Hi Guys.
I had my first afternoon on the new Futura 101 on Friday, it was blowing about 18 to 23 knots at Pelican Point, with some flat water in the inside, out in the middle of the river there was plenty of chop.
I started the board with the straps set inboard to get a feel and to see how it rode in bump 'n' Jump mode.
I was running the "08" Severne NCX 6.5m.
Once i stepped onto the board was impressed at how fast it got going, i had only sailed the 111litre and 122litre last year so the smaller version was all new to me, a few small pumps with the back hand and it started planing.
The board felt nice and stable at speed but could still be carved around the bigger chop with ease, in the flatter sections of the river i gave it a few runs off the wind it felt quite fast, getting back upwind to where i started was very easy as the Futura tracked real well once locked in and kept its speed upwind.
I then set the straps as far out and back as possible, this really made the board come to life, i found this out with the last years board aswell, the Futura's can get a completely different feel by simply moving the straps.
With the straps set up for full slalom style the board felt impressively fast and i was able to sail more off the fin, i ran through the usual drill of crancking upwind then trying to go as fast as possible off the breeze, i could sail at full speed with 100% confidence as the board blasts through chop like it's hardly there.
Gybe's, the board Gybed nice, with smooth wide turns, i actually found it easier to gybe in bigger chop, the board hardly bounced at all, but it was a bit restricted in throwing really really tight gybes, as it is a bit wider in the tail than the freestyle waves i usually ride.
With a bit more time on the Futura i'm sure full planning gybes would be a snap as the board held it's speed quite easy in the turns.
The only thing that i did find the the Futura was the fin size was a bit too small for the 6.5m in those conditions at 34cm as it did tend to let go on the occation when i was tacking hard upwind with the fin fully loaded, but i'm 100% possitive this could be solved with a fin maybe 4cm bigger.
In conclusion, i was very impressed with the Futura for "09" and looking foward to the next time the 101 it or it's big brother.
If you get a chance to have a ride of the "09" Futura's jump on you will have a blast.
Cheers.. P.C
After that review I am so envious. Not so much as the board as the sailing on the Swan River. I was there that day and it was pretty nice. The next day we were down at Rockingham and it looked unreal for flat water blasting. Blowing around 15 to 20 knots and there was no one out besides the ferry going to Penguin Island. Who knows, I may be back over there in a while and its shaping up as a cracking windsurfing season in WA.
Anyway in relation to gybes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
PC - Just out of interest what weight are you. I have a 130 XXcite ride and am looking to complement it with a smaller board. Ive been thinking about the JP Super Sport 109 or the Futura 101. I am 90-95kg and beginner. Got waterstarts etc happening but still smacking myself on the gybes.
I feel a smaller board would be good for the 20knts + days.
Do you think a 101 or the JP 109 would be the right size or should I look at a 110 or thereabouts?
Cheers
When i tested the board i was 88 kgs, but i like the bottom surface area more than the volume e.g length and width, it's a good size doesn't got to flighty when the wind picks up and with higher board speeds.
The volume was fine for tacks and the wind shadow near the beach, and i uphauled it which was pretty easy.
I sometimes ride the 122 litre when the wind is lighter for the bigger planning area, but prefer to ride smaller boards when i can for their zippy feel.
ellobouda, i have a 109 supersport & a friend here has an xcite 130L. i wouldn't recommend the supersport for your change down. they are really a detuned slalom board and feel a lot more 'dialled' than the xcite. they still feel like a big board. i would say go more towards 95-100L and more of a freeridey thing like a futura or tabou rocket. that style will be a lot kinder on your 'learning to cope better in the strong winds' period.
