TAS
455 posts
I've recently bought an airush exile board for these borderline winter days. It absolutely cranks to windward in this light stuff, and I get going much earlier and better than almost everyone on the water. I love it. But (and there's always a "but") I am finding that the fins on it seem too big. It turns like a dog - if you don't manage a really smooth transition, the fins bite hard and you just stop. This is particularly a problem in the waves, when in the past my technique has been quickly flipping from heelside to toe side, rather than smooth transitions. Also, occasionally I've caught the toeside fins and just face-planted. These aren't exactly disasters, but it does take away from the fun a bit.
So I was wondering whether anyone has had a play with fin sizes on it. I was wondering about maybe just changing the toe-side fins for something smaller first, and see how it performs, but I didn't want to go and spend any money if I don't need to. Has anyone else tried this?
I have heard about a few people taking the fins off altogether. How doew that affect performance? One thing I've found with the board is that if you ever lose your edge in a sudden gust or whatever, it's really quite hard to get your edge back. Would taking the fins off make this even worse?
Keen to hear what other people have found.
Cheers, Brady
WA
177 posts
brady ,
i'm a big fan of the exile - especially as a light wind wave riding board - in fact i find i'm riding it more and more - ijust change to a small kite early so i'm never too powered up - the board works great right through the bottom 2/3 of your kites wind range.
The face plant thing is probably more a function of the relatively short length and flat rocker - it happened to me a bit at first but after a while you will find this just stops happening - as you adjust to the balance of the board.
The big fins are great in the surf as they deliver a sure footed grippy bottom turn - the same fins , albeit on the other side, give a great projection out of the lip when you are doin the reo.
On a recent trip to gnaraloo in april the exile was even working really well down the line - the trick is to keep it on a rail at all times. You can send the board into a reo when you THINK are going way too fast - the joyous shaped rails and near perfect outline of the board allow the edge to hold in and throw buckets of spray.
The great thing is you can be on a 12 when the crew are on 16s and you will fly upwind due to the reduced drag.
Having said that - may riders have commented that for flat water antics smaller fins are more comfy as they allow the board to do the flick to toeside much easier. If you are chasing smaller fins 40mm Airush or Flying Objects fins seem to be the magic size. My advice would be to try some smaller fins for the flat stuff but the 65mm fins are gold in the surf.
As an 87 kg rider - its my fave board in the range and gives the same bottom end as a surf board with MOST OF the surf ability thrown in along with the ability to be strapped in and do jumps - in short its an unbeatable all rounder !BTW -There is only 1 exile left in the country but there will be more in late August - we expect these to again be a strong mover in the Airush board line up.
Hope this helps.
TAS
455 posts
thanks matress-boy. I might try some smaller fins, as I'm mainly getting out on the river in these north-easterlies we're getting.
now's the time for the silly follow-up question: What's a reo? I've never been any good on the terms for the different moves.
B
