Windsurfing Mistral One Design IMCO Bath Creek NC Sailing Bonner's Point April 11 '24 

This video might give you better perspective (minus the catapult at the end) It is a great board: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hs4kbhMfIoM.html

How long have you sailed and was the IMCO your original board? I've been through a series of iterations claiming my best board for conditions like this. I started with an Equipe II XR which in my opinion is the best all-round raceboard (I've never had the opportunity to try a CAT or a Lightning) but the Equipe II handles really well in Low-wind conditions. I'm starting to think the IMCO has more control in rough water...perhaps because of the lower volume, but I really think it has to do with the geometry. It really slices through nicely and once I've gotten used to it, no issues with stability.

@@wlyounce375 I started windsurfing forty-five years ago. First board was original Windsurfer with teak booms and daggerboard. Then a Mistral Bermuda and custom fiberglass short board. Had been racing sailboats; when I learned the 1996 Atlanta Olympics were going to use the IMCO I bought a new one in 1994 and started really training and racing. Raced in IMCO Winter-Nationals in Florida; but, turned out to be very light winds and I didn’t do well in light winds simply because by coincidence most of my sailboat and windsurfing had been in fairly strong winds. After seeing I wasn’t near good enough for Olympics I concentrated on just having fun, with the IMCO, my custom 9ft short board or little shorter Bic Electric Rock. I always loved the IMCO as it could handle any wind (including our local inland lakes, gusty winds.) The local windsurfing scene died out and like many my gear got stored away for a later day. I finally got my IMCO up to the lake two weeks ago; but, with 15-25 mph winds and only my 7.4 sail with me (forecast had been for light winds) at 67 years old now I was wise enough to realize the winds were too strong that day (especially as I was worn out from just rigging and carrying everything to the water and then squeezing into my wetsuit.) But, hopefully within the next few days I’ll be able to give it another try. Watching the RU-vid videos, like yours, has definitely got me wanting to “hook-in and hang-on” again. Happy sailing.

@@kbrown4ou Wow. You've got some real history. I wish I had someone like you to guide me 30 years ago when I got my first board. It took me waiting until several years ago to get the gumption to go out and aquire some of these old classics and I've had to be self-taught. I have an original Malibu, as well... but I can only really ride it in a real blow. These boards are loads of fun, but at 46 I wish I had gone for more formal instruction 30 years ago. Agreed. It's sad how the Windsurf scene has dwindled. My area is perfect for longboarding / raceboarding.... but with the way the Gear war outpaced the market in the '90s, no one... and I mean NO ONE in my area knows much about it, or how great it could be again. It's sad. It's such a thrilling sport. Keep on inspiring...the next generation needs it.

@@wlyounce375 The one positive thing I’ve been seeing is the Windsurfer LT One-Design class that appears to have rekindled the original spirit of windsurfing in several places of the world- except, sadly, for in the U.S. (to the best of my knowledge.) One board & one sail is so much simpler (and cheaper) than what the sport evolved into.

@@kbrown4ou I met the owner of East of Maui in Annapolis, who sells the LT. It is a great design...IF I didn't already have so many old raceboards already I would probably have pitched in for one. Hopefully, that following will make its way to the States. They look like alot of fun.