Select to expand quoteSail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were a bit narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
Select to expand quoteGazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
Select to expand quoteMaddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
Select to expand quotejn1 said..Maddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
I only know my boards by board width (ie 105L - 63 wide for my rocket and 116L - 71 wide JP Slalom), but i use a 31 weedy in my Rocket (105l) and a 36cm weedy in my 71 wide slalom board. I usually cheat with my 133 litre JP slalom board and use the same fin (38cm weedy) as i can get away with it and its quick.
Select to expand quotejn1 said..Maddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
A lot of people use weedies in the Windtechs to settle them down a bit. The extra rail length means they still go upwind great . They still scuttle across the top of the chop.. I only ever use weedies on mine and they are the boards that have taught me about going across chop rather than through..
I mainly used weedies on my slalom boards which may be why I felt I smashed through chop.
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..jn1 said..Maddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
A lot of people use weedies in the Windtechs to settle them down a bit. The extra rail length means they still go upwind great . They still scuttle across the top of the chop.. I only ever use weedies on mine and they are the boards that have taught me about going across chop rather than through..
I mainly used weedies on my slalom boards which may be why I felt I smashed through chop.
Yeah if you get the right pointer in your slalom board they should sit more on top of the chop and its a much nicer feeling, hence after doing that the weedies feel so rubbish.
Select to expand quoteMaddlad said..jn1 said..Maddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
I only know my boards by board width (ie 105L - 63 wide for my rocket and 116L - 71 wide JP Slalom), but i use a 31 weedy in my Rocket (105l) and a 36cm weedy in my 71 wide slalom board. I usually cheat with my 133 litre JP slalom board and use the same fin (38cm weedy) as i can get away with it and its quick.
To determine optimum / maximum fin size it is the TAIL width that counts, not the OVERALL width.
Because the proportion of tail width versus fin depth, is what determines the leverage.
Rule of thumb for maximum fin size, for an upright fin, is: [tail width] plus 2-3 cm.
For swept and weed fins it is hard to determine a rule of thumb.
Because their amount of lift per cm depth is larger than with upright fins. Plus there is a lot of variation in this ratio between designs.
I've used exocet Slalom boards as they've always been smooth ride oriented while maintaining that sharp edge Slalom feel. Easy to dial in to get it flying above the chop.
For really bumpy high wind stuff a I have a Futura 93 wood. This has great control and flies off the fin nicely.
I had the 2007 94L wood isonic reasonably smooth in chop for a slalom board. I now have the 2014 90l isonic and quite hard in the chop. I'm now looking for a 90l isonic 2017 upwards as SB are stating that they are just as fast but a much smoother ride, also gybe better.
Can anyone confirm this and if anyone's got a 90L isonic for sale PM me please.
Thanks to all those that gave great feedback and advice as it's helped me a lot to come to the conclusion that the smoothest riding 'slalom' board is actually a narrower freerace style board (apart from maybe the Exocet slaloms!), particularly when mostly using weed fins.
Fyi decided to buy a new Windtech Silver Bullet 57 as versatility in a range of conditions has always been a very important factor for me when choosing a board and the Windtechs appear to do this job really well!!!
Select to expand quotejn1 said..Maddlad said..GazMan said..Sail Repair WA said..
Hi Gaz Man
I hope your getting closer to choose your board.
Lots of tips and opinions above :)
Is it correct ( reading between the lines ) that you will mostly use a weed fin on the board? ( sailing in Albany )
Or even use weed fin 100% of the time?
This will effect the feeling of the board a lot.
If the above is the case, then the boards with the more narrower tail sections, will in general feel better with a weed fin.
Free race / freeride / Windtech - or older style slalom boards.
The wider tail more modern slalom board, can be (is ) more fin specific + can a lot ( most ) of the time feel like more work with a weed fin.
As you don't really get the same lift with the weed fin vs pointer fin, the wider tail can be more work to trim out 'out of the water' ( excess back foot pressure )
Where the narrower tail boards you can easier trim and feeling 'less sticky on the water'
Just something to consider I guess.
If you don't use weed fins , then just disregard the above :)
J
Many thanks Jesper, that's great advice!
Will mostly be using weed fins and haven't sailed any proper slalom boards since the 90's (where the slaloms I think if I remember right were narrower than today's boards) so I'm not particularly aware of how the wider tail boards react when using weed fins compared to narrow tail boards which is what I've been sailing exclusively for over 20 years
I can confirm that the slalom boards with the wider tails dont love weed fins. We use them at safety bay for the slalom series, but they dont feel anywhere near as good as with the pointer fins.
What is the tail width verses weed fin size of your setups ? (I won't ask what boards these are)
I want to buy a brand new 110 slalom or frace board next year to replace my 10 year old 2012 109 Supersport. All my fins are weedies. I'm reading this thread with interest.
Hey Jn1,
If you decide to go with a new JP slalom or freerace board then they've got awesome fin selectors on their 2021 website:
jp-australia.com/p/windsurfing/boards/super-sport/
jp-australia.com/p/windsurfing/boards/slalom-2021/
Select to expand quoteGazMan said..
Thanks to all those that gave great feedback and advice as it's helped me a lot to come to the conclusion that the smoothest riding 'slalom' board is actually a narrower freerace style board (apart from maybe the Exocet slaloms!), particularly when mostly using weed fins.
Fyi decided to buy a new Windtech Silver Bullet 57 as versatility in a range of conditions has always been a very important factor for me when choosing a board and the Windtechs appear to do this job really well!!!
You should at least TRY a full-on slalomboard that is control oriented.
Tabou Manta (the ones with deep V) are VERY easy to control. I have the Manta 54 which is ridiculously easy to control in gnarly chop. Due to comparatively deep V. And I do know that Patrik boards are all very much plug-and-play.
Narrow doesn't make your board easy to control, it promotes wiggling around the length axis whenever you don't go 100% perpendicular to chop. A wider board that hovers over the chop is much better in that respect. You must just get used to the idea that you need the board fly, and search its own path over the chop. Just keep the speed up, and keep the pressure down. Just keep the hammer down, once you lift and the nose goes up, then you loose control.
Select to expand quoteGazMan said..
Thanks to all those that gave great feedback and advice as it's helped me a lot to come to the conclusion that the smoothest riding 'slalom' board is actually a narrower freerace style board (apart from maybe the Exocet slaloms!), particularly when mostly using weed fins.
Fyi decided to buy a new Windtech Silver Bullet 57 as versatility in a range of conditions has always been a very important factor for me when choosing a board and the Windtechs appear to do this job really well!!!
I wish you lots of windy days to enjoy your new toy
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..wa881 said..
My new Patrik F Race 100 is an absolutely dynamo yet sooooo comfortable. My original Patrik Slalom 94 was a huge improvement over my old ISonics for comfort, but this takes it up another level. Can confirm having sailed both on the same day, F Race is way more comfortable to ride, but at the same time, just as fast if not faster, because you can if you want, push it harder.
I also initially got the 120 F Race, but found this a bit 'slow' for my liking although ultra cruisy. Swapped to the Slalom 115 which is just a rocket but a hugely different ride once again as a result.
get hold of Patrik or Karin if you can and ask to try, if they have any stock. They're really great at helping out.
Ditto, the F-face 100 is a great board.
Plus 1 for the 100 F race. Been out on the Swan river last 2 days in the chop and I can still walk.
Select to expand quoteTerryA said..John340 said..wa881 said..
My new Patrik F Race 100 is an absolutely dynamo yet sooooo comfortable. My original Patrik Slalom 94 was a huge improvement over my old ISonics for comfort, but this takes it up another level. Can confirm having sailed both on the same day, F Race is way more comfortable to ride, but at the same time, just as fast if not faster, because you can if you want, push it harder.
I also initially got the 120 F Race, but found this a bit 'slow' for my liking although ultra cruisy. Swapped to the Slalom 115 which is just a rocket but a hugely different ride once again as a result.
get hold of Patrik or Karin if you can and ask to try, if they have any stock. They're really great at helping out.
Ditto, the F-face 100 is a great board.
Plus 1 for the 100 F race. Been out on the Swan river last 2 days in the chop and I can still walk.
Fyi got in touch with Karin from Patrik and also chatted with Steve Stratfold, who distributed Patrik boards in WA a while ago, about the F-Race 100 (it was his main go-to board for a number of years). That board was near the top of my shortlist, but wasn't interested in spending 3 grand
Well done GAZ ,with freerace you have a bigger sail range too ...hope you can tell how fast it is 
and TerryA yes walking the next day is important...
some of those full slalom boards are a killer ..i have a couple ..lol.
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
Have fun with the new toy. You'll have a ball!
Thanks for your help Sue!
Here's some video taken of the Windtech 57 ( 90ltres) last Saturday.
I'd been out 1.30hr in patchy crappy stuff so I was pretty tired by the time we got some decent gusts. The board is c 25 ltres over my weight.
It was getting to the top of the range for that combo so I was backing off a little at the biggest ramps to keep it on the water. I was surprised to see how lively the board looked in the footage as although it was hardwork it was fun , I was comfy and I had no control issues. The gybes weren't pretty but I was happy they were dry.. I wasn't getting forward enough to engage the rail so I lost speed but it was happy to safely bounce around in the bumps.
If I had stayed out I would have come in and put more tailflex on , mastfoot forward , a smaller fin and gone down to a 5.7m but I was too tired so I only had a few more runs after lunch and went home.
I'm not good enough or dedicated enough to sail a slalom board above the chop but I can have a heap of fun on a forgiving setup like this!
