I have a 4 fin quiver of new Black project Fins and have so far got the 29cm S-Type and 32cm Race fin a good try out in a range of winds on flat to choppy inland water.
Inland lakes only give flat to choppy water in gusty up and down wind.
Board used was my Sonic Australia 275 freeride 59cm wide. and sails used Naish 6.4m stealth. KA 5.8m Koncept, and 5.3 Hot sails SO.
Firstly the 32.5cm race replaces the 32cm freeride fin standard with the Sonic. But much more a slalom shape to the BP.
I am not traditionally a very good pumper but on the occasions i tried the BP and pumping I did find it easier to get planning which was noticeable to me. with only my old Garmin 201 to use I found on the flat water of Greens lake that I was still only part of a knot faster but got there smoother and a little quicker. (maybe the smoother made it feel quicker) but what was most noticeable was I stayed there with a calmer board. Turns into gybes and through and back to speed were again smooth.
Spinout is something I have nearly wiped from my tricks repertoire so having no sign of spinout was not unexpected. Some jumps of the odd chop ramp worked well and maybe here the fin biting in again quickly was an improvement.
The SType 29cm was fun. this fin seemed to hold on in low range easily as good as my old 32cm. but with all the extra speed of a smaller speed fin. I can't wait to put this one on my Missile.
I have used the F2 28cm Missile fin on this board and did not feel comfy. however from now on if the wind is over 20kts this is my new go to fin. The Gps gave me an instant 3 knots in a short run. (Greens lake has a short speed run that ends when the trees start stirring up the wind).
The quality of these fins is spot on. I found no burrs or dags or need to fine tune Tuttle box fit etc.
I have still to try the 35cm freeride or the X-40+ Starboard tack Assy. the 35cm I have yet to need and the Greens lake run is port tack with a wild choppy lead run(sort of like a reverse of using the low tide channel bank in a sandy point easterly starting on the far bank and heading across the chop.
What I can say is that I am glad I gave the Black project fins a go and can't wait to try them at Sandy Point.
Thanks for the rewiew Tony. I've been checking out the BP website re fins sizes, and the sizing chart looks spot on for the R type. The sizing chart for the S type looks OK if you are using a dedicated speed board, but if you want to use a S type for GPS on a slalom or free race board with a much wider tail, how should you work out what size you need ? Is it a matter of scaling more to the sail size, or off the tail width for normal fin scaling ? I would also be interested in windward performace which is always imortant after completing that bear awayhttp://www.blackprojectfins.com/products/windsurf-fins/type-s/
I would say that there is a big diff between S and R. The smaller R are a bit dead, they are very stiff. Which gives a lot of lift and not an easy ride. Some people like stiff fins but I want flex.
But in bigger sizes, above 34cm they are opposite, the S are a bit too soft. In the sizes around 36-44 cm the R really excels, they have a very good release and do not "suck" like some others fin do in deeper sizes when they start to lift in higher speeds.
If you want more out of your BPF, you should wet-sand them a lot, start with 100 paper and work throught with finer paper until the paint on the back almost disappear.
www.andersbq.com/2012/02/premium-speed-fin-test.html
I found the 29cm R type to be stiff enough but not what I would call too stiff.
the F2 28cm fin that came with my Missile was probably too soft and so I like the Black project more because it is stiffer.
i'm not sure about the R or S type , but it seams the weed speeds are measured from the bottom of the box , the 28 is actually 25cm, there's a big difference when your outlaying $$$$$$$$$'s and then to find there isnt enough rake, and the fin still catches weed
My personal opinion, fins with less rake than 40 should not be market as "Weedfins".
the fin had a rake of 39deg and now 42
I have just in last month moved to south Gippsland. 22mins drive from Shallow Inlet. 100m walk to boat and into Corner inlet in which I have explored a number of spots with potential (boat required).
Any way The four sessions so far on sailboard I have used the S29 3 times and this has become my normal fin and now replaces the 32cm freeride fin I have stuck with for years. I suffer no loss of grip or low end get onto plane performance.
Yesterday I shot over for a quick session on a dropping wind and decided to try the R32.5. using my 6.4 Naish and same Sonic board. Once set up and about to launch I thought the wind was too low but bugger it I'd get wet.
Now I'm not real big on pumping and in fact pretty crap at it, but shock horror gasp, a few pumps and I could feel the fin driving forward and onto plane.
So now if the wind is light and I feel pumping is needed, then the R32.5 is my fin of choice. still way plenty speed, tracks very straight, a bit more effort then is required to roll into gybe but no problem.
Hi guys, long time lurker, first post. I use the full range of BP Weedspeed fins here in Texas. On their website they show the WS model and actual sizes. The model, ie WS28 @ 23 deep is meant to sail like a 28 cm pointer. I can say for instance the WS28 is brilliant. I have used it with a Falcon 86, 6.2 Sailworks NXrdm at over 40mph peak. Not a bobble up or down wind. They are working on the WS25 which I'll use on my iSonic w53 speed. I also have the 31, 34, 38 and 42. All of these fins are super as long as you don'h have any weedburgs as we call them.
PS I have no interest in BP FINS and am not sponsored by them.
