I started sailing on a mistral flow in 02. My second one is about to de-lam (they get a lot of use) and I am wondering if there is anything that compares re ease of gybing, handling chop etc. I have tried quite a few other boards and quite frankly there is nothing that feels like a flow, sounds w4nky but its true! Does anyone sail a 08 flow who can compare them to the old ones?
I have read a few board reviews in American mags but I am sceptical about how impartial a mag could be, given they rely on board companies for most of their ad revenue.

I think mine is an 03 blue 105 and she's a classic
She's done a 25.35 Alpha,been over 35kts and I can uphaul her in no wind.
I'll just keep saying that boards will have to come back to this shape one day

Got my 276 sitting in my shed, it's a beautiful thing

i still keep my 266 custom have been told to sell it but nada[}:)] will and always be a keeper..great you asked cuz i don't think there is an all around board during it's time that is short of excellent in all conditions and will still be par with some of today's board..my opinion

Dammit, don't tell me that!

I bought Nebbian's Flow and sold it again without even trying it!

I have a Mistral Classic 103l which is the same design but tougher construction. I hope to keep it going for a few more years.

Thanks for your imput guys, although that does exacerbate my problem. I now have to look for another 2nd hand flow rather than just turning up to the shop with my credit card.

I started with on a' classic' then found a nice spearmint flow after the classic de-lamed. It is interesting to note that the classic has no screw vent, which may have contributed its early demise??

Does anyone know if it is possible to 'peel' off the de-lamed plastic outer and get the core fibreglassed?? It did some research via this forum on repairing a delamed board but didn't tackle it. If it's possible to glass it who does it??

Hi Lyle (although you were an F2 man... you're still right and still the guru),

The blue ones didn't delam because they were an epoxy costruction out of the cobra factory whereas the green were a thermoformed construction.

They rode differently too. (I sailed both head to head to see if I should up-grade to the blue) The green was smoother through chop and a bit looser 'cos it had a lot more V, more rail lift up forward and weren't as stiff. The blue ones were a tad lighter, had a flatter bottom shape and so were a bit faster, but a slightly harsher ride.

Unfortunately I never got to try the ones that followed (blue with green and black decal -Flow V95 and V105 etc) these were also epoxy from the cobra factory, were a bit shorter and had a more rounded nose.

I'd love to hear from anyone who got to compare the green flow (266,276) with the V95 or V105.

Krisiz1 said...

Thanks for your imput guys, although that does exacerbate my problem. I now have to look for another 2nd hand flow rather than just turning up to the shop with my credit card.

I started with on a' classic' then found a nice spearmint flow after the classic de-lamed. It is interesting to note that the classic has no screw vent, which may have contributed its early demise??

Does anyone know if it is possible to 'peel' off the de-lamed plastic outer and get the core fibreglassed?? It did some research via this forum on repairing a delamed board but didn't tackle it. If it's possible to glass it who does it??

I hate to disagree with other Flow owners, but you should take a few newer boards out and see what you think, if you haven't already done it. You will probably find a board that's close enough to a Flow for you. My favorite for normal freeride type use is a Mistral Syncro, but there are plenty of boards out there that are good.

I have a 276 blue flow, which was the 'custom' construction; AKA normal epoxy/polystyrene/divinycell sandwich, instead if the plastic ASA construction used in the green versions.

I think the advantage they have over newer boards is that they are narrower compared to a current board of the same volume. This might help in chop, depending on your weight. I found the blue one I have feels fast, but I haven't really compared it against any other boards in the same conditions.

One thing I do believe though is that the modern wider boards are much nicer to get going, probably due just to the width. The Flow on the other hand took a little bit of coaxing to get going.

Your ASA board doesn't have a divinycell layer, so if you were to try glassing it it wouldn't have the strength it needs. If you wanted to add the divinycell layer then you are probably looking at spending more than a good second hand 'blue' flow would cost you.

What are you after in a new board?

I had the runt of that litter,(85l) maybe a 260? didn't like it much anyway, also had a mistral screamer from similar era which was better. My favorites from that era were the fanatics (fly, gecko and hawk), pity about the trim box though.

Its fortunate that the board you like was so popular, shouldn't be to hard to find a replacement.

The green flows were smooth like the '98 screamers, but even better. (better pads, strap positioning and rail shape)
The blue flows (customs) were definitely a bumpier ride, but still not as bumpy as some of the other boards.

I've also considered taking my green flow to a custom board maker and getting it reproduced. I'd love to try the same bottom shape but at a kilo or so lighter (and with a shorter, rounded nose)
- might have to look at the 103lt rather than my trusty 93lt 'cos I don't think I'm getting any lighter

I've also heard that some of the Fanatics in the early 2000's were pretty highly regarded for similar characteristics.

Sounds like an obession to me. Caught Bondy on his Flow one day( well almost) catapulted just before I passed him.

I replaced my 268 Screamer with a 2003 JP FSW 91. The 03 FSW in particular was an excellent board and I felt better than my Screamer (I did like the Screamer). The JP FSW was faster, planed way earlier, just as easy to to gybe but a little slashier and as smooth in chop. It was a little more technical to trim and set up. But if you go down the FSW path for a Flow replacement the 03's the go. The 02, 04 to 06 were quite different.

Wet Willy said...

Dammit, don't tell me that!

I bought Nebbian's Flow and sold it again without even trying it!

now why in this world would someone do that???

I'm getting a "flow" custom made. Will report on the result when I get it.

ikw777 said...

I will be very interested to this when it arrives. Do you have an ETA?

I have to drop off a flow for him to copy so don't yet but I am pretty excited. Will keep you posted