Equipe

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 951

Agree with Windnc. Equipe for performance, but Kona One for fun when up and running on a plane.

The Kona has some suitability in surf, and this translates to grin on face when planing and swooping on open sea swells. It may not be the fastest (it isn't slow) but it satisfies the soul, just being there with style.

Those who don't get it, never will. It's their loss, not ours!

SeaDawg · Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 274

windnc,

I think you really nailed it on your discription of the kona one.

Perhaps there are two trains of thought when talking with new windsurfers. The 1st solve to is how to get sailing(learn) and what board will give the most bang for the buck.I'd say the kona fits the bill the best.

Then there are us old guys that have been around the sport for 35+ yrs.

We've been through the full history of the sport and when someone asks me what to buy, I think of all the phases I went through(short wave boards, speed oriented etc.) all were fun and all left me many times sitting on the beach waiting for wind.

My full circle has brought me back to longboards. The Equipe II brought me back to the light wind performace leval that I wanted.

Still love the short boards once the wind is above 20.

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 951

In belated reply to Sailing Joe's accusation. Obsolete means no longer used: out of date.

Not sure if you refer to the Equipe in particular, or all high volume longboards with dagger boards in general? But either way, your statement hardly makes sense.

Konas, Phantoms, Exocets are current longboards in production. Equipes, Cats, and Lightnings are old designs. In performance terms there is still little between old and new, and old boards still sometimes win in open races.

As has been made clear by others, the old Equipe is one of the beat performing longboards, and it will out perform the modern Kona One on all points of sail. (The Kona has different virtues, which I in particular appreciate, and find appealing.)

Clearly, there is still a limited demand and market for the longboard concept, and always will be as long as sailing exists. Those of us smitten forgive the annoying shortcomings in return for the satisfaction that those magic moments can bring. It's akin to yachting in a way. When those moments strike, you are hooked for life.)

I would like tohear a reasoned argument as to what it is you consider should consign the longboard to the dustbin of history?

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 176

Thanks for sharing experience with Equipe and Kona. I now have a good reason to get another board! Wink

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 924

sailingjoe said:

pueno · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 1675

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 951

Sailing Joe, in referring to my quote that obsolete means 'no longer used; out of date.' advised me to buy a dictionary.

'No longer used; out of date.' was a DIRECT QUOTE from Collins Paperback English Dictionary (Exclusive Edition). Will you inform them that they don't know what they are talking about, or shall I?

Briefly;

1) 'I don't know anyone who is racing Equipes seriously. .....I do, in weekly club racing events where they race against modern Phantoms, and sometimes kick ass, as I think the phrase is.

2) 'Balony about fastest in light or moderate winds doesn't make them anymore fun than any board which has enough floatation to keep you up.'.... In the words of one of your argumentative ex tennis players, 'You cannot be serious man!!!'

3) 'Durability in addition remains a very important category for recreational sailing.' .... Equipes, and the other classic longboards are mostly 20 or more years old, and still performing!

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

It's a bit amusing to me that someone would write up a comparison now between the Kona and the Equipe. I was in Sailworld the other day. The rack is loaded with SUP's, all of which are different in shape and style. Jim agreed with me that the Equipe was obsolete, but he did add that they are rare these days. However, rare in the sense that they don't make it to his shop or out on the water. That really doesn't support any claims about durability. I had one for a while back in the day. A fellow sailor had driven into his barn with it on his roof rack. The tip caught in the door and broke. I told him that I would fix it if he let me take the board and sail it after the repair. I wasn't impressed with it and gave it back. I'm glad I don't have it now, too. Nevertheless, I'ld love to sail some of those SUP's at Sailworld.

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 951

Mistrals in the late 80's early 90's came in more than one type of construction. The high performance Equipes used by the racing pro's were light and fragile, in the sense that they were/are intolerant to abuse. Nobody I ever knew used one for barn demolition purposes. (Bics were used for that!)

Mistral, at that time (built in Germany) used first class materials and knew how to construct longboards that didn't fall apart in NORMAL racing use. (Unlike Cobra and their early Phantom building efforts.) The fact that so many Equipes survived and are still in use (obsolete NOT) over here is proof of Mistrals constructional and material methods of that time.

As I claimed before, Mistral (German built) set a standard of construction with their range of D.C.S. (durable carbon system) boards at that time that Cobra find difficult to match today.

By the way... if you accept the words of a retailer who has a business to run, and a living to have to make, in todays contracting windsurfing market, you are not thinking critically. They HAVE to survive by selling todays products, and, as all windsurfers are constantly being told, S.U.P. boards are far superior. Your apparent enthusiasm to now try one out for WINDSURFING is proof of the power of persuasion!