More tests, more revelations, what an amazing sport :) !

cgoudie1 · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:05 am Post subject:

I had the 2010 IQ Quad for a season. It wasn't a bad board, but it was
always a little bit "mushy" under my heavy back foot, and surprisingly easy
for me to spin out in the large fins forward config. I worked all kinds of
fin configs for experimental fun, and found my favorite config for general
Gorge sailing as a single 20cm rear plus
thrusters, but my second favorite (my
favorite for big clean swell) was large rears (16s I think) and smaller fronts (12s I think) in the
quad config. I had the most fun on the board configed like this, but only
when the swells would clean up, then it was snappy and playful, and oh so
skateboard like on the big swells.

In fact, I think we've already had this conversation in your thread
http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29558&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

I'm currently riding a 2015 Open ocean Ripper Slasher (a sort of stubby single
plus canted thrusters), and for my technique, in the most frequent Gorge conditions, it is perfect.

In fact, I'm off to ride it in about an hour.

-Craig

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Hope you had better riding than here, we are in a low wind streak, annoying.
But it means I have some time to finish my test!
Now available -> here

adywind · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665

For the first month or so I considered my Atom 110 too sticky /never had a Starboard before / and I just placed the mastfoot back of center regardless of sail size. With some TOW my attitude started to change though and I got a better feel of the boards fine nature. I consider now a 7.0 to be its sweet spot size that I would have placed smack in the middle /if I had one/ . I place the mast foot slightly forward for my 7.5 ; slightly back for the 6.5 and way back for the 5.8 /boom hight varies a bit also/. The different positions help with early planing/chop handling and /maybe even more importantly/ with stance comfort aswell. It is definitely worth experimenting a bit .

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Well more or less, there's always a level of adaptation with any gear change.
Actually even as conditions change!

It could be because I'm used to riding small fins and sailing mostly underpowered, but I didn't find either quad to be front-footed or anything. Like I have outlined in my review, I held back a bit at the surf (not knowing the board) and the 2013 responded really well to back foot pressure.

On the contrary a board that likes to have its full rail in the water should be a better jiber through chop. That's my experience anyway.

I found the 2010 Quad to be quite drivey and suitable to freeride. Cgoudie1's bad experience with it along with odd online reviews suggest differently. I wouldn't recommend the 2013 for freeriding, the much smaller fins alone make it more technical.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 4:10 pm Post subject:

3 things that can be changed on a board without much effort except the correct tool.
Vent screw
Footstraps
Fins

The 4th would be owner, which requires more effort.

I would expect the supplied fins to work for some under some conditions.
I would expect with the tail shape alone the 2013 will behave different to the 2010.

I expect that if someone likes a board someone else will not.

The Drake fins are ok, like the tires that come on a new car, both can be upgraded , by size and performance.

Quads are touchy with shape and size fins, just one of the reasons I advised a Tri fin conversion...how is that BTW ?

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Fully agree with above.

I waited until I got my other board to see what fin types I'd inherit. Now that I have slot box fins, I got four Cobra 13cm slot boxes.

The plan is to install two thrusters to the FW 77 and test with the 10cm fins from the starboard.

Now I need to order epoxy products + fiberglass.

I'd love to try different fins for the quad. Disliked the stock Acid Drake fin, found it not communicative enough and lacked power.

EDIT:

I like this position so far, it lifts up the nose and when it blows, the board sticks to the water, really easy to control.

Straps spread out, may move the front back on notch, we'll see.

Slight double-concave or vee under rear foot, the rest is all mono-concave.

I don't know how Starboard want us to line the fins without a ruler, so I added one.

After backing up the mast foot a bit, I have now good drive from the fins, I will move the rear ones forward a bit. Little by little I'll get to something nice.