Mistral Superlight Competition Centerboard Cover

Question
QUESTION: Windlover, Two Questions: I am looking for a replacement for the centerboard cover on my Mistral Superlight.  There are screw holes that look like they're used for such a thing and I seem to remember seeing some sort of cover over these older boards' centerboards.  Problem is when I have the centerboard anywhere past full up water shoots into the slot and causes a lot of drag, slowing me down. If I reef on a big sail and get some speed I can actually make a sort of rooster tail at this point.  I've searched Big Winds and Ocean Air (not called them though) and have seen nothing.  Thanks for the Help.  Question #2.  Who are you?

Thanks, Marty B. from Long Beach, Ca.

ANSWER: Hey Marty,

As for Q #2, I'm just an old guy that loves to sail, ski, snowboard, & mt. bike. I've been enjoying wind and gravity for many years. It's what keeps me young.

As for a cover for your centerboard, I don't really recall a cover for them. I know that there is usually a seal that goes on the bottom of the board. It is two hard plastic rails with flexible plastic slats that cover the hole. The daggerboard just slides between the slats and the slats keep the water out. I replaced the ones on my older Equipe a while back. I'm fairly sure I got it through OceanAirSports, now WindsurfingHatteras. I can't look at their site with my Mac so not sure if they still have them available. The only other resource I can recommend is to check out www.worldwindsurfing.com. A lot to sort through but lots of shops and such listed there.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Windlover, I am almost positive about the centerboard cover but I will ask Jeff at Long Beach Winsurf. I just left the board with WhitStik in Gardena. It's going to get a few dings repaired, a complete new gel coat top and bottom, new paint striping; its going to look so nice I'm not going to want to get it wet!

Answer
Hey Marty,

I don't recall for sure whether the Superlights had bottom seals or not. Even with a cover on the top, you will still get the water coming up into the slot for the daggerboard and creating drag. You just won't have the rooster tail happening. Having a seal on the bottom is how the One Design and Equipe boards are designed. It sure seems like the Superlights had the bottom seals but yours may be one of the early models that were built like their predecessors, the Comp and Comp Light, that had no seals and got the rooster tail effect at higher speeds. Best of luck finding your cover or some seals. Hope the refurbishment turns out great.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover