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Mistral TakeOff
Mistral TakeOff
The Mistral TakeOff was introduced in 1982 as one of the first production 'radical funboard' / 'wave boards'. A twin fin board with semi-retractable Centreboard and 6 footstraps the TakeOff represented a design that was already becoming outdated (for wave boards) when it was introduced. This however did not stop it being one of the most desirable boards of the time and ensured its place in windsurfing history. (AUTHORS NOTE: This is still my favourite board that I take out as often as I can because it works in both light wind as a funboard or heavy wind as a wave board)
The 1982 board specs were :
Weight 15.5 kg
Volume 155 lt
Dimensions 310 cm Length 63 cm width
Construction Polycoren/PU
The TakeOff continued to be in production until 1984 where it was available alongside the dedicated waveboards such as the Diamond Head and Hookipa
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Neil Pryde Mark Angulo RAF Wave 5.7 (1988) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria, Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Neil Pryde Mark Angulo RAF Wave 5.7 (1988) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria, Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Neil Pryde RAF CAM Dynamic 5.5sqm (1990) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria, Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
The Original Gaastra Mistral TakeOff (1982) 5.7sqm sail
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
The Original Gaastra Mistral TakeOff (1982) 5.7sqm sail
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Ezzy Wave (North Sails) 4.5 sqm (1988) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off
1982 Mistral Take Off
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed with Ezzy Wave (North Sails) 4.5 sqm (1988) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024
Initially the fins had been glued into the fin boxes and the Centreboard was heavily damaged
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (pre restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024. In this picture you can see a hole in the hull (towards the Centreboard on the left hand side) as well as the fins having been glued in place.
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024
This picture shows what the board looks like with the old footstraps removed and the deck (non skid) tape having been removed
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024
You can see in this picture how the rotating fins have been glued into the fin boxes - this took some time to remove!
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
1982 Mistral Take Off (mid restoration)
Mistral TakeOff (1982) photographed during restoration 2024
This picture shows the partial restoration of the Centreboard (reshaped but prior to repainting)
AUTHORS COMMENTS : My favorite board because it's uphaulable but small enough to have fun in the heavy wind and waves. The only downside is the Centreboard is only partially retractable. Don't get me wrong - I like the mini-centreboard because I am always sailing in off-shore wind and have to tack or point high to get back to shore, but sometimes (especially when trying to carve gybe) the centreboard makes things tricky.
Another feature of this board is its retractable fins - for me this is a nice feature that I had to rebuild when restoring the board. Often I am sailing across multiple sandbars that might only be 6 inches deep; With these fins I can have them set back such that I can sail in very shallow water without worrying about running aground.
VIDEOS (Action and Restoration series)
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