Hi I'm thinking of taking up a bit of speedsailing again and I was wondering if there are any fast board shapes with a well know reputation.
I know the JP speed 45 has a reputation as one of the fastest production boards but I am looking more at the 55/56 cm wide 80 litre boards.
I remember the early fanatic falcon 80-2007 was know to do some big speeds, and other ideas? What about the mistrals... I remember they had a following


Also it would be good to know which boards are fast for their size in all sizes to expand the debate.

I already have a F2 missile small with airpipes but not sure if that has a reputation for being particularly fast.

I've got a Naish speed 60, single back strap , cut out inbtween straps,
I found this board wasn't releasing so cut-outs and 3mm tail lift from the front of the fin box
The board will take small fins because of the cut-outs, great board for shallow water ect

I about 93kg and have a Mistral Speed 95 and love it. I even use when the wind is 15 knots.

I found the smaller the speedboard, the less use and less pleasant it is unless you are a semi-pro.
The ones I like because are very user friendly are Patrik 70 (48 wide) , JPSlalom Pro III (53 wide) and JP Slalom Pro IV (54 wide), all boards at 70 litres.
I have done over 4000 kms in flat water on the JPs, and always have a ball, easy to take off, easy to jibe and fast.

That JP 54 is a really nice shape, especially the tail. Is there much between the 3 boards on the GPS?

The mistral 95 appears to have great pedigree and a following. More versatile having 95l at 55cm wide rather than the usual 70-80l vol at that width

Keef, I have the original Naish Hybrid as well, no decent fins for it so never really had a go with the GPS on. Will definately give it a try but it hates the lulls, my least favourite ever board to sail off the plane.

56W 80L

44W 68L (I think......? Dez?)

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windsurftom said..
That JP 54 is a really nice shape, especially the tail. Is there much between the 3 boards on the GPS?

The mistral 95 appears to have great pedigree and a following. More versatile having 95l at 55cm wide rather than the usual 70-80l vol at that width

The only thing is... I reckon the M95 is more like 90L, maybe a little less.

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remery said..

windsurftom said..
That JP 54 is a really nice shape, especially the tail. Is there much between the 3 boards on the GPS?

The mistral 95 appears to have great pedigree and a following. More versatile having 95l at 55cm wide rather than the usual 70-80l vol at that width

The only thing is... I reckon the M95 is more like 90L, maybe a little less.

The M90, with Lockwood input is a fast board. Lockwood has me board range under Tribal. Already proven to be fast under Chris' feet

I had the Mistral 95 as a loaner during our recent Oz trip (big thanks again to Pacey!), and loved the board. For my 90-95 kg and somewhat limited skills, it was great both at the bottom end (easy to slog and get going thanks to its length) and at the top end (got me a 41 knot PB). I have also have a Missile with the pipes, but the only reason I'll use it is that I don't have a M95, and can't get a similar Chris Lockwood-designed Tribal speed board here in the US. If I could get (and afford) a Tribal similar to the M95, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

Regarding top speed, I'm not sure there is that much difference between boards, except with respect which board matches your skill and preferences. It seems the guys who got similar speeds in the low 40s last summer in WA and LG were on quite a variety of gear. There often is one guy who simply goes a few knots faster than anyone else (like Stroppo in WA), but I think the difference is usually mostly due to skills and not gear.

^
For some reason there is a perception that less volume is faster.
This obviously just makes the board harder to get going and sapps your energy.

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decrepit said..
^
For some reason there is a perception that less volume is faster.
This obviously just makes the board harder to get going and sapps your energy.

Had the missile small and got my first 40 on it. Hard work with my level of skills. Also not having conditions to use it regularly... got a Patrik 48w and at 71 litres got alot more opportunity to get on speed board. Easier to gybe and more runs means a better chance of get that magic run. Think the sweet spot for the weekend warrior is 48-56w.

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windsurftom said..

I remember the early fanatic falcon 80-2007 was know to do some big speeds

I had one of those for Poole & Portland Harbours as they were easier to use than speed needles.
Pete Young was the 1st to do a 40 knot 10s average & 40 knot 500m in Portland Harbour UK on one. Its not an easy place to sail as the wind tumbles over the fairly high Chesil Beach stone spit. With the prevailing winds you have to sail parallel to the beach then bear off in a gust. Near the beach the wind isnt so strong.
The only other person to do those speeds is Scotty Smallman.
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=99180&uid=2129&spotid=681

it depends on what speed you are aiming for, how big you are and how good you speed strip is. (Your 'real world' speed sailing conditions will bet different from almost everyone else's)

After 30 years of speed sailing at some of the best venues in the world, I can tell you for certain that when conditions are really good I can always go knots faster on my 40cm wide, 60L Carbon Art speed board, than larger speed boards or slalom boards. (But I am only 73Kg)

BUT, if you are over 80KG, and dont have an ideal speed strip, almost any 50-60cm wide small modern dedicated slalom board will get you over 40 knots if you get get to be in the right place at the right time. I have done over 42 knots a few times on my 80-87L slalom boards, almost by mistake when caught out on a really great speed strip by an unexpected squall. But if the right conditions I can go faster than that, and a LOT easier, on my small speed board. Riding a small speed board takes a lot of practice to get the skills tuned. If you cant do it regularly, you are better off on a larger board, even though it is theoretically slower.

Getting to 45 knots and beyond, especially if you are not 90-100KG+, will need a smaller board, more wind and very good speed conditions.

Going very fast is a lot to do with reducing drag, and if you have sufficient power (wind) to get started and get to over 40 knots, a hard that has the minimum wetted drag area will have less drag, and a smaller board will give you better control on the limit in truly wild winds. There are a few other things that come into it, but the principle is the same.

One can't compare the pre 2000's speed 'needles' with modern speed boards. They were a lot harder to sail and didnt go any faster.if as fast.

Bigger guys rarely use boards over 45-47 wide in places like the Luderitz speed canal where they are gunning for 50 nots and there is all the wind power you can handle.

There is a complete graduated spectrum between that and whatever conditions you have at you local accessible speed strip. In many places, you dont have the power to do 50 knots, so a larger board to carry a larger sail in less wind is the best combo to get to what your conditions allow. So to repeat: If you are over 80KG, and dont have an ideal speed strip, almost any 52-60cm wide small modern dedicated slalom board will get you over 40 knots if you get get to be in the right place at the right time.

Agree, it's tricky being a lighter rider

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anthony perkins said..
Agree, it's tricky being a lighter rider

Eat more pies..and repeat

It maybe the trick kato I had KFC on the way to Stanley on Saturday

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powersloshin said..
I found the smaller the speedboard, the less use and less pleasant it is unless you are a semi-pro.
The ones I like because are very user friendly are Patrik 70 (48 wide) , JPSlalom Pro III (53 wide) and JP Slalom Pro IV (54 wide), all boards at 70 litres.
I have done over 4000 kms in flat water on the JPs, and always have a ball, easy to take off, easy to jibe and fast.

Patrik 48 looks very nice. I'm after a 53 but getting one to Aust is a problem. Been thinking of a 48 might be better but I've big feet (grr)