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Long boards offer a great way to get started windsurfing and they have another potential use as well.
There are a number of sailboard types or brands/models that can be used for competitive windsurfing provided a club based handicap system is incorporated. As we have more light wind days, than high wind days, windsurfing with a long board in winds 15 mph or lower has potential. These type of windsurf boards are easier to learn on and are generally a "keeper" because they can be used in lighter wind conditions recreationally as well. The windsurfing industry over the years created a number of different but similar one design sailboards by different manufacturers. These were for the most part limited run productions and board design was changed marginally fairly regularly. There were some one design concepts but generally these one design models faded away over time.
There were a lot of sailboards sold in the 1980's and 1990's that would also work as a competition model. Characteristics of a good board choice would be the following.
1. 185 li and higher volume 2. Retractable centerboard. 3. Chinook or EuroPin attachable mast base convertible if no OEM mast base is included. 4. No more than 35 lbs weight.
Cost of acquiring a suitable used long board is generally very low. Patience and searching the want ads will help to find a suitable long board.
Create a communication system to keep your group of long boarders active.
A simple way of creating a handicap number for each individual sailor and their respective equipment is to all sail a simple windward/leeward course and time the sailors. This would enable calculating a handicap for each individual. Adjust the numbers over time. Try to meet at least a few times a year and have a social after.
Some but not all of the older and current Long Board Windsurf boards that could be a suitable choice
The following Mistral windsurf board models were known to feature a centerboard (also referred to as a daggerboard or dagger) system, primarily in their longboard/raceboard lines from the 1980s and 1990s:
Mistral Equipe (all versions, including Equipe I, II, and 1.5)
Mistral Superlight (Original and Superlight II) and or Ultralight
Mistral Ventura
Mistral Tarifa
Mistral New Malibu
Mistral One Design
Mistral Competition SST
Mistral Maui
These models were designed as versatile longboards or specific raceboards, where the centerboard was essential for stability, tracking, and sailing efficiently upwind in non-planing conditions. Modern windsurf boards typically use only a single fin and often include a removable center fin plug rather than a full centerboard for use in planing conditions.
Fanatic produced several windsurf board models with centerboards (or centerfins), primarily in the 1980s and early 1990s, when longboards and raceboards were prevalent. These centerboards help with upwind performance and stability, especially for learning or in light winds.
Known Fanatic models that featured centerboards include:
Fanatic Cat (or Ultra Cat/Mega Cat): A well-known raceboard line that went through several design iterations in the late 80s and early 90s. The Mega Cat 380 and the earlier Ultra Cat are specifically mentioned as having a centerboard.
Fanatic Viper: This model is described as a perfect board for all sizes of windsurfers, featuring a wide foam deck and a convenient retractable centerfin, making it suitable for learning.
Fanatic 375 (Race 375): An early model which had a fully retractable, fiberglass laminated racing centerboard.
Fanatic 300: This older model (circa late 1980s) was also equipped with a centerboard and fin, parts for which can be difficult to find today.
These models were generally longer and had more volume than modern shortboards, reflecting the design philosophy of the era for all-around performance and ease of use in various conditions.
F2, a prominent windsurfing board manufacturer, included retractable centerboards (daggerboards) in many of their early, longer "funboards" and race-oriented models.
Known F2 models that featured a centerboard include:
F2 Lightning A popular raceboard model that went through several design iterations, all of which featured a centerboard.
F2 Comet Early versions of the Comet, particularly the Comet 330 and Comet Slalom, had a centerboard option or mechanism.
F2 Phoenix The Phoenix 320 and 340 models were known for their all-around performance and included a centerboard slot.
F2 Rookie A vintage beginner board model (e.g., Rookie 335) that used a compatible centerboard system.
F2 Type X This model was identified as actually being a Kerma 322 sailboard, but used an F2 mast track, and had a centerboard.
The use of centerboards was standard on older, long-style windsurf boards designed for stability and upwind performance (planing and non-planing), which F2 produced in the 1980s and early 1990s. Later F2 boards focused on short, high-performance wave, freestyle, and slalom designs, which typically use only a single, fixed fin at the rear.
Current suitable brands still in production are
Kona. Different size sail rigs depending on sailor weight.
Bic or Tahe Techno 293, Bic Core 293. Three or four sail rig sizes available starting from 5.7 sq meter.
New company name “Tahe”, and for example Tahe 11'6" BREEZE SUP WIND
other Breeze and Beach models with larger sail rigs 6.0 and higher.
Windsurfer One Design LT. New lighter weight, soft deck, one design.
In many areas on the planet these one design sailboards are currently sailed competitively as well as recreationally.
Other rigid SUP/Wind board combination with daggerboard or attachable center fin.
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