Missed this in the UK forums:
http://forums.boards.co.uk/showthread.php/78933-Interesting-rumour-on-the-beach-here-in-Cap-Verde
North Sails (Windsurfing) and North Kites are going to be rebranded as Duotone by the parent company Boards and More who also make Fanatic and Ion. There's been some legal wrangling behind the scenes and it's not clear whether B & M lost the license or decided they didn't gain anything by licensing the name any more. Also, some conjecture elsewhere that the VC that owns North (yacht) Sails is going to try to license the name to someone else for windsurf/kite.
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Maybe I should have kept my North Naturals, They may be collectors items one day.
Alan
All my Mistral shortboards are about as collectible as Franklin Mint plates.
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Does seem rather odd. North has a pretty good name, and a long history. Brand names are worth a lot so throwing it away seems kind of foolish. BTW - Mistral is still around (or at least there is a company that is licensed to use that name.)
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
It's official. Change coming Aug 1
https://www.continentseven.com/duotone-windsurfing-new-boards-more-brand/
After reading that, I am more confused than ever. Anyway, Duotone seems like a stupid name, but if they make good gear, it probably won't matter. I've have had a few North Sails (and still have at least 1). They never seem to feel quite right, but that may be because I never used a North mast with them. North was kind of annoying in often making their masts a little different from everyone else's. Anyway, I wish Duotone well - Windsurfing needs more producers.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.