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bhc said..MidAtlanticFoil said..The 680 is out for delivery, just in time for some friendly racing tomorrow in solid wind. Last weekend I was out with the same guys on my 725 with similar wind, so it will be interesting to see how it compares while pushing speed. Or I may grab the 525 and smoke these fools

I think it is slower than the 725 based on my very limited experience on a demo day but much easier and friendlier. That may be an advantage with gusts and lulls.
Would love to hear your feedback before deciding what to order next... 680 or 580 or an MA800 for 30kn+ days when the bay gets really choppy and challenging.
Well I certainly got to test the 680 yesterday in 30-40 knot conditions! The guys were racing and I initially grabbed my 2.6M and 525/140red with 40L sinker, but the water was chaos and gusty conditions led to a very frustrating 50/50 gybe make rate so I switched to the 680, 50 fuse with 935 mast btw. Night and day difference, went to 100% gybe make rate and was able to join a few friendly races.
The race course was a simple beam reach for 2-300 yards, back on a broad reach, then back on a beam followed by a deeper broad reach to a finish line. The water conditions in those winds were very challenging with around a mile or two of fetch, plus river currents, setting up waist high cross chop tightly packed. I hit the strongest gusts of my winging life I think at the outside mark, barely able to hold onto my 2.6, holding it basically flat while still flying upwind. I didn't crash or fall once on the races, so that's saying something. Photo of the water conditions at bottom of post.
Now the 680, compared to the 725. The 680 takes off and engages, allowing pumping right away - none of the front leg balancing act of the 725 for those first few seconds. The races last week were similar, except the wind was 18-20knts, so not apples to apples. Reviewing stats on the speeds, the 680 edged out the 725 by less than a knt. The speed max was 17.7 knts, which isn't that fast, but the broad reaches were in my crossed up surf stance, navigating up and overs, straight into a blinding sun reflection, making the water look like molten lava.
Two days ago I ran the 680 with the DW board in more tame conditions and it was really really fun. I ventured further and felt so comfortable. Turns were fluid and intuitive and stall speed was great while bump riding.
I found a great race setup under a bridge. Here's a crop of the track below with a photo from another day for reference (see end of post). I'd never fully gone to the other side of the river at that spot.
I'd say it feels like a 'V1 Ha825'? It doesn't really have that 3rd gear feeling that the HA v1s has, were they kinda let loose, as there's always a bit of 'traction', which makes turn initiation really responsive and dynamic and more confidence inspiring. Ramble over.