fastest board

cgoudie1 · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: fastest board

Don't know if Richard Greene is still making boards or not, but if you
can find a GEM (Greene Epoxy Maui) slalom board, I rode one in the
Gorge for years, and they are fast in chop (or the flats) "without being to squirrelly."

-Craig

keycocker · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598

Greene told me he was done with laminating and destroying his health.
He makes a good living making helicopter parts instead of excellent boards.
The layup work I saw in his shop was as good as I have ever seen in a board.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 9:13 am Post subject:

keycocker · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598

Remember, the descriptions always say these production boards are fast handle chop well and turn well.
You have to pick one from this list.
Fastest boards do not handle chop well in the real world, because their bottoms are flat and the rails are sharp further back.

Boards which really turn well, like wave boards, are not actually fast.
They have a banana shape in the front and back. Front not so important because it is not in the water when you go fast. In the back it is a deal killer for speed.
The manufacturers are not misleading you, they are marketing with relative terms.
Even on this site a judgement is relative. By fast a sailor means faster than the other boards I sail.

Rent something. Borrow something. Sail the fast guys boards at your site.
If you buy online you are just hoping for the best.
A Greene, Thommen, or Taboul custom costs from $2200 to $2500 and almost certain to be faster than you.
You knew this stuff because you had the good sense to ask here and are getting some excellent advice.

KGB-NP · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 2856

Fanatic Hawk X 2....fastest board I rode when testing for Windsurfing Magazines board test. That thing was freaky fast, and the best times on the radar were always on that board.

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

Most important is YOUR skill level.
If you can race slalom competitively, and at least at the National level, are big, over 180 lbs., then a pure slalom race board from ANY company is the fastest.
However, if your skill level allows even ONE fall in a jibe out of 20, then probably a fast freeride board is your fastest option.
If you fall even more often, then a regular freeride board that is around 118 liters will allow you to reach your fastest speeds most often.

Waterat Pat · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 192

Check out a Mistral Syncro. I have a 114l model about 6yrs old that is crazy fast. Also has a bit of rocker so its not a 1 trick pony. Jumps well as it was originally made for supercross racing. Remember the inflatable obstacles.
Gybes well. Popular board so chances of finding one used on the cheap are quite good.
I have even surfed head high waves on mine with a 6.2 sail and granted it turned like a pig but it worked.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

KBack · Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 40