To Wide or Not to Wide

wanda · Joined: 03 Jul 2000 Posts: 35

Has anyone sailed a Wide board? I am stuck in the old school philosophy that the Mistal Energy is the fastest board ever produced, and that anything new or bigger has a limited top end. If Im sailing in 12 to 22 knots with my Sailworks XT2 8.5, I do not want to sail a board with a limited speed potential, and I dont need a loose or easy jibing board for that wind range.

The impresssion I get from dealers is sketchy . They want to sell the new stuff.

p.s. Does anyone have a 94 energy or a 94 explosion in good shape for sale? Or are the new boards really better?

artofwindsurfing · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 182

Dear Wanda,

Its hard to tell if the new stuff is really better than the old stuff because the salesman is in a conflict of interest.

That being said the equipment has gotten better these last five years. Your MISTRAL ENERGY is one example. But since then theres been a REVOLUTION in board design. Now, wider is better AND shorter is better. Sailing your 8.5 with one of these would definitely feel better than with your ENERGY. Oups, sorry, I know how much you love that ENERGY.

If you need any help in selecting a wider and shorter board, you can reach me at: artofwindsurfing@yahoo.com

In the meantime, enjoy your ENERGY, it is a great board.

Sylvain Pilon, windsurf instructor, HI

realkitty · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 25

I recently started riding a new HiFly Carbon 262 Free, 98 Liter, and many of my sailing friends already have HiFly 272s. The 262 is the best overall board I have ever riden, very fast, forgiving, and turny. No old board even comes close...

fanatic278 · Joined: 09 Jul 2000 Posts: 4

Hi Wanda,

I share your skepticism about the new wide boards. Are they really better or is that just the sales pitch? I am motivated to look into them, though,...as my biggest board is now 105 l. and I want to get going in lighter winds. I think one of the challenges is to make sense of the variety of widths, volumes and designs,....I have a tough time thinking theres much feel to something 140 l. to 170 l. I think Ill follow the same approach as the last time I bought a board,...try before I buy,...and if they dont,...I wont. By the way,...is 12 to 22 knots really light air?

I have sailed Mistral Screamer (no nose),...Energy,...and Explosion II,...all good slalom type stuff. But,...Im not sure the ideal wind range for these is that sought after for the new big boats??

Anyway,...Ill venture with an open mind,...play and try,...

Regards
Ron

tonyg · Joined: 03 May 1998 Posts: 1

New wide boards with new big sails will work as advertised. They definitely get you planning in lower wind and pointing higher with no limit in top speed. I spent $1600 for a 8.4M RX1 rig and wide Protec board and agree that all the claims are true. Having said that, I am selling this stuff now. Planning on a glassy water I can only think this is no fun, why do I bother. If you live in San Diego and want to plane, or you race, this stuff is your only choice.
But if you sail for fun and wind regularly blows 15-20 mi in your area, do not bother with it.

wanda · Joined: 03 Jul 2000 Posts: 35

Ron, Thanks for the realism. I have decided against the big board/big sail for now and will invest my meager funds into the fun stuff.

fanatic278 · Joined: 09 Jul 2000 Posts: 4

Hi Wanda,

No doubt you are making a wise allocation

Thought Id let you know, though, that since last talking, I have demod a Mistral Vision 170 (ie. 170 l.). For my body weight (170 lbs),...I think the 140 to 150 l range is likely more correct as a light air alternative. Bottom line is,...(though it was easy to assimilate to sailing the board),...Im unlikely to drop about $2,000 CDN for board plus, say, $800 CDN for sail for the thrill of planing in 10 kts. We tend to be front chasers up here,...and being a little starved of fronts,...I get to thinking light air. I echo the comment of Tonyg on this thread,...it depends on what kind of conditions you want to cover. Surprisingly, this board sailed an awful lot more like a short board than expected for its vol. (only 9ft 4in),...and certainly would have its days. But I am reminded that if one goes big, one must go light because the inertia with bigger equipment is noticeable. Perhaps Ill go middle ground,..big + used + light = plane early, plane cheap.

Anon
Ron

Daveedo · Joined: 02 Jul 2000 Posts: 1

I sail a 9.3 Z-1 on a Wiiiide Formula 155 in 10-20 knots. Before this board I sailed a Thommen. This Formula is a madman! Steep upwind and downwind angles and tons of speed. Unreal speed for this windrange that comes on very early(plane in 9, blasting at 11+ knots).
Top end is only limited by your nerve and getting those white knuckles to release more outhaul off the wind. Scary fast in over 15!
This perfomance was just not available before. I look at it on the beach and do not see how it will unwet with all that width in the tail. Still think it looks somewhat hideous. But they are for real. They are loose feeling. And man do they fly.
Yes, explosions and many others will work in 12-22, especially if you are lightweight. I see it everyday. But these widetails are the new gold standard for this wind, imo.

Dave