Upgrade from an old Formula board

rangerider · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 206

What are the wind conditions? That sounds like it would be slog city trying to push the big board around in the Midwest with those smaller sails but then I am not a very good windsurfer. It seems to me on the ultrasonic it needs a little longer gust or bigger sail to push onto a plane than the xcite ride 145 but then once on plane it stays there more easily. Even on truly windy days around here the wind can be like 5-30. Anyway, I guess smaller sails for formula makes sense if you have higher / consistent winds that would be overpowered for larger sails - you might prefer a smaller board as well but it is a formula race so you are stuck with the big board?

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

wanna go on the water no matter what
sounds like an old longboard like my Mistral Equipe
goes great with an 8.x in a big wind range

now a big freemove like Fanatic Gecko 135 with an 8.x sounds like fun too
supposed to plane early, go fast and move well/maneuverable
just met a fellow who loves his and is proud of his speed Smile

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

waitinSD · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 42

I’ve had a SB Futura 122 for years and have had a great time on it. Sail it with 6.9 and 5.8 using 42 cm and 35cm fins. It’s my light-wind flood buster at Sherman Island and it rips with very little wind. Great light-wind board - for me from approx. 14 mph up for to about 20-22 mph @ 165#. Does OK in moderate chop.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

yes, a modern light wind slalom board around 80-90 cm wide would get you planing in lighter winds than a Formula can, IF you pump, ooch, ride a windswell, and head downwind.
Once planing, it's faster and fun to jibe.

jamieinnyc · Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 108

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

d0uglass · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 9:42 am Post subject:

Passive planing style, 8.5 max sail, and 210 lbs put a limit on your light-wind planing threshold that a new slalom board probably won't raise. In fact, the shortness of the new slalom/formula boards (~240 cm compared to ~270 cm for your old formula board) actually makes them less compatible with a passive planing style.

That's not to say that a new slalom board won't have a faster and friskier ride once planing.

But I'd say if your goal is to plane earlier, a 9.5 and a more active style will make more difference than a new board.