i think i read one of your entries not too long ago talking about light air/formula boards, etc. do you have a go or a nova and if so do you recommend them or anything else in that realm? i specifically want something for conditions up to about 14 which is almost all the time here. thanks
There are a lot of boards similar in shape with widths of 90-100+ cm. They range from "beginner boards" such as the Start and Nova to full out formula boards.
If you want the lightest and fastest, get a Formula. If you want something easier to sail and maintain, don't is the consensus around here. Formulas, in general, are optimized for sailing upwind and downwind as opposed to the beam reaching most of us do.
Boards like the Go, and Free Formulas, Techno Fomula (more of a detuned Formula board) and Prodigy offer almost all the advantages of a Formula board but are cheaper, more durable, a little easier to sail but a bit heavier. But you'd expect that.
The revelation to some of us is that the "beginner boards" in this class perform well enough for most of us, yet are the least expensive and most versatile (let your kid sail it with a 2.5, swap fins, take out the center fin and put up your 9.5).
Especially if you are willing to invest in a larger sail, these boards will dramatically increase your planing time in Atlanta. And, (this is the big point) you don't have to buy the most expensive stuff to reap the benefits.
All that being said, I still prefer a 100 liter board and a 5.5. oh, btw, to answer your question, I have a Start with a 65cm fin. I've used a 6.4 to 9.4 on it. My son sails it with a 40 cm fin and 2.7 sail. There isn't any magic brand anymore (2 years ago, though, the Start was the only game in town) so ring up your local dealer and see what values are out there.
As of 11:00 AM Monday, 2/10, it looks like its trying to blow. I hope to be on the water around 1:00.
Gene
Gene Mathis
Gene,
I'm leaving the office now. I'll see you there.
Bill
i think i read one of your entries not too long ago talking about light air/formula boards, etc. do you have a go or a nova and if so do you recommend them or anything else in that realm? i specifically want something for conditions up to about 14 which is almost all the time here. thanks
There are a lot of boards similar in shape with widths of 90-100+ cm. They range from "beginner boards" such as the Start and Nova to full out formula boards.
If you want the lightest and fastest, get a Formula. If you want something easier to sail and maintain, don't is the consensus around here. Formulas, in general, are optimized for sailing upwind and downwind as opposed to the beam reaching most of us do.
Boards like the Go, and Free Formulas, Techno Fomula (more of a detuned Formula board) and Prodigy offer almost all the advantages of a Formula board but are cheaper, more durable, a little easier to sail but a bit heavier. But you'd expect that.
The revelation to some of us is that the "beginner boards" in this class perform well enough for most of us, yet are the least expensive and most versatile (let your kid sail it with a 2.5, swap fins, take out the center fin and put up your 9.5).
Especially if you are willing to invest in a larger sail, these boards will dramatically increase your planing time in Atlanta. And, (this is the big point) you don't have to buy the most expensive stuff to reap the benefits.
All that being said, I still prefer a 100 liter board and a 5.5. oh, btw, to answer your question, I have a Start with a 65cm fin. I've used a 6.4 to 9.4 on it. My son sails it with a 40 cm fin and 2.7 sail. There isn't any magic brand anymore (2 years ago, though, the Start was the only game in town) so ring up your local dealer and see what values are out there.