AHD 295

[sebastian]

does enyone know something about an AHD 295 year 96 or 97. (blue)? I
have been told it is a slalom board (130 L)

I was wondering is a good choice to master the footstraps and start
jibing.

Any comments will be welcome.

Sebas

[jfe...@ix.netcom.com]

I have owned an AHD 295 since 1997. I think the volume is 137 liters.

It was considered a pretty competitive course racing board at the
local and national level at the time that it was designed. It is not
nearly as wide as current course racing boards.

In it's wind range (~7.5 to <8.5 sails) it is fast and fun to sail
if you like a "race board" feel. It is not a loose board.

The board was designed for upwind and downwind speed. Ease of use
was probably not a primary consideration, but it is not particularly
difficult to sail. However, it is probably not a great choice for
learning to jibe. A swept back fin ( I have used a weed fin on it)
does make jibing considerably easier.

Another factor is that because of the carbon sandwich construction
the board is somewhat fragile.

If you are just learning shortboard skills, and want a board in this
size range, I would get a big Xantos. The 310 II is available on
closeout or used and is a great board - much better for learning
footstraps and jibing.

Jeff Feehan
jfe...@ix.netcom.com

[THOMAS O'BRIEN]

I had a '96 AHD 297 Free which was a detuned version of the 295 - and it
was still a b*tch to jibe. I would buy something else. (I did - a Bee
289 - superior in every way)

Tom - Chicago

[Olivier BILLARD]

I own and race on the early first 295 (light blue)
I should say now the design is really obsolete in term of upwind
sailling.
difference between fat squared assed board and 295 is nearly 10 to 15
degrees.
Finaly, the sailling sensation is not as funny as sailling a 275 board.
(high up above the sea, material not rigid enough, and weight a litle bit
too high)
that's also the main advantage of fat squared assed board, they gave same
sensation as a short slalom board.
But the I also have the feeling that the 295 is really easy to sail fast
(at least at 90% of its Vmax) and a beginner can deal with the board.
trying to reach the missing 10 % requests you to be really physical
finaly, in higher wind control of the board is still really good.

Another point I have discovered: sailling with 44cm fin is as hard as
with a 37cm one.
I just keep the 48cm for really light wind.

And it s definitly not only a board for heavier windsurfers, I m just
less than 60 kg!!!

main critics are:
not wide enough at the aft specially at the back strap.
not rigid enough
really fragile (take care of the mast on the bow) [ but I succed in
entering 7inches inside a mistral SLE with no damages for me on a port
starboard collision at start]

[Bob Zuur]

Sebas
I have an AHD 295 Pro Race. Although a great board of its type and age, it
is not the easiest board to sail unless you are a competent sailer. The
straps are near the edge and relatively difficult to get into. Gybing is
not the easiest owing to sharp rails, flat rocker and limited vee. The
latest batch of wide free rides will be much easier to sail, probably offer
better performance and will be more durable.
Cheers Bob

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