video. There's some stunningly skilled sailing in it though...
We've got another tragic on here who's been searching for a decent D2 for quite a long time now. 'Jethrow' has posted ad's and wanted's here there and everywhere, has been shaking the various trees and has found a few nice boards but no one that is willing to part with one.
How about it D2 hoarders? I totally understand the desire to hold one of these special boards for the joy of having such a lovely thing, but wouldn't it be great for it to be sailing regularly again? Even better that would make two of us on D2's together and that would perhaps shake a few more out onto the water as well....
Anyone?
That's insane skills! Love the lay down gybes but not as we know it. Super fast tacks and scared reaching. A whole new level. And hanging off the boom (bum slaps)
Who as the guy in the last shots with the purple sail. Seemed to follow him around
And lastly how steady were the camera men back then!
Guys,
This is the French Olympic team training in Brittany in 88 before the Games, s you are watching the top of the top of D2 cream here.
Everything they do almost accessible to you...after significant amount of training time spent on the water and fails.
I should have another video of the same to show you...plus another one about our guys today, once they started training again.
Nothing impossible...just go back sailing your D2. All you need is persistance
Any old D2 videos you can dredge up would be welcome Eric !
I've been trying to find some footage of the '92 era Lechners, either at the Olympics or training. I might need to get more proactive with that. Let's see, 1992, that would have been Spain. That can't be too hard, do we have any D2 tragics in Spain that might want to chase the TV network archives department?
D2 Obsessives only, click below....
This is from 2 years ago - just a few weeks after I got my Lechner, shortly before my el cheapo action camera decided it would be happier at the bottom of Pittwater.
Following on from my ummms and ahhs about sails... the deed has been done. The 8.4 has a new home, the 6.6 also has gone, the new 7.4 has been ordered with some specific tweaks to fill my slightly unusual requirements. I'm sailing around with the ancient Mistral Bi-radial 6.0 in the meantime, it's fun. If that's all I ever had I'd still be happy.
