I read a review in a UK magazine of an F2 Missile with the plates. They basically said the same thing you are saying. The plates are ill fitting and create turbulence. They were not too impressed by it.

I don't have the magazine now as I passed it on to another windsurfer.

lao shi said...

May 2007 Boards mag Missile XS
"Unfortunately the blanking plates seemed very poorly designed, they weren't even close to being a good fit and thus just caused a whole lot of drag and wake turbulence"

I can send you a scan of the review if you want Bender.

Just sent you a PM Mark

tim90 said...

I wouldn't worry about using the plates;
<snip>
the F2 literature I've read seems to indicate that use of the plates is to allows lighter riders <snip>

Your not having a go at Benders weight there are you tim?

Well i finally got to sail the missile on Saturday(100km's on it). I tried it with the plates in. I had 6.7m sail and a 27cm speed weedy. In 18-22knts i was getting 32-33knt max sppeds.

I took them out and got a 35's straight off the bat.

I did find the up wind ability was slightly better with the plates in.

I dont think i will use them again.

I was supprised to get a decent hr and alpha on such a small board. Overall i'm stoked with the board. I look forward to some serious winter storm action on it.

hardie said...

Bender said...

Well i finally got to sail the missile on Saturday(100km's on it). I tried it with the plates in. I had 6.7m sail and a 27cm speed weedy. In 18-22knts i was getting 32-33knt max sppeds.

I took them out and got a 35's straight off the bat.

I did find the up wind ability was slightly better with the plates in.

I dont think i will use them again.

I was supprised to get a decent hr and alpha on such a small board. Overall i'm stoked with the board. I look forward to some serious winter storm action on it.

The wind did pick up though bud when you did 35kts. I would concentrate on getting the right fin combo's for different wind strengths and water conditions. I'm trying to get the whole fin thing sorted out. Most times I have been under finned!!

Hardie i am prety happy with the fins i have. They are

26cm Tech F1
27cm Weedy (use to be a 38cm kinetic Slalom pointer)
30cm Weddy (use to be a 52cm techonic Mirage)

I have even used a 32cm Tech F1. It feels really solid when my local gets a high tide with shin to knee high chop[}:)]

Jo, next time i'm at novara you are welcome to try them out.

snides8 said...

Hardie, did you get the new weapon out when the wind came in??

Yeh, shocking to sail back up wind, spin out and tripping over the rail, I'll save it for Sandy Point. Definitely very powerful on starboard tack for such a tiny fin, but not worth the grief coming back up wind (port tack) every time