I have a SB 162 Formula board and when sailing with a 7.5m V8 I would like a smaller fin. Would a 2012 JP Australia Slalom Iii 50cm Fin work?

Thanks

I reckon it will be ok swapper but not great. I have used my SB 161 with a carbon 48 slalom and a cut down Deb (50cm). The cut down Deb is better but it would be way more grunty than the JP50. I reckon in G10 you might be better with something around 56cm for freeriding, you'll be able to point better but still have heaps of control across and off the wind. If you want to save dosh, someone might give you a Drake 70... you could cut 20 off it and give it a sand and it would probably be better?

Thanks paddymac, I'm not after any pointing ability or grunt I just thought I might be able to handle the 7.5 in a bit more wind, so I do need the control while reaching. If there is anybody out there that wants to give me a drake 70cm I will humbly accept.

for me the words RACE and WIDE come to mind when Formula boards are discussed
the 162 was already 100 cm wide
on my 94 cm wide Free Formula , I find that in 8.5 conditions I prefer a more narrow free-ride board
for me a 7.5 is easily approaching 20 knots of wind with some chop

if you insist on the 50 cm fin - try before you buy
personally discourage cutting down fins !!!

good luck

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swapper said..

I have a SB 162 Formula board and when sailing with a 7.5m V8 I would like a smaller fin. Would a 2012 JP Australia Slalom Iii 50cm Fin work?

Thanks

Swapper, I think that fin you're looking at is actually 56cm (mis-advertised) - have a close look at the photos. I have used 60cm fin on formula board and works well for back and forth sailing, so 56cm would be fine, especially at the price.

True, it does look like a 56cm James,

Thanks for the help guys.

Swapper. I have a 167w and I have riden it with a 52 drake and 8.1m2 sail. It was fine, but not as exciting nor capable as the standard 70cm fin and big sails. The 52 did make it easier to reach back and forth on, however it reduced the upwind angle, and getting it onto the plane was a little harder. In general smaller sails and fins in formula are fine and good when learning, but they rob a lot of the magic that is formula sailing IMHO.