Vintage Equipe performance?

Hey, y'all!

Anyone have/remember the first Equipe? That is, the model produced '86 - '88, 210 liters volume, winged tail, kind of a big brother to the classic Mistral Malibu.

Nevin Sayre figured prominently in its advertising at the time, endorsing it with something like '...a debt of gratitude for much of the rapid success I have had in my racing career.'

What do you think/remember of its performance, pros and cons?

Mark H. The Bronx

I don't know anything about this board but I heard a rumor that there will be a vintage class (circa 1987 gear) at the Martha's Vineyard Windsurf Challenge this year. It is the 15th Challenge and the criteria will be any board/sail that was around in '87 when Nevin and friends started the Challenge. It would be worth buying if you wan to enter the MVWC. Marc

I had a great top-end and handled high winds pretty good with the narrow tail. I think the newer Equipes moved their range down to lighter winds.

The XR version was very light and fast; the only drawback I remember with mine was the a-box finbox, which you could always change out for a powerbox.

Sixteen years since the board was first marketed has yielded a 'lifetime' of technological innovations. Having ridden one once, I'd compare its performance in the same vein that I'd say a Model A has to a 5.0 liter Mustang.

'One man's trash...' and all that. Don't waste money on one. If it's all you have, great. Still beats sitting on the beach wishing you had something to ride.

Respectfully,

John Crumpley JAWS Jax, Fl

Take a look at one of the new AHD boards; the tail looks awfully similar to that '88 Equipe! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it...

Thanks, guys, for the responses.

Interesting about truth in history, Dan. Mistral credited Rick Naish with partnering Harold Iggy for the 'original' Equipe's development.

Seems to me the Equipe II is really the III. There was this first design, 210L volume mostly up front, thin tail, smaller centerboard, quad concave hull. In '89 came the increase to 235L volume, placed further back with the centerboard well and in the tail, rails parallel, double concave hull, sister to the One-Design. Finally the 258L.

I'd hope the original would be versatile, fast and fun. It certainly was well received at the time. I don't remember sailing it, but have loads of time on the 'old' Malibu. Great top end for a board its size, stable yet maneuverable. That maneuverability is probably what contributes to the 'new' AHD tail design.

I infer that the idea for the original Equipe was to rail it upwind, tilting it onto 2 of its 4 concaves. That concept was way improved with the 235L design, although I find it hard to believe that the original could be 'smoked' downwind in a blow by the 235L or the 258L. Top end and downwind reaches should have been the original's strengths. The later designs gave it the light air and upwind components.

In regards to recommending one purchase the 'vintage' version or not, I think that, despite the vast tech improvements over the years, some old board designs can offer a great ride, provided one knows what one is getting into. I would recommend one to someone only for very specific reasons.

In fact, as a longboard lover, I think they have generally always been, but are definitively so now, for a niche-group. Because of stability and light air gliding ability, they have always been touted as good beginner boards, but I've never thought they really were (except maybe a couple), certainly not now, when technology HAS rendered then obsolete for that purpose. The past few years new designs are so far superior as 'beginner' boards that it really does offer the opportunity to bring new folks in to rejuvenate the sport.

Hmmm, the MVWC, though...bears some thought.

Mark H. The Bronx

There was a larger Equipe, just before or after the IMCO.

<snip>

This is not the signature you are looking for. Move along.

course. The current IMCO (NOT the Prodigy) is the second generation Equipe down to the inch. Same mold, but in many ways totally detuned from the lighter, stiffer, faster better Equipe. The Equipe 2, as you know, is much bigger and higher performing than all of the prior iterations of the Equipe.

I did omit Rick Naish but not because he lacked input but because I THINK he didn't actually shape the protos but was the chief designer for the Mistral production development at the time. So he gets the design credit for the production version. Harold shaped almost all of the WBA world cup race boards for Nevin and Robby.

The winger tail IMO is less about maneuverability and more bringing straight rails farther back on the board without killing control in chop. Plus a bit of increased volume in the tail for planing but still maintaining control and speed with a narrow release. F2's huge race board uses wingers at one foot off to bring it's tail width under the production board world championship dimensional limits, so it appears that there exist many reasons for board design, not all of them performance related.

BTW, I do think the second generation Equipe was significantly faster in all conditions than the original. Rearward volume distribution, mast track, straps and centerboard well moved way back.

'Sorry for not being clear, Dan, I forget that the Superlight was an IMCO. After the 234 liter IMCO replaced the Superlight as the One Design board, I believe that they made a larger Equipe either that year or a year or so later. Maybe Gregg Cattanach can clear this up as he used to race (maybe still does) the board I am talking about. Gregg, I'm talking about your Equipe with the Larry Tuttle centerboard.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong.

On Sun, 26 May 2002 18:06:03 -0400, 'Dan Weiss'

This is not the signature you are looking for. Move along.

Yeah, Jerry, you're right on. That's the 2nd gen. Equipe I mean.