New vs Old boards

[downwind]

I went through your problem a few months back when I blew out my fin box on my old F2 280 world cup. I learned to sail on two of these 104 liter boards both of them were early to mid 90s pre no nose designs. After much research and hand wringing I decided on a hifly free 110. Having spent most of the last decade sailing the same slalom board it was quite a change. Im still getting used the new design that I would describe as nervous compared to the comfortable speed of my 280s. I do know the tacking the board is very fast and goes right to a sheeted in position.(I also know most sailors wouldnt care about this.) Its to early for me to say if the change is has radical and worth while as the change in downhill and telemark ski shapes. Right now I still miss the comfort of my 280 mostly when the wind is up and down and marginal.

[quickrig1]

Parabolics have their own drawbacks, but this is a WSing board. Im going to my fatboy full time, now, for sails 6.5 and larger. Due to balance issues, I dont find it any easier to gybe than the old stock. In fact a long, slow, heavy board will be the way to cut your first. The same goes for tacking. The difficulties arise when you dont have enough wind, not when you do. The older long skiis in that they are more stable in DH speeds on ice and crud. Unfortunately, though, they require more work to turn. The same goes for the shorter wide-style boards. You can cut a gybe quickly which reduces the amount of time you are holding your boom without the harness. However, your margin of error increases tremendously.

[cosmicharlie]

Telemark Parabolics are dogs. Its due to the difficulties going to cross country technique from downhill. Most tele parabolics are sold to people who will seldom or never go off piste which defeats the whole purpose. They have some advantages in Western powder conditions over older skiis, but for B.C. or Eastern trail skiing, they are for the lodge turkeys. The trouble would be that they never hold B.C., hut-to-hut or trail races anymore so the competitive edge lost the public interest.

[downwind]

Whoa! we are way off subject here but I must reply. I live at 8,000 ft in the Colorado rockies. On hut trips I miss the speed of my europa 109s in rolling country and will dump my skins for wax if at all possible. I make decisions on gear by the terrain snow conditions that will be encountered. Also on whether I am going for turns or covering some country. In some ways life was a lot easier when there were not as many choices. I still use my old leather boots for either pursuit.

[cosmicharlie]

Somehow, I think you agree with me.