I have recently got myself a 2007 small 63L 48cm F2 Missile.
I have been using it without the plates in.
However now the previous owner has given me the plates. I screwed them in just now (They dont seem to fit all that well).
My question is. Should i be using them? If yes. When/ what condions??
I have been using a 6.7m, 7.2m and briefly a 5.4m.
Are they just a hoax?
Anyone???
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.
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.
I wouldn't worry about using the plates; having had the board for over a year I have never found them nessacary to improve speed/controll. Also most of the F2 literature I've read seems to indicate that use of the plates is to allows lighter riders to improve board trim/reduce tailing by increasing tail lift....
Could be worth testing out the plates next windy day at hardies to see if there is any noticible difference though...
If the plates are creating turbulence you are going too slow. Mine fit well enough, i've only sailed the board a few times and have used it with and without plates- I didn't see any noticeable difference in wake or drag indicating disturbance caused by the plates. Use them in choppy water, I felt that it made the tail a little less free. Because of this I also suspect they would help out with using bigger rigs. Hopefully will let you know about this in a few days.
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.
