Ran in to a rare sight driving along the road today ,an old sailboard leaning up against a fence, turned around and called in to the house, hotel motel, spoke to the owner and he had these relics sitting around his beach accommodation, for art.
Thought some Torquay old salts would appreciate the good old day photos.
Bought the island energy, thruster for 30 bucks to surf on ,and just for fun will give the old girl one last sail before I cut the foot straps off, cheers
ef
That's all I wanted on my Christmas list in 1990 :)
And was pondering the double back straps the other day. Might add inserts for a (modern) board that sh!ts me badly with too wide a stance, barely planing upwind means taking back foot out for comfort .......
Here is an old school which I still use as my main high wind board for 25 - 30 knts +. Mostly with a 4.5 wave sail. weight of about 10 kg combined with bottom shape makes for a comfortable ride over the chop at my local. mast base needs to be pulled right back. also put in a new rear foot strap position and replaced the fin box a few years ago when it came out in about 30knts on a brad reach. picked it up for $50.
Select to expand quotelungs said..
weight of about 10 kg combined with bottom shape makes for a comfortable ride over the chop at my local.
I first started on a very old school, very heavy board and it ate up chop like nothing else.
Makes me wonder if lighter really is always better.
Got me inspired. I've got a late 80s gathering dust at the old man's place in vicco. Hasn't been ridden for over 20 years. Going to give her a spin at xmas.
Doesn't look much different to what Im riding . 
memories....thank goodness for mistral,F2 ,fanatic ,hi fly ...,Bic ..to take us into the future .
Jirvin4505 what time we going to the Rave ,that T.Shirt will bring in the shroom chicks foreshore,I'll be wingman.
Leed
Spoke to the shaper of my Island Energy board today, circa, mid 80s
I reckon it will surf real good,nice and thin, some of the old shapes are really sweet, you can just tell by looking at them.
It will have its last sail before it is used for a mini mal, and will be jumped, .
Bit worried about a catapult ,the way those straps so far forward.
I think the Water cooled shaper definitely had a bit more of an idea of where straps should be.
Cool as I rekon .
Resined in footstraps, no need to cut them, just toss them with the board, because after you cut them, they're too short for actual use, unless you have tiny feet.
And SuperFreaks work well with modern setups and old setups!.
My 4.2 and 4.5's are still in the windsurfing van, and I have a handful of modern monofilm 4.2's and 4.5's.
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said..lungs said..
weight of about 10 kg combined with bottom shape makes for a comfortable ride over the chop at my local.
I first started on a very old school, very heavy board and it ate up chop like nothing else.
Makes me wonder if lighter really is always better.
My smallest board, for the strongest wind, is also my heaviest board, just the way I like it.
I've tried super light boards on very windy days, and it can be a struggle just keeping the fin in the water, weight is your friend when it's blowing 30+.
Not too sure on your comprehension skills LeeD. He has quite clearly stated that he will use the board for surfing. He needs a board without straps for this. He is not intending to reuse the straps. Possibly try reading before continually handing out your useless advice.
Select to expand quotemclovin said..
Not too sure on your comprehension skills LeeD. He has quite clearly stated that he will use the board for surfing. He needs a board without straps for this. He is not intending to reuse the straps. Possibly try reading before continually handing out your useless advice.
Is it really something to get worked up about or are you an English professor?
Nah, just find it annoying that he tries insulting everybody's intelligence. He does it continually and it bugs me a bit. If you are going to imply others are stupid it's only fair to get it back a bit. I'm always open to fair criticism.
Select to expand quotemclovin said..
Nah, just find it annoying that he tries insulting everybody's intelligence. He does it continually and it bugs me a bit. If you are going to imply others are stupid it's only fair to get it back a bit. I'm always open to fair criticism.
+1
I spoke to Appleman today.....I couldn't believe it when I saw the photo of the Island Energy thruster. It was my first custom board.
I was at high school working as a builder's labourer and at the local chandlery on weekends. I scrpimped and saved for a year to save the $800. That was a bomb in 1983!
Boards weren't being measured in volume. Not here at least. The sole criterion was it had to be a "Sinker" and around 8'6". I spent most of my time on that board up to my armpits submerged! Not able to go sailing when it was howling because of stud I think I only got her planing a few times. I was so disappointed. I sold her in near new condition and chucked in Wavesailing. I bought a Bombora Big Toy with the proceeds which could be sailed any time. Soon after that I shaped my own board that floated with volume under the mast, foot straps and blunt nose. I got rubbished by everyone. Boards that float? That concept wes never going to work!
A more youthful me 1983 on My expensive Dog.
The "Sinker" nearly killed windsurfing IMO.
Agrid, I think that is a Precision Equip
Designed and shaped by Tom Hoye of Margaret River. If I am right it is a nice board and collectable.
I had a bunch of PE boards through the 80's, still have my 9'6' slalom board. They were all fantastic. Couldn't believe my luck when I came across the above one on Gumtree. I'm (re)living the dream.
I do understand my "mistake" about cutting off the straps, but have any of you actually TRIED using an old poly glass board for surfing?
It's basically impossible. 20 lbs of weight coupled with much flatter rocker than any funboard, narrow nose and tail, allows for only late takeoffs and rail catching and pearling. It's just no possible, compared to a cheap old mid 7' funboard.
There is a guy in Scarborough, Western Australia who surfs a Wind Tech, (shaped by Neil Scheltema) which I understand was converted from a wave sailboard. I have had encounters with him in the line up. His reputation proceeds him others in these parts may know him. He surfs the board quite capably and well.
