formula boards

[wiamea]

Why are formula boards able 2 carry such big sails?? besides being wide and how do they handle chop?? in moderate wind it seems like theyd be overpowered??

[LeeD]

They carry big sails because they are at least 140 liters and wide enough to plane up at slow speeds.
They handle wind because of the bottom tail cutouts lessen water drag, and their short length, coupled with very short waterline, have them planing on much less surface area than it appears from looking at the deck.

[lynchmob000]

Lee,
At what point does the width of a board get in the way? Inuitively, I understand the need for the width & overall surface area to pop up on plane, but doesnt all of that surface area get in the way once on plane? You say youre not on as much waterline as it appears, but doesnt all that stuff then become an aerodynamic problem at higher speeds?

[LeeD]

Most of the riders are trimming the board so the waterline starts between the feet and out the back. On the bottom, just in front of the back foot, there is a huge cutout to lessen water drag, lessen surface area, so that helps smooth the ride.
Not sure if there really is a thing as flying the board, as its part and parcel with being overpowered by the sail, and with modern race sails, all the twist and stability, it takes about 30mph winds with a 9 meter sail to get overpowered on Formula gear. Formula is all about up and down wind, not reaching, so board speeds typically when beating high in 28mph winds and 9 meter sail is around 14mph. If they decide to blast across the wind, theyd blow up at around 35mph boardspeeds, so they dont!
Downwind deep speed are usually also around 14mph, as you need windpressure on your sail while running away from the wind.
No, they are not smooth in chop, but good riders avoid the highest peaks and float the whole board over the peaks, flying off the back foot.
Thats why they always ride powered up...underpowered is really jarring/bouncy.