Velocicraptor said..

miamiwngr said..
My 75l frank custom weighs 4.2kg

What dims is yours? Are you winging and parawinging it? Im doing 6', 20", 73L (80kg).

5 11 by 19.25. I'm same weight as you. My only board for a long time has been a 60l kt custom which is very similar to the current super k v2. I've started dabbling with parawinging and wanted more volume to make things easier.

Pictures please!

Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

LucasUK said..
Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

I have a handful of sessions on a production 70L now. Mostly parawinging 2.4 and 3.6 ozone PR's and a few 3.6m wing sessions in our local bay. The board rips, I'm 80kg before a 5/4 wetsuit this time of year and coming off an armstrong 75l, I haven't missed the volume but I also haven't really needed to slog much so hard to say on that front. As soon as the parawing has a little bit of pull it's been easy to pump onto foil. I think that flatter tail releases really well and it's an easy board to stand on and wait for a good gust. You definitely notice having the volume shifted forward as it doesn't tend to bog the nose when pumping to engage the foil. Touch downs haven't been an issue and it's been easy to pump back out of the hole with both ha780/uha870. I'm a fan of the slight concave by the front foot and the flat deck pad. My board weighed in at 4.67kg/10.3lbs. The board bag is really nice, zips from the top and bottom are a sweet and fits the board well.

FoilWays said..

covertswell said..

LucasUK said..
Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

I have a handful of sessions on a production 70L now. Mostly parawinging 2.4 and 3.6 ozone PR's and a few 3.6m wing sessions in our local bay. The board rips, I'm 80kg before a 5/4 wetsuit this time of year and coming off an armstrong 75l, I haven't missed the volume but I also haven't really needed to slog much so hard to say on that front. As soon as the parawing has a little bit of pull it's been easy to pump onto foil. I think that flatter tail releases really well and it's an easy board to stand on and wait for a good gust. You definitely notice having the volume shifted forward as it doesn't tend to bog the nose when pumping to engage the foil. Touch downs haven't been an issue and it's been easy to pump back out of the hole with both ha780/uha870. I'm a fan of the slight concave by the front foot and the flat deck pad. My board weighed in at 4.67kg/10.3lbs. The board bag is really nice, zips from the top and bottom are a sweet and fits the board well.

How have you found the stiffness and responsiveness? I have 2 Armie MLs (55 / 65) and that's one thing I love about those boards. They are on the heavy side, but they are stiff and super responsive. I come from Appletrees, which are even stiffer, so I notice these things.I'm been looking at an 80L or perhaps 70L Mini Dart, for my 85kg, for Parawing, but I want to make sure it's going to be stiff and responsive.

I couldn't really say if it's as stiff or stiffer than my armstrong board, but I'm really liking it. Seems plenty stiff enough for my 80kg and it's got no problem pumping or turning hard

I just got a week in on my custom Mini Dart, 6', 20" 73L and I'm 80kg. I had this board built as a crossover wing/parawing board, and I wanted to trade a little more width for a little less volume vs stock. Most of my sessions were winging due to lighter winds, but I also took out the parawing several times. Loving this board for both disciplines. Tons of stability, and extremely efficient takeoff/touchdown. Im used to riding a 5' board but due to the lighter weight (3.5kg) and center stance on the Frank, the added 12" of length doesn't really bother me in terms of swing weight or maneuverability. I find that the board can still surf very aggressively for a board of its length.

Regarding stiffness, I'm coming from mostly Appletree boards (stiff) and I don't notice any softness in the Frank. Did a good bit of downwind-type riding with lots of pumping and found it pumped very efficiently - thats often where I can feel softness in a board's construction.

My AFS foils are mounted almost dead center in the tracks. It came with 16" tracks, but I would probably have gone for short tracks if I did it again.

The shape is great, but I think I'm most impressed by the weight. Really makes a big difference vs similar sized mid lengths Ive tried - particularly given that its still very stiff. At this weight, I feel like I'm gaining a lot and trading off very little vs a shorter board. On a heavier board those tradeoffs are very different for me personally - but obviously depends on type of riding. The purpose of the board was a crossover and for that purpose I'm very happy. Only thing I'm not doing on this board is jumping.

covertswell said..

BWJ said..

covertswell said..

LucasUK said..
Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

I have a handful of sessions on a production 70L now. Mostly parawinging 2.4 and 3.6 ozone PR's and a few 3.6m wing sessions in our local bay. The board rips, I'm 80kg before a 5/4 wetsuit this time of year and coming off an armstrong 75l, I haven't missed the volume but I also haven't really needed to slog much so hard to say on that front. As soon as the parawing has a little bit of pull it's been easy to pump onto foil. I think that flatter tail releases really well and it's an easy board to stand on and wait for a good gust. You definitely notice having the volume shifted forward as it doesn't tend to bog the nose when pumping to engage the foil. Touch downs haven't been an issue and it's been easy to pump back out of the hole with both ha780/uha870. I'm a fan of the slight concave by the front foot and the flat deck pad. My board weighed in at 4.67kg/10.3lbs. The board bag is really nice, zips from the top and bottom are a sweet and fits the board well.

Hi, great to hear the boards working well for you. I've got the same board on order, also using Armstrong foils. Just wanted to ask where you setting your mast, with reference to rear of mast plate. Was riding ML65 previously with rear of mast plate at around 10-11.

thanks

I've been playing around with mast position the last few sessions, with a UHA 870 I've liked 10/11 on the mini dart as well, I went up to 13 recently and found it was off balance and my pumping cadence felt off. I would start around 10 (foil depending) and go from there

Another data point - I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML. My mast plate was at 13 on the Armie and I've settled on 17 on the Axis. I'm using front foot straps set in the middle holes. I tend to ride with the mast more forward than most people. I ride Armstrong HA foils, usually 780.

Also, my Armie M7 track nuts would not fit in the Axis tracks and had to be filed narrower. GoFoil and Foil Drive track nuts would also not fit. So before you go to the beach, check your nuts.

I like the board a lot, great release off the water.

Radair.....I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML

I'm looking hard at forking out on a mid length at the moment and the Armstrong is a top contender. Interested to know why you replaced yours with the Axis?

radair said..

covertswell said..

BWJ said..

covertswell said..

LucasUK said..
Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

I have a handful of sessions on a production 70L now. Mostly parawinging 2.4 and 3.6 ozone PR's and a few 3.6m wing sessions in our local bay. The board rips, I'm 80kg before a 5/4 wetsuit this time of year and coming off an armstrong 75l, I haven't missed the volume but I also haven't really needed to slog much so hard to say on that front. As soon as the parawing has a little bit of pull it's been easy to pump onto foil. I think that flatter tail releases really well and it's an easy board to stand on and wait for a good gust. You definitely notice having the volume shifted forward as it doesn't tend to bog the nose when pumping to engage the foil. Touch downs haven't been an issue and it's been easy to pump back out of the hole with both ha780/uha870. I'm a fan of the slight concave by the front foot and the flat deck pad. My board weighed in at 4.67kg/10.3lbs. The board bag is really nice, zips from the top and bottom are a sweet and fits the board well.

Hi, great to hear the boards working well for you. I've got the same board on order, also using Armstrong foils. Just wanted to ask where you setting your mast, with reference to rear of mast plate. Was riding ML65 previously with rear of mast plate at around 10-11.

thanks

I've been playing around with mast position the last few sessions, with a UHA 870 I've liked 10/11 on the mini dart as well, I went up to 13 recently and found it was off balance and my pumping cadence felt off. I would start around 10 (foil depending) and go from there

Another data point - I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML. My mast plate was at 13 on the Armie and I've settled on 17 on the Axis. I'm using front foot straps set in the middle holes. I tend to ride with the mast more forward than most people. I ride Armstrong HA foils, usually 780.

Also, my Armie M7 track nuts would not fit in the Axis tracks and had to be filed narrower. GoFoil and Foil Drive track nuts would also not fit. So before you go to the beach, check your nuts.

I like the board a lot, great release off the water.

A mate had the same on his new Axis board, seems the tracks got squeezed during manufacture, replaced under warranty.

AnyBoard said..

kersh said..
Radair.....I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML

I'm looking hard at forking out on a mid length at the moment and the Armstrong is a top contender. Interested to know why you replaced yours with the Axis?

I have the 75 and my wife has the 65l a the the shape works well for pw but I think they are way too heavy for their size. My 75l is 5.6 kg. I would grab one cheap second hand but for new price I want at least 1kg lighter.

Custom is more expensive but waaaay lighter.

kersh said..
Thanks for the feedback on the Armies....I'm 70-72kg, so looking at a 65L of any of the ML's ( most brands ). Will eventually get a parawing for getting upwind and behind the swells to ride back and repeat.

I am 65kg with about 100 sessions on the parawing and the 75l is so much easier to get up on when the wind drops than the 65. I don't know if it is just a surface area thing due to the length or a combination of the extra volume and length. when I get a new pw board it will be light and I don't think I will go under my weight in volume or short of 6' for a one board quiver. I am hour north of you and you know how our ne winds can let us down sometimes. I have spent a lot of time in your area foiling over the last 8 years and we probably know each other. Hahaha pm me if you wish to know more about the boards.

Velocicraptor said..

AnyBoard said..

kersh said..
Radair.....I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML

I'm looking hard at forking out on a mid length at the moment and the Armstrong is a top contender. Interested to know why you replaced yours with the Axis?

I have the 75 and my wife has the 65l a the the shape works well for pw but I think they are way too heavy for their size. My 75l is 5.6 kg. I would grab one cheap second hand but for new price I want at least 1kg lighter.

Custom is more expensive but waaaay lighter.

Any idea how it is build to get so light?

radair said..

covertswell said..

BWJ said..

covertswell said..

LucasUK said..
Anyone has got any real review of the production frank mini darts ?

I have a handful of sessions on a production 70L now. Mostly parawinging 2.4 and 3.6 ozone PR's and a few 3.6m wing sessions in our local bay. The board rips, I'm 80kg before a 5/4 wetsuit this time of year and coming off an armstrong 75l, I haven't missed the volume but I also haven't really needed to slog much so hard to say on that front. As soon as the parawing has a little bit of pull it's been easy to pump onto foil. I think that flatter tail releases really well and it's an easy board to stand on and wait for a good gust. You definitely notice having the volume shifted forward as it doesn't tend to bog the nose when pumping to engage the foil. Touch downs haven't been an issue and it's been easy to pump back out of the hole with both ha780/uha870. I'm a fan of the slight concave by the front foot and the flat deck pad. My board weighed in at 4.67kg/10.3lbs. The board bag is really nice, zips from the top and bottom are a sweet and fits the board well.

Hi, great to hear the boards working well for you. I've got the same board on order, also using Armstrong foils. Just wanted to ask where you setting your mast, with reference to rear of mast plate. Was riding ML65 previously with rear of mast plate at around 10-11.

thanks

I've been playing around with mast position the last few sessions, with a UHA 870 I've liked 10/11 on the mini dart as well, I went up to 13 recently and found it was off balance and my pumping cadence felt off. I would start around 10 (foil depending) and go from there

Another data point - I have the 70L Axis mini-dart, which replaced a 65L Armstrong ML. My mast plate was at 13 on the Armie and I've settled on 17 on the Axis. I'm using front foot straps set in the middle holes. I tend to ride with the mast more forward than most people. I ride Armstrong HA foils, usually 780.

Also, my Armie M7 track nuts would not fit in the Axis tracks and had to be filed narrower. GoFoil and Foil Drive track nuts would also not fit. So before you go to the beach, check your nuts.

I like the board a lot, great release off the water.

Following up after another dozen or so sessions, back to 13 on the tracks mostly parawing the uha 870 & 670