Hi Steve, I also have a phantom 295L that a purchased about a year ago. I got the base with the board as the shop Windsurf n Snow in Sydney promoted me to order one with the board. It is very similar to the old mistral bottom parts on the end of the universal. Will dig it out and photo it for you shortly. Regarding sails I have tried a 10m formula race sail a 8.6m reflex and 7.5m turbo. The 10m felt too big and I struggled with it. The 8.6m reflex was ok but I felt that a 8.5m severne race sail or similar would be a better fit and be a lot faster in non planing conditions. 7.5m turbo was pretty good in about 22 knots which I played with and then changed to a slalom board after the sea breeze filled in. The real advantage with the 295 is that it will reach at quite a fast speed and gybe like the an old style slalom board once you get it going which I actually really enjoyed. I mainly use to get to areas that I want to sail but can't due to the wind shadows from cliffs and moored boats to get through around Sydney harbour. Haven't really experimented with the fins much just used the Drake G10 that came with it, which seems pretty good. The board is pretty durable but also has a bit of weight to it so I normally add a metre to what I would carry on a slalom board. I haven't really enjoyed sailing it in non planing conditions as it hasn't got the glide a real longboard has, but it does fit in my LWB van. I'm around 85kg and describe my ability as average and not changing quickly!

The Neil Pryde one that is used on the RSX AND RS1 fits. It's the same mast track. See here.

www.neilpryde.com/?Itemid=305&category_id=4&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&product_id=32


As far as sails and fins go, to get the most out of the board, you really need to use a sail designed for raceboards with some low down grunt. I'm only 64kg and use the 7.5 Starboard/Severne one design sail for the board. It's a scaled down version of the Severne Raceboard sails and with the right rigging adjustments does the job for me across a large wind range. Was very hard to get though. There's also an 8.5 version of the sail, which I'd say is the same as the Severne Raceboard 8.5. The standard fin does the job in most conditions, but can be prone to spinout if pushed too hard in medium to strong winds.

Hope all that helps!! Any questions give a yell.

Hi Steve

I have a mast base I can lend you. The mistral and F2 bases for sliding mast tracks are fairly similar and I think one of these will fit.

It would be worth sharing your experiences in general on here once you get it on the water.

Will also be interesting to see how it goes in comparison to a longer raceboard (eg my mistral one design or F2 lightning) across the range of conditions.

Bring on some longer distance open water sailing in Tassie.

Clarence

Nope, does not glide as well a longer raceboard, but is still a fun board to own. I have the older 295 which has less volume than the L, but have no issues with it floating my 100ishkgs. I will admit that if I could have found one for a reasonable price I would have bought a 377, but they just aren't around.

I still grab my old F2 Lightning for the really light days, especially when my sailing buddies are on similar, as I get left behind otherwise. The 295 for me comes into its own when I can only take limited gear. It really is versatile, it can carry a quite big sail, and I feel really confident that I will get back no matter what the wind does. It feels like a big slalom to me with the added benefit of a dagger board so heading upwind is easy. Stable and easy to sail.

I had a session recently at Queens Beach at Redcliffe, I was on my own and it was reasonably choppy, and not much wind. I would not have gone out my Slalom board, as I am only an intermediate at best. I would not have been happy trying to water start, and would have been a lot. I know my narrower old race board would have been a pain also in the chop.

However on the Phantom, I only dropped the sail once and did not get wet. Admittedly I was really cautious on my Jibes and Tacks, but I was able to take my time and felt really in control. I still had heaps of fun as it is still quite responsive.

Probably best to qualify it as a good all rounder for a heavier sailor. I think it would be different for a lighter sailor.

I think that if I were only able to keep one of my current boards the Phantom would be my choice.

Just don't tell my wife, I don't want her getting any ideas.

. My next question is in regards to the dagger board. It seems ridiculously hard to get up and down. Pretty much impossible on the water. The best solution I have been able to research is to rub soap on the gasket. Seriously, is that the answer to getting a brand new board working correctly?

If it is too loose you will find that when you start planning the dagger board will be forced down and that is not what you want to happen when the board is planning.

Silicon spray should help. To get it down Step on the back of the blade first to get in initiated and then hook your toes round the front and pull it back. Slide it forward with the outside part of your front foot to get it up. That's why we wear booties! Eventually you'll be able to do it without thinking.
Never try it with you hands as you'll hurt your back.