Using a Mistral Sail on F2 Board

Question
QUESTION: Hi- I am looking to get back into windsurfing after over 20 years.  I have the opportunity to pick up a used f2 Strato that appears to be working and has all the parts and rigging, including a sail.  I have an extra sail from a mistral taloah that although is 20 years it is in near perfect condition.

Can I use this sail on the board?  I believe the mistral sail is a gastra sail and the f2 is a neil pryde.

Thanks in advance

Luis

ANSWER: Hey Luis,

The older Mistral sail will work fine on the newer board. The only thing to realize is that the Mistral sail may rig a bit differently if the mast stiffness is much different than the mast that will be with the F2. Older sails were not quite so dependent on stiffness. Most older Gastra sails want a fairly stiff mast. Probably in the range of 25-29 IMCS. It may say something on the bottom of the sail as to what stiffness, length, and boom size recommended for that sail. If the newer mast is within 2 points of the older sail IMCS, it should work fine.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick answer.  I'm not sure the production year of the F2, but the Strato is probably around the same time 1987-1995 as the Mistral.  I remember the mistral mast being aluminum, but not sure.

I'm picking up the board tonight and will be better able to assess the gear then and see if the IMCS numbers are even legible.

Thanks again

Answer
Hey Luis,

The old Mistral aluminum masts were quite stiff. But, the best effort is to just rig the sail on the mast that comes with the F2 and see how it looks. As I mentioned before, older sails were not quite so demanding on the mast stiffness as newer sails.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover