Why are there no more formula boards for 2021, even starboard has stopped making them. I really enjoy using mine for free riding in light wind. Has foiling made them obsolete? The SLW types such as JP and fanatic must be vastly different with narrow rounded tails on them rather than the square 800-900mm wide tails on the formulas. I was hoping to replace my ageing formula one day with a shiny brand new one, looks like refurbishments to keep it going now.

Too bad .
I gave both f-167 and f-162 away this summer. He thinks he's foiling with them.

No offence but I reckon formula didn't do the sport any good. Enormous fins and sails. Richer sailor with better gear has an advantage and for racing they don't work when wind under 10 knots.

Windsurfing is a very fickle sport with manufacturers always catering for market at the time - or trying to create a new one.

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mob dog said..
Why are there no more formula boards for 2021, even starboard has stopped making them. I really enjoy using mine for free riding in light wind. Has foiling made them obsolete? The SLW types such as JP and fanatic must be vastly different with narrow rounded tails on them rather than the square 800-900mm wide tails on the formulas. I was hoping to replace my ageing formula one day with a shiny brand new one, looks like refurbishments to keep it going now.

Might just have to look at a Foil board for Formula sailing (Deep tuttle???). Haven't looked hard enough at it as now have 2 formula boards, should see me through the next 5 to 10 years. Should be able to afford a Foil Setup by then if foiling lasts that long????

Formula racing was a lot of fun and got a lot of people (back) into racing. Things move on, but I'll never forget the years of having fun in not so great conditions on formula gear. A bit like foiling now. I got out 5 times last week in pretty average conditions and had a ball.

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MatStirl said..
No offence but I reckon formula didn't do the sport any good. Enormous fins and sails. Richer sailor with better gear has an advantage and for racing they don't work when wind under 10 knots.

Windsurfing is a very fickle sport with manufacturers always catering for market at the time - or trying to create a new one.

Yeah I hear you they used to have formula racing where I live and I was always amazed at the gigantic sails and fins they used I just use mine when the wind is light with 8.5 sail and 57-66cm fin for freeriding and your dead right once it gets down to 10kt it won't get planing do you reckon these super light wind boards would be a better option in 8-15kt JP Australia says theirs will keep planing in very light wind

I think there will be a few really nice formula boards for sale over the next 5 years going cheap.
Ive seen a couple good examples recently on SB

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Imax1 said..
I think there will be a few really nice formula boards for sale over the next 5 years going cheap.
Ive seen a couple good examples recently on SB

Good point there must be a lot of them out there

Turned one into a wingding board, works well

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mob dog said..

Imax1 said..
I think there will be a few really nice formula boards for sale over the next 5 years going cheap.
Ive seen a couple good examples recently on SB

Good point there must be a lot of them out there

There kind of like 100% carbon 520 masts . Cost a fortune new , but because no one wants them , almost new samples going half price as a almost new 460. Same with big formula sails. I bought a once used 100% 5 year old NP mast for $ 150 .
They make great beginner boards , stable ,( fragile ) , not fast , turn very easy and go great upwind , work perfect with a small fin .

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Imax1 said..

mob dog said..

Imax1 said..
I think there will be a few really nice formula boards for sale over the next 5 years going cheap.
Ive seen a couple good examples recently on SB

Good point there must be a lot of them out there

There kind of like 100% carbon 520 masts . Cost a fortune new , but because no one wants them , almost new samples going half price as a almost new 460. Same with big formula sails. I bought a once used 100% 5 year old NP mast for $ 150 .
They make great beginner boards , stable ,( fragile ) , not fast , turn very easy and go great upwind , work perfect with a small fin .

I wouldn't be so sure about either.

The bigger foil race sails still need the big 490+ masts, and formula boards happen to make halfway decent foilboards with all that width and a few adaptations. A lot of people are just using them as is for foiling too.

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airsail said..
Turned one into a wingding board, works well

Did you use the front half or the back half?

the pwa switched to slalom and foil.

that aside. formula boards and sails revolutionized windsurfing. the gear we use today would not be what it is without it. there is the pre formula gear and the post formula gear

Buy a used formula board for a very cheap price, spend a few bucks to get the footstrap inserts moved more inboard, maybe even some more bucks to get the finbox reinforced to current foling requirements (not always necessary if you use a flanged foil) and maybe moved forward by 8 cm, and use it for foiling.

This is way to spend USD $500-$800 for a foiling board that is light and easy to foil on.

I have three old formula boards that I used to race on. Now they are my foiling ride. Two are stock, and one is modified as above. They work great.

They are actually harder to come (used) by now where I am since foilers are soaking up the available supply. I think few people will miss the giant sails, though.

If you are in the States, there's still a Formula/foil board available: www.tillo-international.com/?page_id=802

Big, lightwind freeride boards still exist if you haven't caught the foil bug: jp-australia.com/p/windsurfing/boards/super-lightwind/

Loved my detuned formula 9.0 raf + 62cm. Amazing machine, really close to true sailing sensation. Long reaches, travelling type experience. Super efficient. Perfect for 8-13 knots. Even used it with a 7.0 and 50cm, in 13-18 knots, fantastic.

Can see how some like it but formula drove me out of racing.
I like the look of foil. Foils look scary dangerous and need deep water which limits sailing/racing at some venues but seems an undeniable next step and at least sails can be smaller/lighter.
On racing side reckon we just go with LT and foil. Maybe Techno too.

I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

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Cluffy said..
I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

Post some pictures of the refurb Cluffy. The F159 (and F160) where brilliant boards, I have fond memories of them both, fast and easy to sail.

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Cluffy said..
I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

How do you think a JP SLW or fanatic falcon light wind would compare to a formula board. their 92cm and 90cm wide respectively and slightly longer at 235cm and 230cm but both have narrower tails, the JP slightly rounded and the fanatic sort of a V tail like formula but a bit more angle.

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Cluffy said..
I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

my freeride setup for about 10 years was an early design formula board and an 8.5m sail. such a fun setup in winds from 8-20 knots. i used it with a 70cm formula fin. good luck with the restoration.

When I was still racing formula, I went through the whole gamut of SB formula boards. Since I was never all that competitive (I did it for fun, and it was great fun), I never got into the arms race with new gear every year. Instead, I let the other guys run the arms race, and I got their gear a couple years used for a lot less $$. The good thing about the arms race is that they made continuous improvements along the way, and we all benefited.

The F159 was the first SB formula board that was EASY to sail deep downwind. All prior models, including the F158, were sticky and pitchy downwind.

So, if you have a F159, you have a real gem.

Formula racing has evolved into formula foil, the boards are still in use and demand for them has increased. I just sold a SB 161 and been asked by two other people this week if I have any others for sale.

Still got Patrick V2, a SB167 and now also a SB167W (the same one I sold about 5 years ago)

The V2 has had a fin box mod to take and IQ foil, the 167W is about to get the same mod.

The 167 is original, so far its never had water in it, I plan to keep it that way and not use it for foils. Still got some big formula sails and I enjoy having a blast on them. They are heavy and cumbersome but I look at it as a work out, an afternoon with them and it feels like you have just done a big session at the gym. Hooked into a big sail downwind is still a great feeling and it still gets the adreneline flowing.

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mob dog said..

Cluffy said..
I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

How do you think a JP SLW or fanatic falcon light wind would compare to a formula board. their 92cm and 90cm wide respectively and slightly longer at 235cm and 230cm but both have narrower tails, the JP slightly rounded and the fanatic sort of a V tail like formula but a bit more angle.

I ride a board very similar in concept to the SLW and the Falcon Light wind - a custom Tillo Convertible at 232 by 91cm. It's about a thousand times easier to beam reach on that board than on a true Formula setup. Jibes take some commitment but not the huge step to leeward that a formula board needs. It points high but not quite as high as a real formula board, even with a 64cm fin. It really likes a big weed fin which formula boards don't. Pretty bouncy overpowered downwind and there's no chicken strap which would help so the formula board has a definite edge deep off the wind. I like it with a 10.0 and love it with an 8.6 but wouldn't feel like I had enough leverage with the big 11 and 12 meter formula sails. Still fun powered on 7.5 which a formula board wouldn't be. Formula board definitely planes earlier given a big sail.

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Awalkspoiled said..

mob dog said..

Cluffy said..
I'm currently restoring a starboard 159 formula for recreational upwind/downwind work in fresh to strong wind. I regard the 159 as the freeride board of formula boards. The performance is not stellar compared to modern boards but totally okay for cruising around and the important part is they are extremely comfortable downwind. This is mainly due to plenty of rocker and a narrow tail, only 76cm at the one foot mark. This narrow tail allows for a much more comfortable stance without crushing pain in the back leg or having to resort to the chicken strap.

I wanted to keep the original look but the old dear is a bit far gone for that so It is regrettably being repainted with a nice polyeurathane white and new veneer of aircraft ply on the foredeck . Deckgrip will be EVA foam from the footstraps up to just in front of the mast track to allow tacking. The EVA foam is not my favourite choice for the deck but I don't know how to do nice deckgrips and I wont deface this classic with a vommit like sugar or salt deck. The board is still very light so the deck foam and extra ply shouldn't affect the weight to badly.

It's a been an eye opener just what an effective construction material plywood veneer is for windsurfing. This 159 is plywood top and botton and is still very light. It makes me wonder in certain areas of any board if you even want carbon at all. Yes carbon is light and stiff but it's impact resistance is not the best.

I can't wait to get this thing out. I'm planning on running 9.4 and 8.6 sails on it. I wouldn't normally consider an 8.6 on a formula board but the 159 can do it comfortably. I'll post a vid and some before and after pics when I'm done.

How do you think a JP SLW or fanatic falcon light wind would compare to a formula board. their 92cm and 90cm wide respectively and slightly longer at 235cm and 230cm but both have narrower tails, the JP slightly rounded and the fanatic sort of a V tail like formula but a bit more angle.

I ride a board very similar in concept to the SLW and the Falcon Light wind - a custom Tillo Convertible at 232 by 91cm. It's about a thousand times easier to beam reach on that board than on a true Formula setup. Jibes take some commitment but not the huge step to leeward that a formula board needs. It points high but not quite as high as a real formula board, even with a 64cm fin. It really likes a big weed fin which formula boards don't. Pretty bouncy overpowered downwind and there's no chicken strap which would help so the formula board has a definite edge deep off the wind. I like it with a 10.0 and love it with an 8.6 but wouldn't feel like I had enough leverage with the big 11 and 12 meter formula sails. Still fun powered on 7.5 which a formula board wouldn't be. Formula board definitely planes earlier given a big sail.

Sounds like these designs might be better for me I think as I use 8.5 for light wind, any bigger is just too heavy and cumbersome for me. their probably better for light wind free riding

I finally finished the 159 although I had a few issues with the dark blue paint. Even though the paint is polyurethane it is only single pack and the darker colours like black and dark blue or green don't dry as hard due to the amount of pigment they contain. Apparently this pigment problem is common among a lot of paints not just polyurethane. The single pack white on the bottom dried as hard as a rock just the blue is not as durable. The solution is to use a 2 pack for the darker colours.

I wanted to keep the plywood look but the deck was dinged up quite a lot so I glued a sheet of 1mm aircraft ply to the foredeck and gave it 4 coats of polyurethane clear. In hindsight I could have used 0.5 mm ply as the aircraft ply is very high quality stuff and quite strong. I went with 3mm EVA deck grip in the non skid area. It's not my first choice actually but I can't do deck grip without it looking ugly and the EVA looks and works ok.

Sailing is very comfortable and enjoyable as you would expect of the 159. You may notice in the vid I am stuck to the water quite significantly. This is mainly due to the fact I am still running a very underpowered formula fin. My left knee is rooted at the moment so I can't put much weight on it. if my knee ever comes good I'll try a more powerful fin. Even though I'm glued to the water it doesn't seem to slow down the 159 much at all. In the video I was topping 24 knots at times and I was only using and 8.6 in 10 to 15 knots. I was out in a gusty westerly last weekend and got very lit up downwind a few times. If the video was 24 knots then I think I hit 26 in the westerly easily. That's not bad for a beat up old has been. The board went well also.

The 8.6 is a nice fit on the 159. I Can't say that about many formula boards. I've tried my 9.4 M2 on it as well. it felt like a very good fit and I can't see myself using anything bigger. If I can't get going with that I'll most likely be foiling.

Really enjoying this old beast. It truly is formula freeride.

Yes, formula boards make really nice freeride boards for those light days with big sails. If you are not foiling, these make a nice ride. I never used a sail smaller than 10.0 on a formula board. Down to 8.5 works, but 10.0 to 11.5 are the sweet spot for formula finning.

Otherwise, formula boards are really great for foiling. I have three, and I use them all for foiling. Finboxes are deep tuttle and plenty strong enough.

Good stuff Cluffy,good job on the board reno( did you edit out the white caps)

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Cluffy said..
I finally finished the 159 although I had a few issues with the dark blue paint. Even though the paint is polyurethane it is only single pack and the darker colours like black and dark blue or green don't dry as hard due to the amount of pigment they contain. Apparently this pigment problem is common among a lot of paints not just polyurethane. The single pack white on the bottom dried as hard as a rock just the blue is not as durable. The solution is to use a 2 pack for the darker colours.

I wanted to keep the plywood look but the deck was dinged up quite a lot so I glued a sheet of 1mm aircraft ply to the foredeck and gave it 4 coats of polyurethane clear. In hindsight I could have used 0.5 mm ply as the aircraft ply is very high quality stuff and quite strong. I went with 3mm EVA deck grip in the non skid area. It's not my first choice actually but I can't do deck grip without it looking ugly and the EVA looks and works ok.

Sailing is very comfortable and enjoyable as you would expect of the 159. You may notice in the vid I am stuck to the water quite significantly. This is mainly due to the fact I am still running a very underpowered formula fin. My left knee is rooted at the moment so I can't put much weight on it. if my knee ever comes good I'll try a more powerful fin. Even though I'm glued to the water it doesn't seem to slow down the 159 much at all. In the video I was topping 24 knots at times and I was only using and 8.6 in 10 to 15 knots. I was out in a gusty westerly last weekend and got very lit up downwind a few times. If the video was 24 knots then I think I hit 26 in the westerly easily. That's not bad for a beat up old has been. The board went well also.

The 8.6 is a nice fit on the 159. I Can't say that about many formula boards. I've tried my 9.4 M2 on it as well. it felt like a very good fit and I can't see myself using anything bigger. If I can't get going with that I'll most likely be foiling.

Really enjoying this old beast. It truly is formula freeride.

what size of fin are you using?

I had a sail of my 85 cm wide Patrik 135 a few weeks ago with a 7m Mach 1 and a 50 Z fin in 10 to 16 knots.

It was the first time in 6 months or so i have ridden a big board.

Scarred for life

Feel is so different from a 100 or 110.

Gybes like the QE2.

Felt a little better in the flat stuff and upwind.

The airinside 140 lifts a good bit higher than the non hollow 135 with the same fin so it feels nicer especially downwind where you can plane high over the chop but honestly i hate them both.

My Patrik 100 i give a 10 for feel. The 110 airinside perhaps a 8.

140 Airinside a 2 with the 135 scoring a 1.


Formula and large slalom boards it takes many sessions to appreciate them.

Planning on using my 135 in future mostly as a sort of SUP board with my 6.8m Loft Switchblade in 10 knots or less.

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WillyWind said..

Cluffy said..
I finally finished the 159 although I had a few issues with the dark blue paint. Even though the paint is polyurethane it is only single pack and the darker colours like black and dark blue or green don't dry as hard due to the amount of pigment they contain. Apparently this pigment problem is common among a lot of paints not just polyurethane. The single pack white on the bottom dried as hard as a rock just the blue is not as durable. The solution is to use a 2 pack for the darker colours.

I wanted to keep the plywood look but the deck was dinged up quite a lot so I glued a sheet of 1mm aircraft ply to the foredeck and gave it 4 coats of polyurethane clear. In hindsight I could have used 0.5 mm ply as the aircraft ply is very high quality stuff and quite strong. I went with 3mm EVA deck grip in the non skid area. It's not my first choice actually but I can't do deck grip without it looking ugly and the EVA looks and works ok.

Sailing is very comfortable and enjoyable as you would expect of the 159. You may notice in the vid I am stuck to the water quite significantly. This is mainly due to the fact I am still running a very underpowered formula fin. My left knee is rooted at the moment so I can't put much weight on it. if my knee ever comes good I'll try a more powerful fin. Even though I'm glued to the water it doesn't seem to slow down the 159 much at all. In the video I was topping 24 knots at times and I was only using and 8.6 in 10 to 15 knots. I was out in a gusty westerly last weekend and got very lit up downwind a few times. If the video was 24 knots then I think I hit 26 in the westerly easily. That's not bad for a beat up old has been. The board went well also.

The 8.6 is a nice fit on the 159. I Can't say that about many formula boards. I've tried my 9.4 M2 on it as well. it felt like a very good fit and I can't see myself using anything bigger. If I can't get going with that I'll most likely be foiling.

Really enjoying this old beast. It truly is formula freeride.

what size of fin are you using?

I'm using an old 70cm formula fin. It's very bendy and has a bit rake. When I was racing formula I would only use this fin when it was 9.5 weather but I like it in the 159 as I can tight reach in comfort. I'm also starting to get a better feel for mast step position and boom height so the old beast is not so glued to the water. I've managed a couple of reasonable gybes as well. The technique is the same as most formula boards, step on the back corner and get it around quickly. I tried gybing with the inside foot further forward but it's difficult to get enough rail pressure and the board also tends to bog down. Inside foot back next to the back footstrap does the trick.