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I'm really curious after glancing through the latest AW mag... I saw ads and seemingly, subliminally suggestive, references to it scattered throughout. It seems like dozens of dealers are listed, but I've never seen one at any beach and you can count the references to it on one hand in the rec.ws archives...most are associated with someone associated with it. Apparently the developer of the product, Tom Luedecke of Australia, and Windmall, AW/John Chao, think that it is going to revive windsurfing or make it more attractive and achievable for the masses...hitting several markets...kayaking and windsurfing, mostly, but also fisherman and tanning parlors. I haven't used one and haven't seen one, other than on their website and in AW, and I sincerely wish them well. It's not a bad idea, really. A sit on top, kinda kayak, that you can pop a ws rig on and actually sail it onto a plane. I had an idea for this kind of watertoy/ learning board back when I saw the first Windglider, that I thought was doomed. Inflatable with cheap componentry and it couldn't plane and they weren't cheap. I think the Kazoo concept could work with a few design changes. A 9'6', 40lb chunk of roto-molded plastic for $500. hmmmm....I bet it rides better than some of the shiist manufactured in the '80's, but from the looks and weight of it, it's not far off. I don't think it will take much market away from Starboard START, Exocet Cruiser, Bic or HiFly, which aren't very much more and are way more high performance as far as pure windsurfing is concerned. Chined rails are smart...more stability in non-planing conditions and they fool the water, once planing. The side profile makes it look as flat as an ironing board and I don't see any vee. The standard mast track and finbox is good. Maybe they could do a more high performance model with vee and nose flip in a boogie board technology for weight savings,with hard, slick bottom, that could also double as a surfboard for beginners or for very mushy waves. I would change the Playskool colors, and go with something more contemporary. It's a platform for kids to dive off of, fish off of it, it would make a great platform to do water photography from, kayak with your dog on it, small boat, sail it, teach windsurfing, explore, and you could surf it, also. They have the family fun, even on Midwest lakes, angle. Time will tell.
WARDOG
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