Formula Boards for Low Wind Freeriding

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highvolume

TAS

214 posts

highvolume

TAS, 214 posts

8 Jun 2010 3:55pm

Hi,

There has been a bit of discussion over the merits new JP lightwind board and comparing it with other alternatives such as using a formula board. It seems apparent from that discussion that there are plenty of people around using them for non formula purposes.

Over the last season i have been using a formula board (fanatic t2) as a my early planing board with a 8.5m rig (ezzy infinity) and a 70cm fin. It goes great and i have really been enjoying sailing it, but was wondering if anyone had any good tips for sailing with this type of setup? The manufactures don't really seem to provide any advice in this area.

I have another 70cm fin that i was thinking of cutting down to about 60cm to see what difference it made. Also the JP board has the footstraps further inboard than a formula board do you think it would be worth moving the back strap inboard a couple of cm's on a formula board for freeriding?

I know formula boards are built for a specialist purpose (ie course racing) but mine is giving me plenty of extra tow, so for me its been a good thing.

cheers chris

Leman

VIC

672 posts

Leman

VIC, 672 posts

8 Jun 2010 4:15pm

I'm no Formula expert, I just sailed mine for 2 summers in lightwinds, also with an 8.5 sail. I personally like the footstraps right out, enjoying the real locked in feel.

Only thing I don't like about the Formula for light wind is it doesn't go upwind that well when not planning, compared to what I would expect a large freeride board to do with a centreboard. Funnily enough my Hypersonic (which I use instead of my Formula), upwinds well when not planning, I believe because the deep concaves unintentionally work as a centreboard. Still it is quite uncomfortable and unbalanced when not planning compared to the Formula.

RE: smaller fin. When I asked the same question a while back Gestalt mentioned that even with a smaller sail a Formula should use the bigger fin because of the board width. I didn't bother purchasing a smaller fin after I was told this so I can't confirm or deny.

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

8 Jun 2010 6:04pm

Dear lord, people are actually starting to listen to Gestalt now. Smaller fins work fine, I used a fanatic T2 down to 52cm fin with a 7.6 race sail. If I was racing I definitely would use a 70/66cm fin.

ducati

QLD

474 posts

ducati

QLD, 474 posts

8 Jun 2010 6:33pm

I've got a '02 SB 186 formula board which has a 73.5 tail
I use with a 9m sailworks Retro
I found the 70cm fin had too much drag and no real advantage for early planing or pointing and now run a 65 (which mightn't sound a big diff) but feels heaps better.
So try cutting it down to 65 first I think 60 could be a bit drastic imho

mathew

QLD

2172 posts

mathew

QLD, 2172 posts

8 Jun 2010 8:16pm

I ran a 48cm with a 9.5m on an F2 formula - great combo for free sailing in 10kn... In the lumpy 1m Port Phillip Bay chop, it completely eliminated the yawing motion that you get when the board gets airborne with big fins - it even makes small jumps pleasant (given the sail size).

But I wouldn't go this small for racing against your mates (I'd like to try 55cm or so), as the board just gets a bit of spinout when pointing hard upwind, or when going real deep.

Gestalt

QLD

14968 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14968 posts

8 Jun 2010 9:02pm

^ the spinout witht he smaller fins when going hard upwind is what turned me off them. i found the 70cm more desirable for me and yes it is more difficult when landing jumps as the board bucks you to leeward.

but, it depends on the fin.

i have a 66cm C3 that has more lift and power than any of my other fins and hits it's top end in under 15knots.

my 70cm deboichet is not as quick off the line but has a higher top end and wider wind range

my 70cm curtis has better low end than the deb but isn't as quick top end and looses some control when maxed out.

tried a 65cm curtis also. let go real early pointing hard but had very good top end

footstrap wise i would think if you run a smaller fin you need to set your straps further inboard. but i like powered up hiked out sailng so the outboard and biig fins suits. the biggest tip i ever got from a pro sailor was put your boom high and run very long lines. that makes a huge difference. in both light and heavy air.

highvolume

TAS

214 posts

highvolume

TAS, 214 posts

8 Jun 2010 9:28pm

Hi all,

Thanks for the input, seeing as i have an identical pair of 70cm fins I might have to have a go at chopping off 5cm at a time and see where I end up.

Will have to try the super high boom setup, I have seen it in photos but thought it would be too hard to use, i have adjustable lines so should be easy to experiment with.

What about adjustable outhauls? do you think they are worth using for freeriding? My north boom doesn't have rollers in the clew fitting so am not sure whether it would be worth retrofitting some rollers for an adjustable outhaul or just not bother.

cheers chris

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

8 Jun 2010 10:25pm

Absolutely adjustable outhaul worth it, you can immediately trim the sail to the conditions and point of sail.

Gestalt

QLD

14968 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14968 posts

8 Jun 2010 10:32pm

hey mk we agree.

Leman

VIC

672 posts

Leman

VIC, 672 posts

8 Jun 2010 11:37pm

mkseven said...

Absolutely adjustable outhaul worth it, you can immediately trim the sail to the conditions and point of sail.

RE: adjustable outhaul. I have one on my large boom, but I have never known what to do with the rope that hangs out that you pull to adjust. Do you tie it to your boom and let is hang down? Put a bowline in it and let it hang? Or attach it around your mast somehow?

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

8 Jun 2010 11:48pm

Everyone does something different- some people use 2-3mm bungee cord and connect around the front of the mast. Me I just let them hang down- it helps though to use similar rope to what the chinook systems come with as its stiff enough not to loop round ur boom several times.

highvolume

TAS

214 posts

highvolume

TAS, 214 posts

9 Jun 2010 6:58pm

Thanks for all you help...

i am going to have to go the adjustable outhaul, the tail off my old gun sails boom (It has rollers) might fit in my north boom, other wise i might have to strap on some blocks onto the boom, there seemed to be a few solutions to this hanging round on the net.

Cheers Chris

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