Mistral Ventura Upgrade

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Ashevillejanes
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Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Now that I have my short board selection, And taking a ride on Gary's 140 liter board, I need a board to replace my vintage Mistral Ventura long board. Any recommendations? Got one you need to move? I'm looking for high volume, high action!!

Thoughts?

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webguy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

I wouldn't think of it as volume but width. Remind everyone again of what's in the garage so we can make intelligent assessments and recommendations.

I would highly recommend* that you consider a foil ready board or one cheap enough with a deep tuttle box that you can take the chance. If you want that 100 l. board feeling on an 8-14 day or just are tired of only having 10-12 and not going anywhere. You certainly have the skills - more than a few here started foiling with much less. The days and conditions I'm up and going are ridiculous from a normal windsurfing perspective.

Until then, I'd suggest something 85ish or even in the low 90s wide or if you want an all-rounder, Mistral Equipe II, Superlight II or Kona would be my faves followed by any decent 90s raceboard.

*That's putting it lightly.

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Ashevillejanes
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Randy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

It seems their were more than one Mistral Ventura boards over the years. There was an 80's version, a 2009 version, even a SUP and perhaps more. Which one do you have?

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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nitro
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Obviously won't replace a long board, but this guy is going up for sale (as long as my new board doesn't get crunched in delivery).

Dialer 145 foil board that also windsurfs very well with a tuttle fin. $600 bucks, but no foot straps or windsurfing fin. Official ad will go up next week.

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

I have the 80's vesrion

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Thanks, good thoughts as usual. I hear what you are saying about foiling, and while it is interesting, I'm not ready to get there yet! One day. My goal is to find a fun board that will plane better in light wind conditions. I enjoy the look and feel of a long board like the ventura and want to keep that style in my quiver.

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webguy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade
Ashevillejanes wrote:

Thanks, good thoughts as usual. I hear what you are saying about foiling, and while it is interesting, I'm not ready to get there yet! One day. My goal is to find a fun board that will plane better in light wind conditions. I enjoy the look and feel of a long board like the ventura and want to keep that style in my quiver.

Early planing favors wide and short (again, ideally 85+cm wide). Glide means long and more narrow, a 90s raceboard (newer raceboards are even better but really expensive). Kona can work, too. You can look at a modern traditional, e.g. Bic Techno OD (293 w/centerboard), Fanatic Vipers*, Starboard Rios, old F2 Phoenix or Exocet Windsups with a daggerboard (Chris Pyron has a nice one that he foils on, too) if you really can't make up your mind. There's no golden medium - each choice gains and gives up depending on its length, width, volume, etc.

For me, back when I was a terrestrial windsurfer, I wanted to plane early more than anything so the van was always loaded with a Formula board (100cm)/9.5. Sometimes, I'd do the Freeformula (83cm) with either 9.5 or 8.0 but that did give up a bit of low end. Even so, there's always been a longboard in the closet for "one day". "One day" seems to be very rare though.

Be mindful of anything with a full EVA deck other than a Kona. The wrap around EVA decks cause some drag and the boards don't plane as early as they otherwise might. I had a Bic Nova that had a RS:X like shape that should have been a blast but the board just wouldn't release. Otherwise, it would have been a really nice family board.

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Thanks for the heads up, Fair deal, just out of my budget right now!

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

The Viper 85 looks like it would fill the gap too, but has the EVA deck you warned me about.

Yes definitely some conflicting requirements. I should have asked what board/type/size I should look for that has the capability to plane on lighter wind days but will still give me that long board feel.

The Viper 85 looks good but has the EVA deck you warned me about.
The Starboard Carve 155 looks great, but I can't afford the whole package. Anyone want to share the cost and split the bounty?

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HamdiD
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

If Kona one interests you, we can discuss. I have been holding onto mine as that ‘maybe one day’ thought but it’s really not happening and i am more and more invested in foiling end. My Kona one has cosmetic small dings on the deck but all in all, in great shape i think.

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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

+1 on the Kona. It is a really fun longboard that is still really nice to sail when the wind picks up.

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webguy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade
Ashevillejanes wrote:

The Viper 85 looks like it would fill the gap too, but has the EVA deck you warned me about.

Yes definitely some conflicting requirements. I should have asked what board/type/size I should look for that has the capability to plane on lighter wind days but will still give me that long board feel.

The Viper 85 looks good but has the EVA deck you warned me about. The Starboard Carve 155 looks great, but I can't afford the whole package. Anyone want to share the cost and split the bounty?

I think that's actually a Go rather than a Carve if it's the Wilmington board. It's great for starting out but it only has tuttle not deep tuttle with a) means you can't really go big with the fin for light wind and b) you can't foil it without spending $200 for an adapter plate. If you still want to split the package, PM me.

The freebie in Raleigh is an IMCO, fwiw. The Viper is a decent board but, again, for where you are not a big step forward. For someone starting out, heaven.

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Thanks Webguy, good to have a sounding board!!

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade
HamdiD wrote:

If Kona one interests you, we can discuss. I have been holding onto mine as that ‘maybe one day’ thought but it’s really not happening and i am more and more invested in foiling end. My Kona one has cosmetic small dings on the deck but all in all, in great shape i think.

Tell me more, PM or text 828-777-1022
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webguy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade
Ashevillejanes wrote:

Thanks Webguy, good to have a sounding board!!

Well, Randy says it looks like an '09-10 with a deep tuttle instead of a regular like the '14 that I'm familiar with. Probably worth checking the seller and see if it is if that makes a difference to you. If you aren't interested, let us/Randy know as he might be although he doesn't want to get in front of you if it spins your wheels.

Hey, Nitro, as a foiler, I scoff at your "small ding". Lol You should see the damage from OBX that I have to repair. Shok

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

Well, Randy says it looks like an '09-10 with a deep tuttle instead of a regular like the '14 that I'm familiar with.

Which one are we talking about here?

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Randy
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade

The Go, which looks to be 2009/2010 vintage. 155 Liter Starboard

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Ashevillejanes
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Re: Mistral Ventura Upgrade
Randy wrote:

The Go, which looks to be 2009/2010 vintage. 155 Liter Starboard

Gotcha, the Go is the one in Wilmington and he is selling as a package. I'd be interested if someone wants to combine funds

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