Modern/new sail on an old Mistral Equipe long board

jrbenson1 · Joined: 21 Jun 2010 Posts: 1

I'm just getting back into windsurfing after 20 years of sitting on the side lines. I purchased a used 1987 Mistral Equipe LCS-XR long board in very good condition. The original sail came with the board. The spec's on that sail are Mast:4.63, Sleeve:4.81, Boom:2.15. I've updated the mast, boom and mast base/extension. What options do I have in putting a modern/new sail on the board? I'd like to stay with a sail that is equivalent or better in performance for the wind conditions the sail is designed for. Please advise.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3560

Welcome back. What size is your updated mast? A 460? A 460 will rig sails from 6.5 to around 7.5.

One note on sails. Today's sails have gone mast specific in many cases so make sure the sail you buy will rig on the mast you have.

Coachg

mez32522 · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

First of all, any new freeride style sail would suit the board best, with cams being the favored option. About a 6.5 thru 7.5, but whatever fits your mast and booms max dimensions. Wave sails are too on and off, race sails too rangy at the top without enough low end.
Now what mast exactly, what boom, it's sizing, and which extension?

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

Check out the Ezzy Zephyr, designed as a one sail quiver for low to medium wind on a 460 mast, long boom length of 215-226. It has highly tunable range, very good low end, good construction, great price. I got one in order to ditch my large sails that needed a 490 mast. dhmark

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

Ditto on the Ezzy Zephyr 7.5. Probably one of the best modern sails for a longboard. Has good power and stability and easy rigging with no fussy cams. Hope you enjoy getting back out there.

jabez · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 13

hello
i used an ezzy zephyr 7.5 on my equipe,prior to that I always used cambered race sails,when I sailed the Zephyr could not believe it was a camless sail. The Ezzy Zephyr has the same low end power as an 8.5
Check the Ezzy website for thwe testimonials for the Zephyr.

einhorn · Joined: 03 Sep 2002 Posts: 31

I'm still sailing on a quiver of sails from 94-96. When I bought a custom board the designer placed my mast track farther forward because older sails were sailed more raked back, and newer sails are cut to be sailed more upright, so mast tracks are further back than they used to be. So if you're on an older board with newer sails you may need to move the mast base further back or the footstraps more forward for proper tuning.