any feedback on the windglider?
Marc2700
Does it sail decently? What's it like? Thanks in advance for any information
that you can provide.
M. Coe
ECavan6070
The windglider is an excellent learning tool, expecially for kids. My niece,
sailing with a broken arm was able to sail it, tack it and end up where she
started. I will hopefully have my 3 year old on it this summer. It's floaty
enough for me to ride with him.
Dave.
Jack Barrett
Marc2700 <marc...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990324183224...@ng-ce1.aol.com...
> Just would like to know if any of you have had any experiences with this
thing.
> Does it sail decently? What's it like? Thanks in advance for any
information
> that you can provide.
>
>
Greetings Fellow Shredder,
I own a small school in NY and my students love the
windglider !
My lessons average 30 minutes teaching the basics . I would get one if you
have children. I have twin boys that have been sailing 2 years after
learning on one .
If you have any further questions feel free to email back . Good Luck
PS Try the web page : http://www.windglider.com
Barbara , Jack , Eric & Dylan ( 9yr old twins that shred )
HUDSON BAY SAILBOARDING
http://members.tripod.com/~windsurf_2
jack...@frontietnet.net
914 - 496 - 0860 Phone & Fax
Barry Ritchey
Marc,
I jumped on one at last year's Toucan. Actually I put one of
them together too. It's faster to take a longboard off a
vehicle that it is to inflate the Windglider. I realize they
needed to compromise to keep the cost down, but the quality
of the plastic fittings makes me wonder if the thing would
make it thru a season in one piece (that's pure speculation
- perhaps others have experience with this). I sailed it in
very choppy water (the wind had died but the water was still
choppy) and wasn't impressed with its upwind ability in 2-3
mph winds. I was going to demand that our local windsurfing
club buy one, but I think we'll stay with the Revo and check
into the Star Go.
Try one before you buy. Even put one together and take it
apart.
-Barry "NM-0"
Ellen Faller
I have a summer's worth (5 months) of experience with WindGliders.
First of all, the WG is excellent at what it is designed to do, but it
does not pretend to be a substitute for a regular windsurfing board. It
is designed to be a watercraft that is fun, functional, and easily
transportable. It comes with a video which includes most of what you
need to know about assembling, using, and learning to sail.
Nearly anyone can learn to sail on one in less than half an hour. I am
a certified ws instructor and teach windsurfing here in CT and RI. I
began using one in early June last year a few months after they became
available. I have had kids of 6 yrs thru adults of 70+ yrs learn the
basics in a half hour, and they were *on* the board, sailing, and not in
the water or uphauling for that period of time. Kids of 2 to 6 yrs have
sailed with me standing behind them or sitting on it with them also. A
lot of people were interested in learning on the WG who would not try it
on a regular learning board such as a HiFly Primo (which I also use for
teaching). The largest person to learn on it was just over 200 lb, and I
think that would be about the upper limit for it. I don't use it in wind
much over 10-12 mph for teaching however, or in choppy water, as it is
not really designed for those conditions. As an inflatable with
dimensions roughly 4 ft x 8 ft, 6 inches high, it is not a substitute
for a hard board. It has a semicircular centerboard and similar fin, so
it does sail up wind, and is best as a rig-steered vessel.
Beyond the basics, I have had adults learning the steps of, and
practicing other moves such as fast tacks, jibes, duck jibes, helicopter
tacks, and other freestyle. It is great for that as it is a stable
platform with a very light rig and it saves a lot of energy, uphauling,
and bruising. You can also sail around with a bunch of kids on it; you
can sit down and sail it; you can use it as a simple kayak, tow it
behind a boat, use it as a float or an air mattress, etc.
It is convenient because it will fit in the back seat of your car in
its bag. I have a VW Jetta and that is where it travels. Yes, it does
take some time to pump it up, but think of it as your 15 minutes on a
Stairmaster, or do it while having your coffee, get your kid to do it,
or buy a higher volume pump to plug into the cigarette lighter.
They were a brand new product last year, and as such they had a few
wrinkles which needed to be ironed out. I found the company to be very
open to suggestion and in offering help. In the course of this last
winter, they have changed to a new boom head, a new universal joint, a
new padded bag, and made a few other minor changes to other parts. I
will be getting another one this year because they are so useful and so
much fun.
I would be happy to answer any other questions you have about the
WindGlider. I have no idea where you are, or I'd offer to give you a
demo.
Ellen
sail...@ameritel.net
> Actually I put one of them together too. It's faster
> to take a longboard off a vehicle that it is to inflate
> the Windglider.
With a Sevylor 12v inflator/deflator ($29) it takes less than
4 minutes.
> I realize they needed to compromise to keep the cost down,
> but the quality of the plastic fittings makes me wonder
>if the thing would make it thru a season in one piece
>(that's pure speculation - perhaps others have experience
> with this).
There were some problems, Mistral/NorthSports stood behind the
purchasers/dealers with upgrades for the UJ, downhaul strap etc.
You can purchase the upgrades for last years model for not many $$.
But, if it isn't broken, don't fix it, so I've never had to upgrade
the Glider I have.
> I sailed it in
> very choppy water (the wind had died but the water was still
> choppy) and wasn't impressed with its upwind ability in 2-3
> mph winds.
Where did you stand on the Glider? Upwind performance can be
improved/diminished alot by proper weight distribbution.
Also you have to be sure the fins are all the way up to the hull.
Also, proper downhaul/outhaul can hve a significant effect.
It's natural, designed in, upwind "tendancy" is one of the neatest things
about the Wind Glider
> I was going to demand that our local windsurfing
> club buy one, but I think we'll stay with the Revo and check
> into the Star Go.
I'd suggest you reconsider this decision!
No "instant success" with either the "Go" or the Revo. I've used the Revo
quite a bit, and the Glider is much more "beginner friendly"!
Too big for kids, as well. Also the instructor cannot ride along to emphasize
the techniques learned on the beach. I ride along until I'm sure they
understand the techniques (steering/tacking/jibing) and have the confidence
to be on the water by themselves.
And, most of your students will get wet (all wet) from falling
in while uphauling/boat wakes/etc.
More than 75% of my Windglider students did not fall in even once. That's
confidence building, and what I call instant success. Plus most of them sail
for over an hour, on their own, on the first lesson. I watch them, and check
with them about every 15 min. to see how they are doing and if they are
picking up any bad habits. Corrective instruction takes care of potential
technique problems before they become real problems. After an hour or two on
the Glider, the majority of my students move right onto a Mistral Superlight
or F2 Phoenix 340, and are able to tack, step jibe, and sail back upwind to
the launch by the end of the day on bopth the Glider and the longboard. The
skills/balance learned on the Glider are IMHO just what they need to move
onto the longboard with the confidence and balance they need to avoid
becoming discouraged. Several students have asked to move back to the Glider
as it's more fun at this stage and they stay alot dryer. Hope this helps!
> Try one before you buy. Even put one together and take it
> apart.
Couple of tips! Keep the WG either out in the water (at least 18" deep, or up
on the beach. The wash zone gets too much sand into things and they become
hard to get apart. Soap the mast and boom joints before you assemble them,
and use a wrap or 2 or vinyl electrical tape on each joint and over the boom
pins to keep the sand out. Keep the Glider inflated at the lake or beach
house if at all possible. Most leaks are caused by creases and folds during
storage. Mines till going strong after about 50 students 40 days of hard use.
later
sailquik US 3704 Ph.(301)872-9459 (In So. MD)
LvL I Instuctor (252)995-3204 (In Avon, NC)
F2/MPB/Sailworks/Tectonics/True Ames/Chinook/Kokatat/Da Kine
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
TomBuckOb2
to windsurf. The sail and handling dyamics of the rig are very similar to a
bigger board. Most surprisingly to me, the easiest way to turn it around is to
gybe. Bet these kids will be gread gybers.
Anyway, I got it so our visitors, friends and guests would have something to
sail other that a 9M sail on a 295 with a 50 cm fin. It is GREAT for that.
Tom - Chicago
Marc2700
Being a 30 year old avid sailor who is in good shape and likes performance, I
am getting the feeling that I would outgrow the windglider pretty quickly. Do
you think I would be better off just buying a longboard?
M. Coe
FSQRL
>am getting the feeling that I would outgrow the windglider pretty quickly.
>Do
>you think I would be better off just buying a longboard?
>
>M. Coe
Yes, there is no substitute for a longboard. Once you get one it is recommended
that you never get rid of it. Even if you get proficiant(sp?) on a shortboard.
Have fun,
Squirrel
Berkeley Windsurf & Snowboard
>
> Marc,
>
> I jumped on one at last year's Toucan. Actually I put one of
> them together too. It's faster to take a longboard off a
> needed to compromise to keep the cost down, but the quality
> of the plastic fittings makes me wonder if the thing would
> make it thru a season in one piece (that's pure speculation
> very choppy water (the wind had died but the water was still
> choppy) and wasn't impressed with its upwind ability in 2-3
> club buy one, but I think we'll stay with the Revo and check
> into the Star Go.
>
> apart.
>
My experience after owning one for a year is very similar to Barry's. I
found it limiting in scope: Students get bored easily and upwind
performance is less than spectacular in really light or strong winds.
It goes upwind OK in medium winds if you know what you are doing, but
you have to "nurse" it, and most students weren't able to do this
consistently, and most got bored with it quickly.
--
Will Harper
mail to: bwa...@slip.net
http://www.slip.net/~bwands
**********************************************************************
Berkeley Windsurf and Snowboard Windsports
1601 University Ave. 1595 East Franciso Blvd
Berkeley, CA 94703 San Rafael, CA 94901
(510) 843-9283 (415) 459-1171
**********************************************************************
Barry Ritchey
sail...@ameritel.net wrote:
> With the small cap. foot pump, yes.
> With a Sevylor 12v inflator/deflator ($29) it takes less than
> 4 minutes.
Reply: Still faster to pull off a longboard from the car
rack. Unless you don't have a rack and that's where the WG
shines.
> Where did you stand on the Glider? Upwind performance can be
> improved/diminished alot by proper weight distribbution.
Reply: I stood all over it. Just like a student would. I
turned off the WIA certified instructor part of my mind and
pretended to be a beginner.
> Also you have to be sure the fins are all the way up to the hull.
Reply: They were. Like I said, I did the demo in very light
wind and big chop. Conditions that favor a longer waterline
- a longboard.
> Also, proper downhaul/outhaul can have a significant effect.
Reply: Just tried a couple of settings trying to get more
power in the choppy water.
> It's natural, designed in, upwind "tendancy" is one of the neatest things
> about the Wind Glider
Reply: Nothing beats a classic Windsurfer One-Design for the
upwind tendency... Or any longboard with a small fin,
daggerboard all the way down, and the mast track back.
> No "instant success" with either the "Go" or the Revo. I've used the Revo
> quite a bit, and the Glider is much more "beginner friendly"!
Reply: You're probably right... for the first few hours of
sailing. But after that, I'd vote for a modern, and wide,
longboard.
> Too big for kids, as well. Also the instructor cannot ride along to emphasize
> the techniques learned on the beach....snip...
Reply: Well, last year my daughter (8 at the time) could
sail it (Revo) with the mast all the way back using a 1.7.
All three of our family can stand and sail around on the
Revo - 170 + 140 + 70 pounds = a lot of flotation. Not as
much as the WG though.
In conclusion: Although the WG is conceptually a great board
(BTW, thanks Ken Winner for developing and marketing it), I
still favor the Revo as the best bang for the buck beginner
board - unless our windsurfing club wins the lottery. The
Revo doesn't have to be inflated (you can tell I wouldn't
like whitewater rafting) and doesn't become deflated when
people drag it thru rocks, cactus (New Mexico), glass. I
feel that beginners can relate to it (Revo) better and will
not outgrow it as fast. With that said, a Windglider would
still be a nice addition in a school's stable.
-Barry
b...@spam_sync.com
> performance, I am getting the feeling that I would outgrow the
> windglider pretty quickly. Do you think I would be better off just
Yes. Buy a used longboard and rig for a few hundred bucks. If you don't
live in a very windy area and would continue using the longbard I would
suggest getting a better used one such as a Mistral Equipe. The
Winglider looks like a great tool for kids and folks without much
coordination skills or who have been sitting on the sideline of life for
too long but from your description of yourself, if you got a Winglider I
think you would be pretty depressed after Grandma passes you on her
underpowered long board.
Ben
--
Ben Kaufman
antispam: To Email me, change domain from spam_sync to pobox.
- 03/25/99
Robert Youdan
over and you have a bunch of sailors in the mood for a laugh!
Rob
sail...@ameritel.net wrote in message <7de3lr$j4$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Barry:
>> Actually I put one of them together too. It's faster
>> to take a longboard off a vehicle that it is to inflate
>> the Windglider.
>With the small cap. foot pump, yes.
>With a Sevylor 12v inflator/deflator ($29) it takes less than
>4 minutes.
>
>> I realize they needed to compromise to keep the cost down,
>> but the quality of the plastic fittings makes me wonder
>>if the thing would make it thru a season in one piece
>>(that's pure speculation - perhaps others have experience
>> with this).
>There were some problems, Mistral/NorthSports stood behind the
>purchasers/dealers with upgrades for the UJ, downhaul strap etc.
>You can purchase the upgrades for last years model for not many $$.
>But, if it isn't broken, don't fix it, so I've never had to upgrade
>the Glider I have.
>
>> I sailed it in
>> very choppy water (the wind had died but the water was still
>> choppy) and wasn't impressed with its upwind ability in 2-3
>> mph winds.
>Where did you stand on the Glider? Upwind performance can be
>improved/diminished alot by proper weight distribbution.
>Also you have to be sure the fins are all the way up to the hull.
>Also, proper downhaul/outhaul can hve a significant effect.
>It's natural, designed in, upwind "tendancy" is one of the neatest things
>about the Wind Glider
>
>> I was going to demand that our local windsurfing
>> club buy one, but I think we'll stay with the Revo and check
>> into the Star Go.
>I'd suggest you reconsider this decision!
>
> No "instant success" with either the "Go" or the Revo. I've used the Revo
>quite a bit, and the Glider is much more "beginner friendly"!
>
>Too big for kids, as well. Also the instructor cannot ride along to
emphasize
>the techniques learned on the beach. I ride along until I'm sure they
>understand the techniques (steering/tacking/jibing) and have the confidence
>to be on the water by themselves.
>
>And, most of your students will get wet (all wet) from falling
>in while uphauling/boat wakes/etc.
>
>More than 75% of my Windglider students did not fall in even once. That's
>confidence building, and what I call instant success. Plus most of them
sail
>for over an hour, on their own, on the first lesson. I watch them, and
check
>with them about every 15 min. to see how they are doing and if they are
>picking up any bad habits. Corrective instruction takes care of potential
>technique problems before they become real problems. After an hour or two
on
>the Glider, the majority of my students move right onto a Mistral
Superlight
>or F2 Phoenix 340, and are able to tack, step jibe, and sail back upwind to
>the launch by the end of the day on bopth the Glider and the longboard. The
>skills/balance learned on the Glider are IMHO just what they need to move
>onto the longboard with the confidence and balance they need to avoid
>becoming discouraged. Several students have asked to move back to the
Glider
>as it's more fun at this stage and they stay alot dryer. Hope this helps!
>
>> Try one before you buy. Even put one together and take it
>> apart.
>
Robert Youdan
normal board. So the WG has performed exactly as it was designed to, I
suggest.
Rob
Berkeley Windsurf & Snowboard wrote in message <36FA75...@slip.net>...
>Barry Ritchey wrote:
>>
>> Marc,
>>
>> I jumped on one at last year's Toucan. Actually I put one of
>> them together too. It's faster to take a longboard off a
>> vehicle that it is to inflate the Windglider. I realize they
>> needed to compromise to keep the cost down, but the quality
>> of the plastic fittings makes me wonder if the thing would
>> make it thru a season in one piece (that's pure speculation
>> - perhaps others have experience with this). I sailed it in
>> very choppy water (the wind had died but the water was still
>> choppy) and wasn't impressed with its upwind ability in 2-3
>> mph winds. I was going to demand that our local windsurfing
>> club buy one, but I think we'll stay with the Revo and check
>> into the Star Go.
>>
>> Try one before you buy. Even put one together and take it
>> apart.
William Fragakis
1) We usually have to physically remove people from them at Learn to
Windsurf Clinics because its easy and fun for a beginner. It makes those
first hours VERY easy.
2) It's a great freestyle learning tool. Go out in 4-8 knts of wind when
you're too lazy to get out the 9.5 and learn something new.
3) Never underestimate the virtue of playing "bumper cars" on them.
Finally a contact sport for windsurfers (well, one that lets you sail away
with all your teeth in place). I think it'd be fun to have contact slalom
races, king of the lake (a la king of the hill, etc.) The rigs are small
and light and the rubber hulls just bounce off each other. YA CAN"T DO
THAT on an Equipe!
Regards,
William
RandacF
the point. It is like complaining "my landsailer sinks in water". Most
everyone has had the experience of seeing friends or newcomers trying to learn
to windsurf and spending most of their time trying to climb back on the board.
With the windglider you can take someone out and they actually have some fun
instead of a lot of frustration. You can also take kids out with you.
Randy
Tauras
RandacF wrote in message <19990326092613...@ng27.aol.com>...
Not to mention getting hurt if you don't clear the board during a fall, the
windglider seems like the perfect entry vehicle into the sport with the
blow-up board that will not bite you during your learning phase, I think the
industry as a whole owes Mr. Winner a debt of gratitude for developing this
ride and keeping what new blood we have entering the sport, learning fast
and progressing into other areas.
TomBuckOb2
Tom - Chicago
Robert
regular beginner windsurfer have tried the WG. The big plus is that I can get
two of them into the trunk of a large car. Some folk are just never gonna be
the high wind, drop everything, gearhead that I am. Fun is fun. It beats
whining on shore.
Jerry McEwen
windsurfing in their bolld, but the thing is really cheap. My friend
bought one and has used ut four times and it is falling apart.
Ellen Faller
weekend from late June to late September and it keeps on ticking. When I
wasn't teaching on it, kids were jumping on and off it on the water and
on the beach. I did put a tiny hole in it when zipping the bag up around
it one day, but the sealer they include in the kit fixed it right away.
Have the guy contact his dealer and/or the WindGlider people.
Ellen
TomBuckOb2
>windsurfing in their bolld, but the thing is really cheap. My friend
>bought one and has used ut four times and it is falling apart.
Hmmm . . .
I bought one (not a friend) and have launched it at least 30 times and just
handed it over to beginners to trash. Everything is still working just fine
and still in one piece.
Tom - Chicago
Jerry McEwen
Windsurfing Connection
Nashville, TN
http://www.coolcats.com/windsurf
I post pictures from
alt.binaries.pictures.sports.ocean.windsurfing at
http://www.coolcats.com/usenet