I would have thought the hydroplane idea would suit windsurfing. We're small light and fast already, so if reducing drag and wetted surface is important (for greater speed) why doesn't it work? Does it cause too many control problems?
I don't mean just those crazy fins that lift the board out of the water.They seem to have disappeared. I mean a properly designed board that blasts along on stilts.
i have managed lots of 34's and some high 35knts peaks and a 32.55knt NM on my 2007 SX XL (235x80cmwide) with a RSR 8.4m and a 40cm Choco weedy.
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2009-05-23&team=2
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2009-09-20&team=2
This was done on some choppy water here in WA. i would expect at sandy icould gain a few more knts.
The board has really deep cutouts. i think this really helps with top end control as to get it really fired up i had it flying right off the tail (mainly on the narrow middle bit between the cutouts). This eliminated the feeling of a wide tail so you weren't ralied up wind like some wide boards i have owned/ridden
Bender, Thats bloody quick for a big board.
My board felt really composed at 37-38 at which point the fin started generating too much lift. It actually turned me into the bank at 38 knots which was a bit scary.
If I had a smaller fin or a swept back it,s defnitely capable of 40knots at the PiT. I have tried a really small fin in it and it just got way too Skatey.
Besides the obvious reduction in wetted area I am pretty sure what the cutouts do to a wide tailed board is allow the nose to trim a bit higher and really unstick the board. You can fly it off the tail just as you say and it reduces the wetted area alot.
The plates than you can fit to F2 boards demonstrate this well. When you are overpowered in choppy conditions you fit the plates which partially fill the cutouts and they trim the nose down and help control.
