Ok, I've been sailing with conventional weed fins for a while now, but don't feel really comfortable on the big bear always at say 36+ kts. Used a C3 Slingshot 23 over winter (thanks Bender) and LOVED it. Felt in control and like I could really go for it. Decided I still wanted a bit of rake for weed, so decided the Vector Weed Speed was probably what I needed. I like the short wide concept. Now to confuse matters I have recently tried the more radical Maui Ultra Fin Delta weedy (thanks Fangy) and liked that too, but I wouldn't buy one over the Vector just to get into weedier/shallower water.
So assuming all other elements are constant (mug sailer, 5.8m sail, 55cm wide board, fairly flat water), comparing a 23cm Vector with a 18cm MUF, any advice specifically on
1/ relative ability to hit 40kts
2/ relative stability at those speeds - this is probably most important as I think the fear factor is my biggest issue ATM

In theory it depends how choppy, your fairly flat water is. The MUF will be more prone to ventilation the choppier it gets.

If you liked the 23cm C3 Slingshot, you would love a 23cm Tribal Symmetrical Speed or WeedSpeed.

The speed has more rake than the Slingshot so is fine in light to moderate weed (Lake George). For heavier weed go the Weedspeed.

Full on Delta wedgy fins are strictly for thick, problem weed IMHO. Too much compromise for anything else.

53cm wide board is pretty big .... unless you are 100kg... in which case go for it.

It is also pretty wide for a small fin.

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sailquik said..
If you liked the 23cm C3 Slingshot, you would love a 23cm Tribal Symmetrical Speed or WeedSpeed.

The speed has more rake than the Slingshot so is fine in light to moderate weed (Lake George). For heavier weed go the Weedspeed.

Full on Delta wedgy fins are strictly for thick, problem weed IMHO. Too much compromise for anything else.

Haven't seen the tribal, I have some googling to do!
Cheers

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mathew said..
53cm wide board is pretty big .... unless you are 100kg... in which case go for it.

It is also pretty wide for a small fin.

These are wide base / low aspect fins, so those lengths are equivalent to something several cm longer
Yes my board is a bit wide for speed, I would like to get something around 50cm wide.

Having done more k's than most on a Delta here is my two cents worth Stretchy:
I agree with Sailquik. The Delta's are at home in shallows or heavy weed. Anywhere else there are better options. Full stop. They are a very specific fin for a very specific set of environmental conditions. Think F1 car, great on race track, hopeless just about everywhere else.

The steep rake also affords a degree of safety if you hit something( Grumpynuts effort last week notwithstanding). They are entirely predictable in behavior and will reattach easily. They will track at high speed with no mischief. They DO require a change in your technique. they are NOT the same as standard weedy's. Too much back foot or chop will cause cavitation.

Wide tail boards require a bigger Delta than you would normally use. The leverage on a wide board with weight on the rail will overpower the fin and you will dig in the windward rail and you will be slow. I have found the best speed and upwind performance is a little counter intuitive. Once you are in the SMOOTH, point your toes and dig in the leeward rail a little bit, like you are about to bear away, but keep sail trimmed back so you are still pulling upwind. You use the leeward rail for lateral resistance. Similarly on my wider boards I have moved my straps inboard when using a Delta to stop weight going on the windward rail.

Now I reckon that's amazing value for two cents :-P)

I have a 19cm MUF Delta and a 23cm Vector Speed Weed.

The MUF will take on heavy weed at high speed no problem. The problem for me is that I find it spins out easily as soon as I hit chop or push hard on the fin. On the up side you can feel it about to go and its pretty easy to recover if you're quick. Obviously dealing with this stuff is bloody scary at 35knt+ so I avoid using it unless the weed is really heavy or water is super shallow, and in that case I try not to push hard.

The Vector always feels rock solid and handles chop really well. To me it feels really fast on flat water and never gives me the feeling its about to let go. It lets you just focus on trying to push faster. I haven't yet tried it in heavy weed but it blasts through moderate stuff no issue.

Hope that is helpful

Thanks for the feedback Fangy and Stu
Yes good value and very helpful!
Agree, from my brief experience with the MUF that when it starts to let go it is fairly predictable. I didn't find it particularly difficult to sail. I think I'm leaning to the Vector though. A 23 (or 21) weed speed will still give me a significant weed/depth advantage over my current 26cm FO Weedster (cut down from 28).

I agree Stretch, unless you are going to sail Fangy's or Boombas weed sections the Vector would be a better option.

I ordered a 23cm Vector weed speed
Now I need wind!

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Stretchy said..
I ordered a 23cm Vector weed speed
Now I need wind!

The 23cm Vector weed Speed would suit the Carbon Art speed 40 (U borrowed from me and broke the 40knt barrier with and that's for sale) perfectly

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Stretchy said...
I ordered a 23cm Vector weed speed
Now I need wind!

Awesome fin...have done all my PB's with that fin...rock solid

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Bender said..

Stretchy said..
I ordered a 23cm Vector weed speed
Now I need wind!

The 23cm Vector weed Speed would suit the Carbon Art speed 40 (U borrowed from me and broke the 40knt barrier with and that's for sale) perfectly

I found that fin too large for my CA40 when I tried it. I swapped it for a 19cm Vector weed speed 20cm is plenty and I use 16.5 and 18cm Tribal mostly in the CA40.

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Bender said..

Stretchy said..
I ordered a 23cm Vector weed speed
Now I need wind!

The 23cm Vector weed Speed would suit the Carbon Art speed 40 (U borrowed from me and broke the 40knt barrier with and that's for sale) perfectly

Yes, yes, I know Ben.
I was surprised she who must be obeyed gave me permission to buy the fin!
I'll see how I survive the Christmas spend up......
sailquik is probably right though, I had decrepid's 19cm on the CA on Saturday

Well to follow up, I bought the Vector weed speed 23cm and gave it it's first run at Mandurah on Wednesday. Felt pretty good, did a 37knt 2S and a PB alpha. TrIed it out again in Bunbury today and it went well again in gusty/holey choppy conditions. Happy with my choice

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fangman said..
Having done more k's than most on a Delta here is my two cents worth Stretchy:
I agree with Sailquik. The Delta's are at home in shallows or heavy weed. Anywhere else there are better options. Full stop. They are a very specific fin for a very specific set of environmental conditions. Think F1 car, great on race track, hopeless just about everywhere else.

The steep rake also affords a degree of safety if you hit something( Grumpynuts effort last week notwithstanding). They are entirely predictable in behavior and will reattach easily. They will track at high speed with no mischief. They DO require a change in your technique. they are NOT the same as standard weedy's. Too much back foot or chop will cause cavitation.

Wide tail boards require a bigger Delta than you would normally use. The leverage on a wide board with weight on the rail will overpower the fin and you will dig in the windward rail and you will be slow. I have found the best speed and upwind performance is a little counter intuitive. Once you are in the SMOOTH, point your toes and dig in the leeward rail a little bit, like you are about to bear away, but keep sail trimmed back so you are still pulling upwind. You use the leeward rail for lateral resistance. Similarly on my wider boards I have moved my straps inboard when using a Delta to stop weight going on the windward rail.

Now I reckon that's amazing value for two cents :-P)

New Years Day in Peel Inlet....not to be confused with the Maranoa Trench.
Clip pauses at 0.12 secs where the Delta can be clearly seen. Hardly scientific but interesting.
The crab was truly delicious in a mornay sauce!

Very nice Wazza, pass on my compliments to Brady. What speed do you reckon you were going and was that crab 127mm?

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fangman said..
Very nice Wazza, pass on my compliments to Brady. What speed do you reckon you were going and was that crab 127mm?

Speed was around the 25-26 knots mark.
Whilst measuring the crab carapace the micrometer calipers clearly showed it to be in the "whopper" category ie 127.001mm. That's way bigger than legal.
Yum

Great stuff Wazza, and congrats to Brady for being brave enough to stand that close to your flight path!
And how did he tame that crab? Whenever I've been that close, they go into instant attack mode, claws extended to max in a full on charge.

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decrepit said..
Great stuff Wazza, and congrats to Brady for being brave enough to stand that close to your flight path!
And how did he tame that crab? Whenever I've been that close, they go into instant attack mode, claws extended to max in a full on charge.

Brady reckons he's a crab whisperer and there aren't many about apparently.
And he stood "that close" 'cos I had covered both his port and starboard exits on my approach. And he was ankle deep in mud.

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WazzaYotty said..



New Years Day in Peel Inlet....not to be confused with the Maranoa Trench.
Clip pauses at 0.12 secs where the Delta can be clearly seen. Hardly scientific but interesting.
The crab was truly delicious in a mornay sauce!

Nice footage Wazza

New Years Day update at Peel Inlet

Starring, in order of nothing in particular, Basil, Fin and Wazza from the Mandurah Mob ( and a random teabagger).
Cameraman : Brady "Madman" Lowe
Music : Water Music



It was a beautiful day...........................

Sweet Jamie awesome job

very nice work there Wazza And Brady