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Windjammer Surf Racers
"Windjammer Surf Racers" was the little-used complete name of the Windjammer (later, "Jammer") roller coaster which operated for a few years in the northern-most section of the Boardwalk.  Once home to the iconic "Wacky Soapbox Racers", this prime real estate is now occupied by Xcelerator.

Windjammer opened at Knott's in March of 1997 as part of The Boardwalk - a remake of the popular Roaring 20's area.  Designed by Togo International, Windjammer quickly became known not as the fun racing coaster it was designed to be, but instead as an operational nightmare.  Poorly designed restraints, trains that would stall in the slightest breeze, and special effects that never worked.  This roller coaster never really operated in its intended glory.

Windjammer's demise was quick, and it closed in early 2000.  Long before that time, only the red track operated, as the yellow track was plagued with greater operational problems.  At the time of Windjammer's destruction, Knott's was owned and operated by Cedar Fair, L.P., who had the cash to bring in the big guns.  Xcelerator opened in this spot in 2002.  Designed by Intamin, an international powerhouse of a roller coaster and ride manufacturing company.  Xcelerator holds the title as the world's first hydraulically launched roller coaster.  It is a big improvement over Windjammer and continues to be very popular with guests.

An aerial shot of Windjammer, courtesy of Microsoft Virtual Earth.

Windjammer's station was quite striking.  The resulting breezy, shaded area was a nice escape from the summer heat.

The lift hill and first drop.
Side-by-side loops.

Criss cross track.  It was after this section that the trains entered the slowest and most troublesome part of the ride - often stalling in the slightest breeze.

Entering the final helix.

The exit from the helix was brutal.  Hold onto your neck!
This structure was designed to create a tornado.  Another great idea on paper, but one that never really worked in reality.

The final turn and station approach.
Looking into the attraction.  Today, this is where Xcelerator's trains blast vertically into the top hat.

The space under Windjammer was utilized nicely.  Here, remote control boats float throughout the pond.  In the background on the right is "Headspin", the short-lived location of the Whirlpool/Scrambler.
Each of the red and yellow trains sit unused after Windjammer's closure.
Not everything that resulted from Windjammer was negative.  During Halloween Haunt, the space under Windjammer was used for one of the Haunt's most impressive mazes - Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns.

A YouTube video of Windjammer in action can be found here.
The Boardwalk - 1990s | Kingdom of the Dinosaurs