Windjammer

"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 Berry Farm in March of 1997 as part of The Boardwalk - a remake of the popular Roaring 20's area. Designed by Togo International to be a fun racing coaster keeping in the spirit of the Soap Box Racers, Windjammer quickly became known as an operational nightmare. Poorly designed restraints, slow sections of track that causes the two-car trains to stall in the slightest breeze, and special effects that never worked as designed, plagued this coaster from day 1. Windjammer's demise was quick, and it closed in early 2000. The yellow track was more of an operational nightmare than red, leaving red the only track open to guests during the last year or so of Windjammer’s operating life.

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. The result was Xcelerator which 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.

Windjammer's station was quite striking. It created a 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 “winds” of only 5 mph.

The final helix.

This structure was designed to create a tornado. Another great idea on paper, but one that never worked in reality.

The exit from the helix was brutal. Hold onto your neck!

The final turn and station approach.

The space under Windjammer was utilized well. 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.