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Older 85 cm Wide Starboard Formula Board - Fin?
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d0uglass



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 1286
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:55 pm    Post subject: Older 85 cm Wide Starboard Formula Board - Fin? Reply with quote

Hi,

Since moving to the Gulf Coast of Florida I keep buying more light-air gear. I think my next acquisition is going to be a Starboard Formula 135, which is on sale at the local shop for $400.

It's one of the earlier generation of Formula boards from when they were only 85 cm wide, so it's more like a light wind slalom board by modern standards. It's also the thinned-down version for lighter riders- they made another with the same outline but 155 liters. I'm hoping it will be a good match with my 9.5 Ezzy Cheetah.

My question is what size fin would be good for such a board? I think the original stock fin was 58 cm, but the dealer was recommending a 65 cm, which I worry might be overkill. Anyone have experience with fin size on these older 85 wide formula boards?

Thanks,
James

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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As usual, depends.
Certainly either a 58 or 65, or both, would work.
On the lighter end of wind, and if you're lazy and don't pump, don't care about top speeds, a smaller fin, as big as 68 with some width would work fine with your sail.

And if you were reaching for mph speeds, was active and knew how to pump, something as small as 50 would be fine with your sail.
The smaller fin would be fine for reaching, broad or close, while the bigger fin would be best for pointing upwind.
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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a 2001 F175, it is 270X 95 the stock Drake fin is a 65cm. IT was in the forums admitted by Starboard to be more like 155 Liters (another story)

and I don't know that the 155 or 135L were supposed to be less than quoted.

The 135L was 261 X 85cm and shows a 58cm size fin

the 65 Drake fin is hugely long, I use a 58cm Finworks Wing in 58cm, for 7.5--8.5, it is possible with a huge amount of rear foot pressure to slide, not spin, the 64cm recommended is 2 3/4 " longer, I think 58cm is plenty long enough for a 9.5, and the Cheetah is a fine match.

I bought this because it was affordable and generally what I needed , and that was a light wind slalom or freeride board.

Your options may be limited in the 400$ price range, as mine were for even less. This board is 10cm/4" wider than the 135L should be, I certainly have gotten my $$ worth from it ... only real minus to me is it turn like a aircraft carrier.

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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Huge fin range, based on your preferences, you weight, your skill, your desire to pump, and the angles you need to sail, vs the depth of water you have.
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rhorton1



Joined: 19 Aug 2010
Posts: 88

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If only someone had a windsurfing calculator that would help determine fin size. Hmmmmmm...... Wink
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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personal preference will always trump any calculator.
Some sailors can pump, some stand like a rock, waiting for the wind.
No calculator can account for all the variables, with any accuracy.
It's all trial and error.
Even 4 different 60 cm fins are different areas, foils, speed, and lift.
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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rhorton1 wrote:
If only someone had a windsurfing calculator that would help determine fin size. Hmmmmmm...... Wink


good one, I wonder how many will catch your drift ?

obvious not all

Cool

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joethewindsufa



Joined: 10 Oct 2010
Posts: 1190
Location: Montréal

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have a spread sheet where i collected data on the SB Formulas
this was done when i was looking at "older" boards for less $$$
as per my notes ...
the Formula 135 was 62 cm OFO with a suggested fin of 58 cm
also aimed at racers of 40 to 65 kilos
know you are lighter than I, butt 65 kilos ??
as you know i found a BIC Techno Formula with 94 cm width and 67.5 cm OFO
originally ran it with a 58 cm True Ames SantaBarbara/SB weed fin
Select and iwindsurf forum suggested 66 cm slalom/race fin
tried it once in over powering conditions and so far like the race fin a lot

hope this one works out for you as well as my BTF has so far

btw have you tried the infamous board/sail/fin calculator as suggested Smile
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d0uglass



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 1286
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida

PostPosted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ha! Good point about how I ought to check my own calculator. Smile It's saying 68 cm for formula, 50 cm for freeride / slalom, and the fin shouldn't exceed the width of the board under the back footstraps.

Joethewindsufa- Your info on the one-foot-off width of the board is very helpful because I don't want to go much over that. 65 cm will probably be ok but I'd rather be at 62 or less.

Yeah, I'm a little nervous about the low volume of the board and how it's recommended for 40-65 kg, since I'm 75 kg. But the volume and dimensions are very similar to modern light wind slalom boards for heavyweights, so I think I'll be alright. We'll see- I'm picking it up today.

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http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

James,

I'm assuming that you're buying the Starboard with the standard 58cm fin. If that's correct, I would test it for awhile. Although you didn't note the model year of the board, I think it's likely that if it's an older model, the fin isn't of the highest quality. If the combo works well with the stock fin, you could probably improve performance notably with a current molded fin of the same size or slightly larger. As you're probably aware, if you get into a high quality molded fin, you'll most likely be paying as much for the new fin as the board.
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