I'm looking to buy a large freeride board for the inevitably dismal Sydney summer this year, and looking at my fin collection, I have 4 tuttle box fins. I'd really like a board that will go with some of my fins. At the moment I'm thinking of a Starboard Futura (111 or 122).

What are the other similar boards out there that have tuttle boxes? (Fanatic Eagle and JP XCite rides are out...)

Geez about all of them?

I'd get the oldest Carve 111 or 123 you can, worth next to nothing now and still go as good as the latest n greatest

I hardly know of anyboards that use the tuttle box system. I think starboard may be the only board brand? I could be wrong though.

Exocet stoped about 2 years ago with the scross now its Power box as well.
Which is a real pain if you have a set of good slalom fins.

Whats the main benifits between the power box and the tuttle? Apart from only doing up one bolt

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sflack said...

Whats the main benifits between the power box and the tuttle? Apart from only doing up one bolt

if you hit something hard you have a better chance of going back to shoreor better yet not loose a fin cuz ya forgot to bolt it tightwhich happened twice to me already

A 122 litre board would probably use around a 38cm to 44cm range and if you're in light wind with an 8.5m or so then you'll need more around the 44cm fin and would probably have to buy more fins anyhow.... I've got too many fins!!

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sflack said...

I hardly know of anyboards that use the tuttle box system. I think starboard may be the only board brand? I could be wrong though.

I must be missing something... everything except for wave and freestyle was tuttle last I looked. Maybe the odd freeride board under 110L ish was poerbox?

Anyway as I said, if it is only for the light days and will not be your most used board, go old. 0.5kn slower but still gybe nice, and $300 vs $2000

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

You're right Mike. Seems like most manufactures have gone to Power Box's for their freeride range - something that kinda snuck in when nobody was looking.

If you buy new and want to keep your tuttle quiver you're going to have to go with the Futura - luckily its a great board (according to reviews and user comments) - you'll rip with this board and maybe evenl get some PB's ! check out the speed comments on this review.
http://www.boardseekermag.com/windsurfing-equipment-tests/starboard-futura-122-2008.html

But hurry before Satrboard drop the tuttle from this range. Not likely though as starboard have a history of strange box's v's board style (eg-Kombat)

My opinion - buy the board you want first - worry about the box 2nd - you'll get a least 1 new fin with your new board anyway.

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Anyway as I said, if it is only for the light days and will not be your most used board, go old. 0.5kn slower but still gybe nice, and $300 vs $2000

If anyone has a good condition Starboard carve (111 or 122) for $300, I'll take it!

Unfortunately, light days are far more common here in Sydney. This board will be my main board (unless we have a summer like 06-07)

When you start to add up a couple of good fins, maybe a weed fin - the investment is quite high. I have an excellent 40cm Curtis racing fin, a great 34cm carbon slalom fin and a newly acquired weed fin (Thanks James). It would be a shame to buy a new board that doesn't fit...

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sflack said...

Whats the main benifits between the power box and the tuttle? Apart from only doing up one bolt

Tuttle is -
a) A lot stronger.
b) You can easily rig it to release on impact and include a leash attachment so you dont lose the fin.

Power box is just a tiny bit more convenient to mount.

Oh yeah, tuttles are more likely to require a bit of sanding to fit - not a bad thing because you get a good fit. Power boxes are more tolerant of a poor fit.

Starboard Aero! Spent some time on one this morning.....had a blast!

(Thanks for the lend, Chef)

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NotWal said...

sflack said...

Whats the main benifits between the power box and the tuttle? Apart from only doing up one bolt

Tuttle is -
a) A lot stronger.
b

Wouldn't have thought there was much in it? The bases are about the same size so the load spread within the fin base will be similar. Within the board the tuttle box extends fully to the deck without the fin bolt recess, that might spread the load better? I don't think the bolts do all that much work in either case. Never had a problem with either - apart from having to sand bases to fit.

I sailed for a while with a stripped thread in one of my fins. +1 for tuttle.

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Bondalucci said...

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

Were you using a straight boom or a z boom at the time Bondy??

well there goes my idea of a new 127 JP super sport as most of my sailing is in a bit of chop.
Back to the drawing board. what about the Futura? Anyone?

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Bondalucci said...

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

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timford said...

well there goes my idea of a new 127 JP super sport as most of my sailing is in a bit of chop.
Back to the drawing board. what about the Futura? Anyone?

Bondalucci said...

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

I wouldnt be comparing the new jp supersport to the old jp freeride, not even similar. The xcite ride would be worth concidering too. I took the 120 out for a demo in very chopy water on the bay and it worked really well in chop.

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Jman said...

Bondalucci said...

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

Were you using a straight boom or a z boom at the time Bondy??

HAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!!!!

GO THE Z-BOOM!!!

Now, now boys,.... leave the z boom out of it please. Each to his own, and don't criticise something until you've tried it! (starting to sound like a sex therapist)

Agree with J-man that the latest JP excite rides would be quite different to the '03 freeride, but worth demo-ing first, I reckon.

I go with a futura or a carve though. You've got too many fins to waste.

Sorry, but just found some pictures of the Z-Boom!
Mate your famous now!


[}:)]
Have a look at the other pics from this site!

Z boom ! ........... rhaaaaaaaaaal !

Curves in all the right places.

C'mon. How many of you guys out there (especially the older ones) have had one, only to stop using it 'cos it broke, or 'cos you couldn't get it in carbon or in reduced diameter ?????

I love my Z boom.

sweet, thanks for that. My wife has a Jp Xcite 110 but I have more luck winning lotto than getting my hands on that.
I will have to do some ringing around and see if there are any demo Supersports about.

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Jman said...

timford said...

well there goes my idea of a new 127 JP super sport as most of my sailing is in a bit of chop.
Back to the drawing board. what about the Futura? Anyone?

Bondalucci said...

Back in 2003 I demo'd the JP 130 freeride and Starboard carve 130. JP felt a bit faster (I thought at the time) so I went with it.

Turned out it was great on flat water, but as soon as Port Phillip bay got choppy I regretted it cos it was far too bouncy. The Starboard carve was much smoother (a lot more V) and turned rail to rail better. Ended upswapping the JP for a Mistral Vision 130, which rode a lot more smoothly like the Carve.

Since I have realised they probably weren't any slower than the JP they just felt that way cos they cruised so smoothly.


I agree with the guy who said go with a starboard carve of whatever size you need. Tuttle box and great construction. Also 2nd hand boards of this literage usually stay in pretty good nick, cos of lighter wind use.

I wouldnt be comparing the new jp supersport to the old jp freeride, not even similar. The xcite ride would be worth concidering too. I took the 120 out for a demo in very chopy water on the bay and it worked really well in chop.

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Ian K said...

NotWal said...

sflack said...

Whats the main benifits between the power box and the tuttle? Apart from only doing up one bolt

Tuttle is -
a) A lot stronger.
b

Wouldn't have thought there was much in it? The bases are about the same size so the load spread within the fin base will be similar. Within the board the tuttle box extends fully to the deck without the fin bolt recess, that might spread the load better? I don't think the bolts do all that much work in either case. Never had a problem with either - apart from having to sand bases to fit.

Not the box per se but the fin head on the Tuttle has a lot more meat over the cross dowels than the Power box fin head. I've busted both power and trim box fin heads but the tuttle I tried to ruin pulled the box out. Not that that's a good thing but it can be rigged to fail reasonably gracefully.

Futura has got no V at all at the back so maybe width there is the main thing in penetrating the chop.

My torn out tuttle fin now is pinned in 3 places. Stainless at the back to pivot on when the two front plastic pins fail. Jamb it back and sail slowly home and hammer in new pins.

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oldie said...

My torn out tuttle fin now is pinned in 3 places. Stainless at the back to pivot on when the two front plastic pins fail. Jamb it back and sail slowly home and hammer in new pins.

Got a photo?

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Bondalucci said...


Z boom ! ........... rhaaaaaaaaaal !

Curves in all the right places.

C'mon. How many of you guys out there (especially the older ones) have had one, only to stop using it 'cos it broke, or 'cos you couldn't get it in carbon or in reduced diameter ?????

I love my Z boom.

I used one a long time ago, was breaking them monthly at one stage.

Anyways thats a different story all together

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Bondalucci said...


Z boom ! ........... rhaaaaaaaaaal !

Curves in all the right places.

C'mon. How many of you guys out there (especially the older ones) have had one, only to stop using it 'cos it broke, or 'cos you couldn't get it in carbon or in reduced diameter ?????

I love my Z boom.

Sorry I never had the urge to go the z, and if I did have one I wouln't admit to it anyway If it works for you Im happy You gota admit its funny when someone like sflack who is new to the sport asks WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOUR BOOM MATE !!

hahaha, yeah a car ran it over!

erganomic - look it up in the dictionary and there should be a picture of a z boom looking back at ya!

...and the good thing is, if the z boom gets a bent a bit in a bad stack, I probably wont even notice.