Mistral Superlight plugs

Question
I have now aquired an older Mistral Superlight (made in Switzerland,I am told
it was produced between 1980-1984). It has two 2inch diameter plugs. One
is
three inches in front of the forward mast hole (its is a two holer), and the
second plug is about 2 and 1/2 feet from the nose. They are more like a flat
head screw with the head 2 inches in diameter and the thread about 1/2 inch
in diameter and maybe 1 and 1/2 inches deep.... Are these vent plugs??
Thanks,

Mike Harrison

Answer
Hey Mike,

The two holes in the middle of the board are for the mast and the mast retention plug. In the early days of windsurfing, most board makers had a retention cord in case the mast popped out of the board, the retention plug/cord would keep the mast attached to the board. With newer technology and design, they have eliminated this from modern boards. The two holer design allowed for two mast positions.

The forward plug  was something for the European use boards. Most European countries required another safety leash. On Mistral boards, there was a small round grommet molded into the mast base that a stretchy rope was attached to and then attached to this front plug. This plug was depressed like a small bowl with a cross bar at the surface level. The leash attached to the crossbar. Mistral offered a replacement plug for this for boards sold in the USA and that is what is on your board. Even with the two holer design and retention plug, boards sold in Europe required the safety leash. Vent plugs were somthing that came later with certain designs of boards. The newest technology of boards don't require any vent plugs.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover