The Mistral Maui was introduced in 1982 as an allround 'fun board'. A single fin board with Centreboard and 6 footstraps the Maui represented a golden time in sailboarding as it was a board that could be used to learn on but also for more experienced sailors to begin to experiment in higher winds and waves.
The 1982 board specs were :
Weight 18 kg
Volume 200 lt
Dimensions 365 cm Length 66.5 cm width
Construction Polycoren/PU
By 1984 the second generation Maui came out. The biggest change was the removal of the outdated socket mast base system, replaced by the first generation sliding mast track system that allowed both a quick connect of the rig to the board and also the ability to adjust the position of the rig while sailing by pushing the famous red lever. Further changes were made to include a revamped Centreboard slot and changes to the footstrap positions.
The 1984 board specs were :
Weight 18 kg
Volume 205 lt
Dimensions 365 cm Length 66.5 cm width
Construction Polycoren/PU
By 1985 the Maui had evolved further into a larger volume board and new forward footstraps to make it more comfortable to sail upwind.
The 1985 board specs were :
Weight 19 kg
Volume 230 lt
Dimensions 365 cm Length 68 cm width
Construction Polycoren/ABS
By 1987 the Maui name had been dropped from the product line. The Mistral Equip was the closest board to the previous Mauis.
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed with Mistral 5.3 Powerhead sail (1983) at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria Australia 2025
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed during restoration 2024
Mistral Maui (1984) photographed during restoration 2024
Mistral Maui (1984) Mast Track photographed during restoration 2024
Mistral Maui (1984) Footstraps photographed during restoration 2024
AUTHORS COMMENTS : The 1984 Mistral Maui is one of my favourite boards to sail. It is the kind of board that will get you home even when the wind drops to nothing as it has plenty of volume and a centreboard. At the same time if the wind whips up, it can handle heavy conditions and get you back to safety. I think it is in its element in 10-15 knots with a sail in the 5.0-6.0 sqm range.
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