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The rig
For this test we were sent the One
Design Windsurfer LT 5.7m rig. The big
pluses here when compared to its
predecessor is inclusion of two piece
modern mast and modern boon. We’ve
heard all kinds of stories about how
booms needed to be tied on and masts
were one complete entity. This is no
longer the case, and as such the
rigging of the sail is pretty easy.
The sail itself offers a large cloth area
with leach mounted stabilising battens.
A single downhaul eyelet allows for
easy tensioning, which is the same with
the outhaul.
On the water
The first thing to appreciate is the One
Design rig isn’t like fully batten sails we
currently use. It’s very much a more
bagged out affair and without full
battens takes a bit of getting used to (if
you haven’t used one before). Its boom
is also quite long although due to its
full belly the sail powers up quickly and
makes use of gusts in the lightest of
winds. This transfers directly to forward
board momentum.
Surging forward the Windsurfer LT is an
efficient cruiser. Whilst not technically
planing it moves a lot more
purposefully through the brine than
modern wind windsurfing boards
thereby giving the rider a feeling of
speed. Where some boards bog the
Windsurf LT’s beauty is cutting through
chop and gliding effortlessly thereby
engaging the pilot and making the
whole experience one of pure fun.
With daggerboard down pointing high
upwind is no issue, the Windsurfer LT
pinching super close. Heading back
down breeze, with daggerboard up, is
grin inducing, the Windsurfer LT
catching the merest sniff of a bump.
Big thanks to Bruce Wylie at Cobra
International and Edoardo Thermes
at windsurferclass.com for helping
with this test.
Round corners, such as tacks and
gybes, are easy to accomplish, the
Windsurfer LT being a good tutor and
therefore ideal for newbie windsurfers.
If you’ve a penchant for some light
wind flick flack then whirling and
twirling is certainly doable. That
additional stability helping keep sailors
dry. Concentration on rig control will be
needed, we’ll not lie, as already stated
the One Design sail doesn’t behave like
more modern battened rigs. That said
with a bit of time and perseverance
sailors will learn the ways.
Conclusion
We’re super stoked to be given the
chance to play with the updated
Windsurfer Lt One Design sail and
board. Fun is the overriding sense
this kit delivers with it being perfect
for those lighter air days (it actually
planes efficiently also, in the right
wind strength, albeit without
straps). Efficiently covering ground,
with decent speed, it’s an engaging
ride that’ll put a smile on all faces.
As an extra bit of versatility the
Windsurfer LT is also SUPable –
something we also put to the
test. Paddling well it behaves
better in stand up paddle board
mode than many more dedicated
all round boards. All in we doff
our cap to Bruce Wylie and his
team for bringing to the fore this
newly updated classic bit of
gear. If you’re looking to get out
afloat whatever the weather
then search no further. And
don’t forget there’s a healthy
scene for those One Design
racers among you.
uk
WIND
SURFING