AboutPatrick Dean Expertise Windsurfing expert. 20+ years windsurfing experience. I can give advice
about learning to windsurf, the best places to learn and the best
equipment to learn on. I can also offer advice on what equipment to
purchase based on your skill level, weight and sailing location. Ask me before you buy. The boards made in the last 5 or 6 years are so much easier to sail and learn on.
An advance word of advice: stay away from buying old boards unless you know exactly what you are buying and know that all parts are there. I get so many questions about how to set up old boards that usually end up being broken or missing parts and it is impossible to buy parts for these old boards.
Try not to buy a board that is more than 5 or 6 years old. As boards age they begin to absorb water. Once that occurs the board is toast and it happens with a lot of boards over 10 years old.
When you ask questions, please let me know what part of the world you are from so I can tailor the advice to your location.
Expert: Patrick Dean Date: 4/28/2008 Subject: Mistral Pandera
Question I'm a beginner (sailed once) and I'm cheap. I just bought a Mistral "Panera" from ebay. The board is in good shape, the sail has mold on it and boom seems to be a boom, all for $ 50. I then bought two carbon fiber masts from a friend for $ 50. He told that Mistrals don't have a universal mast to sail adapter and that I have to find the one for the "Pandera" model.
So, my two questions are; Do I have to find the "Pandera" model adapter or will another boards adapter fit. Hopefully a later model?
And, how do I remove mold from a sail?
Answer Boards that old are extremely difficult to find parts for. Mistral parts are not universal for that board. No one keeps stock on old windsurfer parts. Mistral stopped making boards with mast feet like that long ago. The only online place I know that has some parts is the-house.com. Look up their website and call them to see if they still have that part. I think the correct name for that board is Pantera. If you did get some good carbon masts in that deal those alone are easily worth $50.
