Islander Sailboard

Question
Hi Windlover,

So I did exactly what you say NOT to do--I just bought some old windsurfing gear and am missing some parts that I need to replace in order to make the equipment work. It is an Islander Sailboard with a very large sail that looks to be too big for the boom (triangle sail). It has grommets across the foot of the sail as if there should be something it attaches to, but I currently only have the board, the mast, the boom, and the sail. I am also missing a daggerboard--but I am a born and raised sailor (big boats though)  so I'm sure I can improvise with that.

The board has two places that look like they are both for a mast (not sure what the second one is for) and I am definitely missing some kind of deck plate/mast foot. All I would really need is a picture or two of what the system is supposed to look like and I'm sure I could either find the pieces or alter the board to make it work. Have any advice (besides trashing the entire thing...)?

Thanks so much for helping us all out with these questions!

Susannah

Answer
Hey Susannah,

You are missing what is called the 'mast base'. On those older boards, they were all manufacturer specific. The two holes in the board were to allow two different mast positions. The 'mast base' would go in one hole and then there was plug attached by a line that went into the other hole. This was in case the rig got separated from the board, the plug would keep the rig attached to the board by the line connected to the mast base. As most early day boards were made in Europe, all of them were designed this way because all European countries required that there be some type of safety leash so that the sail would not become separated from the board. The US never required the use a safety leash but most people attached them so that there would be no loose parts rolling around on the deck.

As for finding a replacement base to fit your board, the odds are very slim. You could try ebay and craigslist but the bases back then were very manufacturer specific and are now very difficult to find. I also have no pictures of an old style base.

As for sailing without the daggerboard, yeah you can do it but it will be very difficult to learn to sail without it. It would be like trying to sail a big boat without the keel. LIke a keel, a daggerboard provides lateral resistance to the wind to create forward momentum.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover