MattDowse said..

Interesting topic! I am 5'10" and 105kg
Category 130-150L: 1998 Bic Vivace 149L Raceboard 8.6m Loft race blade 34.09 knots
Category 120-130L: 2005 Starboard 126L S-Type 6.3m Loft Switchblade 36.26 knots
Category 100-120L:2013 Carbon Art 117L SL67 7.3m Loft Switchblade 36.43 knots
Category 80-100L: 2010 Carbon Art 100L 60W Freeride 6.3m Loft Switchblade 38.94knots.

eckas said..

Interesting reading - good idea for topic. I think board width should really be the basis for size categorisation rather than volume:

1. Once planing, board width rather than volume is the key determinant for how much board/water contact there is and therefore how much water-induced friction is holding you back.
2. Starboard (as one example I know) abandon volume as their size measurement once they get down into the speed boards. These are denominated by W49, W44 etc (being width measurements) rather than 113l, 82l etc (being volume measurements).
3. For my own example, I have two identical volume boards of 105l (giver or take 1l). A 76 ish cm wide Starboard Hypersonic and a 65ish wide Fanatic Falcon. The Falcon is easily another 3-4 knots quicker in any situation than the Hypersonic, and I believe this is mainly due to width (although the radically double-concaved bottom on the Hypersonic could arguably also be an influence).

However, for the purposes of an entertaining and informative discussion, and while-ever board volumes generally correlate well to board widths, I can live with a volume-based categorisation!

Eckas.

eckas said..

I'd love to hear some stories about how fast formula gear has been pushed!

Macroscien said..
>>>>>

Agree , to some extent. Above 30 knots we are all in interested in not so much volume but width or wet area that matter.
But there so far is strict correlation between board size and volume so for simplification we could stick clearly to volume >>>>

decrepit said..



when you get to small speed boards there can be a lot of difference between manufacturers for volume/width, eg. slowy's boards seem to have more volume than others for similar width.
And I can't tell you exactly what the volume of my boards are, but I can tell you how wide they are.

DarrylG said..

Formula HWR and 10.7 vmg 76
Agree it is the fins size which is the main limiting factor
30.62 2 sec

MattDowse said..

Interesting topic! I am 5'10" and 105kg
The bear-away is the most important thing Macro, deeper you go the faster you go (as long as you are powered up)!
And I am still working on it!
Category 130-150L: 1998 Bic Vivace 149L Raceboard 8.6m Loft race blade 34.09 knots
Category 120-130L: 2005 Starboard 126L S-Type 6.3m Loft Switchblade 36.26 knots
Category 100-120L:2013 Carbon Art 117L SL67 7.3m Loft Switchblade 36.43 knots
Category 80-100L: 2010 Carbon Art 100L 60W Freeride 6.3m Loft Switchblade 38.94knots.

tilldark said..



Wow that's impressive. I'd d love to come and trade notes with you on a windy day. I'm exactly 6 foot and 100 Kg (ex-rugby). Pretty much never get 25 knots but manage around 30 in 20 knots on 117 iSonic and recently 33 on 107 on a 20 Knots plus day. I'm really working hard on technique but often find lighter riders focusing on different things. I definitely prefer bigger sail smaller board as my combo but have nothing a a guide. Biggest problem where i sail is running out of water (i.e. shallow and or boat)

slowboat said..

Having used the 137 a lot, here are a few points of difference to be aware of:

1) You can use small sails on it and it remains competitive (and heaps of fun). I've had some great days sailing it with a 7.0m, reaching speeds >37kts in open water. Its really fast like this. Lining up with WA's fastest on their smaller gear there was no disadvantage in the gusts. On GPS those days I was still a few knots faster. So it still works like a smaller board when you need it to. Which means you spend less time waiting on the beach for a wind change, or swapping boards all the time. It stays fun and competitive over a bigger range.

2) It holds big sails too. 9.5m seems OK. (Matty uses his from 6.6m up to 10.5m and reckons it works great).

3) Early planing- it planes super early for its width.

4) Gybing- it stays on the plane really well- out of gybes its unreal. And you can snap it around for some crazy tight gybes.

5) Trim stability. It handles a lot of chop, wind, and power before it gets out of control. It feels very neutral to ride, which means you dont get fatigued easily. Coming off a "lively" unstable board it might feel comparatively "dull", but if you actually check how fast you are going you'll find that its at least as fast. You can really push it with total confidence. The most fun setup is when a gust comes through and you can use the "nitro button" instead of sheeting out/backing off.

6) fin size- takes a pretty big range of fins. Ive used from 35cm up to 47cm depending on sail size and conditions. With 8.6m I run a 46 unless its lit, 7.8m I use 42-44, and 7.0m smokes with 40-42. In speed sailing mode you can go a lot smaller.

Overall its my most used board, and I'll say its the most versatile in the range.

Accepting that it is different to other boards, it does take a little while for some people to get used to.

You might take my comments with a grain of salt due to my involvement, but the guys over here who have seen the grin on my face when I'm sailing it will hopefully vouch for my honesty in making these statements. I'm enjoying my sailing more than ever.

sausage said..

DarrylG - 30+knot peak with a 76cm fin and formula board

Peter (Macro), here's one of Slowboats latest sessions - 38cm fin (his own design too) and an 82cm wide board gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2014-01-14&team=10