Has anyone tested these back to back? They are about the same price. The reviews on the Delta XT seem to indicate it has more grip than previous delta by about +2cm. Anyone have a comment on the Black Project Delta ? Primbee at low tide seems to only cope with about a 21/22 delta so a 21 that holds like a 23 with a biggish sail 6.3-7.0 sounds great.

Price means nothing. Just because 2 fins are similar priced dose not mean they are similar just because a fin is more expensive dose not mean it is better.

The Delta XT have been deliberately priced low to be a very price competitive fin.

Although they are both classed as deltas the two fins were designed for deferent reasons. The BP free delta was designed as a shallow water freeride fin . It has not taken off that much in Australia at the shallow water weed spots (not may people use them) maybe it was seen more as a freeride fin and not as fast.

The MUF Delta XT was designed to overcome some of the characteristics of the current delta's on the market. It was designed to feel more standard fin like by giving more lift and get up and go and less spin out. It is a true Delta with a straight trailing edge the back of the fin dose not stick out past the tail of the board. The thing that the Delta XT shape has achieved is putting a lot more surface are at the tip of the fin giving it more grip and the ability to use a fin size 2-3 cm smaller than a regular delta and have the same amount of grip. This increased area at the tip has also improved the fins ability to clear weed when powered up. The grip has be so impressive that originally it came in sizes 16-26 that After testing in Australia it was decided to add a 14 to the size range and now a 15 as well these are going to prove great for speed board in shallow weedy spots.

For sailing at Primbee there is no choice between the Delta XT and FreeDelta you would be crazy not to go with the Delta XT and all those using them will tell you the same thing. The additional grip the Delta XT gives you when sailing out side the shallows is a big bonus for Primbee.

Yes I am biased towards the Delta XT because I asked for it to be made for Australia conditions, but I am right!

The "BP FreeDelta RE" is a freeride fin designed for shallow water at the Renee Eglii clinic, hence the "RE". I'd suggest this fin for beginners and free riding. If you want speed, then go for the BP Kestrel. The Kestrel is very quick and proven in heavy weed and shallow locations such as Budgewoi. Have fun!

That's the comparison I'd be more interested in the delta xt v the bp kestrel. Has anyone used both and like to share their thoughts?

Talk to Gabe and Chris, they have tried both.

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morts said..
That's the comparison I'd be more interested in the delta xt v the bp kestrel. Has anyone used both and like to share their thoughts?

People I have had feed back from who have sailed both. Say the Delta XT has more grip. The Kestral has better grip than the standard delta but when it spins out it is a bugger to get back where as the standard delta is easier The standard delta is also faster than the Kestrel the delta speed and Delta slalom are faster again. The Delta XT like the standard Delta is easier to pull back when it spins out. The people I know who have sailed both after sailing the Delta XT sold there Kestrel's to replace with Delta XT's.

Price difference:

MUF Delta XT 16 $180 if you pay cash and pick up $162

BP Kestrel 16 $225

Do both pickup weed when off the plane?

Sorry but kestrals work really well and have proved themselves as the easiest to use . All fins have good and bad points just buy a good fin and get used to it . We just sailed 5 days straight at budgy with the kestrals and no problems with the weed . Good speeds and no spin outs .

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Have purchased a delta XT and look forward to trying it out soon. It is pretty amazing where the technology keeps taking us. Only downside is my fin quiver seems to grow each week I discover something better and I have not even started on buying carbon fins. That is a dream beyond my budget.

Better fit than the prior model. closes up gap on the leading edge between board base and fin, no issue

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lucdown said..
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Have purchased a delta XT and look forward to trying it out soon. It is pretty amazing where the technology keeps taking us. Only downside is my fin quiver seems to grow each week I discover something better and I have not even started on buying carbon fins. That is a dream beyond my budget.

Have a look at the Select VMax's, Sam's now stocking them at Windsurfnsnow great fin and hardly any price difference between those and the G10's.

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mineral1 said..
Better fit than the prior model. closes up gap on the leading edge between board base and fin, no issue

Interesting I hadn't even noticed that but you're right!

Watch out! Might be some goodness coming out of Tribal soon.

What is the rake of the new XT?

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Stretchy said..
What is the rake of the new XT?

Looks about 48 to me Stretchy. Check the link below for a pic with a protractor on it.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Maui-Ultra-Fins-New-Delta-XT?page=1

Thanks Jeremy, that should be ok for everything but the weedburgs!

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BSN101 said..
Watch out! Might be some goodness coming out of Tribal soon.

Please elaborate Dave ??

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Stretchy said..
What is the rake of the new XT?

I am reliably informed that they are definitely 48 deg. Iain C was using his at Fangys last week with some success but had to avoid the realy thick stuff, but they have plenty of grip when you hit the chop.

Apparently Slowie has been testing with some success so fingers crossed there might be another option soon. Hopefully a few prototypes might find their way down to Mandurah for the locals to test. Hope he's listening.

The kestrals go over the thickest of weed , at budgy lake the weed was so thick it was dry on the surface and birds nesting on it but still went over the thickest of weed with no dramas at all , you need that extra rake on the fin to avoid the over the handle bar exits , i also use the kestrals at Queenslake near Port Macquarie but we do have to sail in some rougher water to get to the mud bank but the fin is quiet user friendly in the open water you just cant push it that hard , all the speed is done once you reach the flat water so no dramas at all , the easiest shallow water fin i have used so far .

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aussieboats said..
, the easiest shallow water fin i have used so far .

You will have to use a Delta XT to confirm your assessment.

The thing that helps you out in thick weed with the Delta XT is you are able to use a fin around 2cm smaller than other Deltas and get the same amount of grip and less depth of fin means less drag from weed. This is really going to come into play on speed boards when the Delta XT 15 and 14 become available. However some on Budgie are using 20 Delta XT when they could be using a 18 because they love the extra grip and the extra power it gives them to keep them on the plane and blast trough the weed at Budgie. I use Delta XT 16's and love the ability due to there short length to get in and out of the shallowest weediest spots at budgie.

Has anyone tried both fins that *doesn't* sell them?

I have tried the newer BP deltas, The Weedspeed 50 and the Kestrel, at Albany with great results. Far better than the older MUF Deltas (Tried 21, 20 and 19cm). Much more secure and can handle a bit of chop without spinning out. Shed all the weed I encountered there and didn't pitch me over the front even in the thick weed burgs.

see my reports here: gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2017-01-02&team=16
and here: gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2017-01-04&team=16

I have not tried the newer MUF Delta XT to compare. Most of the places I sail don't require those fins. Albany and especially Budgie are the main ones I have encountered. They can be useful at Fangy's, but there I was fine with a 40 degree raked speed fin and mostly fine with Tribal Weedspeed. On one day there I was also being soundly flogged by Chris L who was using a Tribal Weedspeed, obiously with no issues, (but we all know CL is an Alien in disguise).

Sailquik, which do you think would be faster, BP WS50 or Kestral? I'm looking at best fin option for my CA Sp47 at Lilacs (Albany) and Fangy's. I sailed Lilacs previously with CA SL52 and MUF slalom 17, but Had a few spinout issues.
The XT I'm not sure about, is it a freeride, slalom or speed profile? I want something with a good top end.
I think your comments above might relate to Liptons, not Fangy's?

Sailquik's comments do not apply to Fangy's at the moment.The only successful Delta's are these:





View from The Hook Par 5 should clear up any confusion.

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Stretchy said..

BSN101 said..
Watch out! Might be some goodness coming out of Tribal soon.

Please elaborate Dave ??

I had a chat with CL and they are testing some new fins that fit the bill for weed burg slicing. thats all i know

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fangman said..
Sailquik's comments do not apply to Fangy's at the moment.The only successful Delta's are these:





View from The Hook Par 5 should clear up any confusion.

Wow, is there any water under that carpet?

I was referring to Fangy's in Dec 2015. Clearly, it changes!!

Last year everyone was bemoaning the lack of weed there. Just shows you have to be careful what you wish for!

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Stretchy said..
Sailquik, which do you think would be faster, BP WS50 or Kestral? I'm looking at best fin option for my CA Sp47 at Lilacs (Albany) and Fangy's. I sailed Lilacs previously with CA SL52 and MUF slalom 17, but Had a few spinout issues.
The XT I'm not sure about, is it a freeride, slalom or speed profile? I want something with a good top end.
I think your comments above might relate to Liptons, not Fangy's?

I sailed Fangy's in Dec 2015 and Liptons in Jan 2017. The weed was thinner at Liptons this year and my normal 40 deg rake fins were fine there also.
Sorry mate, can't help you much with that question. I used a 25 (20cm) BP Speedweed 50 in the slalom board and 16cm Kestrel in the speed board so not a good speed comparison. Both felt most unlike the original MUF Deltas I have used and own, in that I could put a lot more pressure on them with confidence, and go upwind quite well, even in small chop. To be honest, I don't think there is really a 'speed' or 'slalom' profile for this type of fin. You just pick the size that works in your situation. You really only should use them when more efficient conventional fins don't work, either because of the type of weed, or the danger of very shallow water. And confidence that they won't let go unexpectedly, trumps everything else.

Thanks, useful feedback. 100% agree with your comment re: confidence

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sailquik said..

fangman said..
Sailquik's comments do not apply to Fangy's at the moment.The only successful Delta's are these:





View from The Hook Par 5 should clear up any confusion.

Wow, is there any water under that carpet?

I was referring to Fangy's in Dec 2015. Clearly, it changes!!

Last year everyone was bemoaning the lack of weed there. Just shows you have to be careful what you wish for!

Yes mate there is water, obviously shallow here, but way in the distance the water depth is at 1.5metres and still thick weed. On the plus side it's been a great test bed for for trying all the weed fins.

OK. I got the fins out and had more of a think about it.
Here they are:


They have surprisingly almost identical area. The Weedspeed50 has a more conventional foil. The Kestrel is... well just different.

I think if shallow was the biggest factor, the Kestrel would be the better choice.
If depth is not the main factor I think maybe the Weedspeed50 may be more efficient. It certainly felt like it had more lift upwind given that the surface area is almost the same.

The rake angle of the leading edge is as close as I can tell to identical.

Hmmm, I think weed is biggest factor for Fangy's and Liptons, so WS50 probably best option, particularly if mixed with a bit of chop. Thanks for the photo