WA
1500 posts
Here's my random notes after years of flying with oversized crap. Biggest haul was 4 SUPs, some surf boards and two kits of RSX Olympic stuff, should've been arrested.
A single 30kg bag seriously sucks balls when flying and baggage handlers hate them more than me. Trying to deal with it in transfers, with rental cars, ughhh. I'm too old to start holidays with high intensity weightlifting sessions in and around airports, especially if it's busy.
Chose an airline that has good rates for two accompanying bags of SPORTS EQUIPMENT to and from. Pre book so they know it's coming.
1 X board bag with board + soft stuff (towel, wettie, etc..., light weight cardboard/foam on rails, nose and tail). This will nicely sit on top of a wheeled quiver bag with everything else to all be capable of being dragged around.
I'm usually 1@12-15kg and 1@15-20kg.
Back pack for carry-on loaded with clothes and essentials. No hardware, fins, etc... in the backpack, security wont be happy.
All easily mobile and won't do your back in. And always travel with a pair of roof rack// board ties, can strap big bags to airport trolleys for even easier movement. If worried about the weight, what can you buy cheaply at the other end and leave/give away/sell when you leave?
Get to the airport early, figure out where the oversized bag drop is and then go to the bar for a brekkie beer.
WA
1500 posts
Thanks to Google's AI
1. Manual Power (The Grinders)
The "Engine": The primary manual power source comes from the boat's grinders. Two athletes at the front of the boat spin heavy handles to generate the massive physical energy needed to control the wing sail.
Wingsail Trimming: The grinders' physical effort is used to power the mainsheet winch, pulling the wing sail in or out to match the wind and keep the boat flying optimally.
Jib Control: The forward-facing grinder also controls the jib (the front sail) using a combination of hand cranks and foot pedals.
2. Electric & Hydraulic Power
Batteries: The F50 utilizes high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. These batteries act as a lifeline for the boat's electronics, computer systems, and onboard pumps.
Hydraulic Actuation: Apart from the main wing sail, almost all other trimming and adjustment is powered by electric motors linked to a hydraulic accumulator.
What it Powers: Battery-powered hydraulic systems control active pitch on all foils (hydrofoils), adjustments to the rudders, jib sheet trimming, and wing twist control
WA
1500 posts
Morning thoughts on the topic
1. Pros can get batches of boards, ride the lot a few times over a short period of time and take the ones they like leaving perfectly good boards for plebs like us.
2. Pros will get a board made for a particular comp. Margs is a very particular ride, a good board there could suck balls for PK at the other locations he competes at. He might have had his fun and moved on. Chicken dinner for Bowsa.
3. Builders/brands will often have pre-built, replica, replacement boards sitting around ready to send to the top contenders. These babies can sit unused as designs move on from year to year and be put up for sale in due course.
4. Be warned, there will be no warranty and be prepared for a board that might be a bit unorthodox and to do repairs if you're going to kook out on a light board. Pro (prototype) boards aren't necessarily suited to weekend warriors, they are competition machines or test beds.
WA
1500 posts
The protos I saw were 83, 93 and 99. Reckon there'd be an 87 in there, it's a popular board.
WA
1500 posts
Was nice to hook into a few early morning sets, good to see our local can still offer the odd session.
Say it ten times. Weed fins mandatory with winter swell...
WA
1500 posts
We taught our 2 girls, both under 4 at the time, to treat it like a fair ride. Buckle up and hang on! Nothing breaks the tension like a couple of younglings laughing themselves stupid. On a rough flight into Florida somewhere, we were actually thanked by the flight crew and some passengers. One big bloke said he'd never laughed so hard in his life. Still makes me laugh thinking about it decades later.
WA
1500 posts
Just hoping ETNZ aren't going to be late with the AUS kit like they were with the French obligations during the last cup in Barcelona.
WA
1500 posts
I recently found myself in possession of a production Stone 94 for a few weeks. It is not my board, I was getting some sailing consumables and was asked if Id like to have a go on some new kit. Would've been rude to say no. Hopefully those with more time on the boards can add to this thread.
On land.
The board looks like a classic. Outline, length, the bottom shape, rails... it's all there. The finish of the Severne products keeps getting better, this is a thing of beauty on the rack. For a 94ltr product it's weight is impressive, its almost raceboard light and feels great in the hands.
On water.
I'm a quad/twinnie guy, so not a very good judge of thrusters and weigh in at 93-95kgs. I used the Stone 4-5 times, two lengthy sessions at Lancelin and the rest high wind, bump and jumpish at Dutchies. Unfortunately no serious down the line or down south but I've little doubt the board is made for those conditions, we've all seen the videos.
First saiI set up was with my usual quad fins, 14+10s and was overpowered with a 5.0 at Sth Passage, usual head to maybe 1/2 mast. The board was faster than expected and went upwind very well. Getting into position, bottom turns, top turns all feel natural and effortless. The board went exactly where I wanted and felt confident from the first turn. Just supremely capable without being radical, all in full control. I really noticed the weight, it makes everything easier which might be part of why it's being sailed so well by others. Shape wise is does everything you ask, the light weight just allows you to do the stuff you do better. A second session at Sth Passage was 5.0, a bit shifty, a little onshore now and then and got light. The float and ride was completely unexpected. Very stable slogging around, gets upwind off the plane and that little extra length combined with excellent volume distribution really allows good glide into waves when pumping for wave of the day. Once in the straps you're in a thinner part of the board chuck'n buckets.
I changed the fins to a 18+11 thruster set up, the wind filled back in and it became side shore. Certainly went well with only real difference being I thought the board had more drive off the top as a quad, but probably more to do with my technique than the board/fin arrangement.
At Dutchies I used it as a quad overpowered with a 5.3 and 4.5, also as a 19.5+11 thruster with a 5.6 S-1. It handled the lot with ease and was never fazed.
Thoughts
I have 2 Pyros and sail them a lot. Certainly the 94 Stone was fine with 5.6 to 4.5 as a thruster or a quad. Its surprisingly happy floating around in 10-15knts or having the hammer down in 25-30knts. Having handed the board back, the 2 key aspects of the Stone that sit in my mind are the length and ease of sailing.
The length maybe limits the Stone where the Pyro excels in smaller stuff. With the Stone you get serious all-round wave board performance, it's only upper limit in waves is probably decided by how big your balls are.
Secondly, I found I sailed at my local longer than usual on the Stone. When you step on a Pyro, it's game on, everything is happening fast and you need to be in control or it can chew you up and spit you out. Just blasting around enjoying what the day offers up, the lightweight Stone is almost relaxing to sail compared to a Pyro.
The Stone is a capable, proper wave board and the 94, or even the 88, would more than likely make a great one board solution for me in WA. A very good addition to the Severne wave board line up.
WA
1500 posts
I know it's not everyones cup of tea but I have always found the ebb and flow of tech, money and ego fascinating. And the America's Cup is never without controversy, and it's already game on, again.
No grinders, all electric onboard this time round... WTF?
Pete Burling signs with Luna Rossa... WTdoubleF?
The Cup will be in Naples, Italy... $$$$$splashed
The Brits, Swiss and Yanks are complaining... predictable as ever
Nate Outeridge is lead helm on ETNZ... Go aussie!
