Fin Box for Mistral STS

[LakeSurf]

I just picked up a bunch of used gear yesterday and one of the things was a Mistral Competition STS board with a broken fin box -- is it possible to pick up a replacement somewhere for cheap?

[swchandler]

Trying to find an OEM Mistral finbox would be virtually impossible. However, buying a replacement finbox isn't that expensive. The difficulty comes in installing it yourself, particularly getting a good bond with the likely ASA finish on the board. Having professional replace it would cost you some money. I would guess at least $100, less the finbox component.


http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/SurfSailcom/surfsailcom.html


The windsurfing finboxes are way down at the end of page. Depending on the type, you can spend as little as $12 for a plastic Chinook, and as much as $69 for a topflight Waterat Tuttle.

If you want to tackle the repair yourself, I would suggest checking out the Board Lady's website.


http://www.boardlady.com

[joethewindsufa]

you can get a Mistral COMP SST for not much more
Franco has one in MTL

[LakeSurf]

Thanks for the responses. Mistral also responded that they don't have any since the board was made before they became "Mistral International".


How much would it affect performance if I just used the board with the dagger board and no fin? Does it make it a lot tougher for a beginner to do very basic things? Basically, I was just looking to take it out a couple times to get more used to windsurfing on a high volume board but hope to pick up a wider 160L board sometime as my main board.

[joethewindsufa]

no NO NON

i have tried a Mistral COMP SST
http://joewindsurfer.blogspot.ca/2015/03/mistral-competition-sst.html
it actually does NOT run well with just the fin in light winds
have used longboards without the keel
but NEVER a board without the fin
can u say SPIN

[LakeSurf]

[LakeSurf]

Ok, I got the fin on there:

https://s32.postimg.org/g5f4n4x6t/image.jpg

Only cost me $7 in parts too

Before the diehards rip on my "ingenuity" let me explain:

- I couldn't find the right size fin box
- I contacted Mistral and they said I was S.O.L.
- I found another post where the poster said he never found a solution and his board just sat.
- I paid $0 for the board and it's not in the best shape, so it's fine if it doesn't last
- I'm interested to see how it sails. I've only used one other much wider heavier board so will be great to compare.
- I'll probably just use it just a few times but wanted something to be able to get out on the water as this is my only current board but I'm looking for a used one.

[joethewindsufa]

if you want to do more than one ride ....

epoxy over the cracks on board and connections to the board

good luck !!

so far ... i have purchased the following boards fully functional under $300

BIC Dufour WING $50
Fanatic Ultra CAT $100
Mistral Competition SST
F2 Comet
Mistral Equipe I
Fanatic BEE 124
BIC Techno Formula
Mistral Equipe II

I have kept about half of those boards and sold the others ...
in summary you can get something decent and functional for NOT a lot of money

my first board was free too - and lasted 20 years, but was functional right away

[wynsurfer]

Good luck with that! Stay close to shore. You might end up swimming.

[cgoudie1]

I am digg'n the fin add. You might consider pouring epoxy into the old
cavity until it fills and flows over the fin root. If you hit something, or drag that
fin across the beach it'll probably pull out. Putting a new fin box in that
board would be crazy. The board does look like it'll fill up with water
if you don't seal those cracks with something (like some epoxy based
resin).

Your rebuild should be fine for displacement mode sailing. Once you plane
up, that baby is going to spin out like nothing you've ever ridden.

Good luck,

-Craig