I don't usually post a lot of reviews but I think this one is really worth doing.
I have recently tested the Tectonics Phoenix 37 and 38cm on I sonic 107 with 7.8 and 7m.
My first try was with 7m and the 37cm. I was really surprised by its control, speed and it's good grip compared to carbon fins.. I compared the 37cm next to a Z SLM 37.5 s- and it is clear to me the z gives more power in the legs, but full down wind the Phoenix gives you great speed and it can handle full speed on the chop without noze wheeling. I agree the 37 phoenix should have been compare to a Z37.
For several years I have had good speed with the new generation of carbon fins which I have used since since 2011 but in pain. Since I have tried the Phoenix I am faster and without pain :-) In addition to the extra performance, I feel great pleasure sailing with the Phoenix. It has something different, something that make you feel free.
I compared in a medium wind with 7.8m on the the Phoenix 38 to the 37.5 ZSL s - - and I have been surprised by the excellent grip of Phoenix even on flat water. The Z is a little better up wind.
The nuances that I have felt with the Phoenix are a very balanced profile. It looks like the profile is more accurate on the Phoenix compare to Moulded carbon fins. And it looks like carbon fins have a good layup but has a less accurate profile. Also, with the moulded fins you can have a good one and another of the same fin that doesn't work, and you don’t know why! I have experimented with a 36 cm moulded fin that is more powefull than the same fin in 37cm!!
I have some good friends sailing very well in kite foil that tell me that they prefer G10 wings to moulded carbon because they have a more accurate and reproducible profile.
Max speed GPS in a large chop, during my warm up before a race, was 60.8 km / h or 32.89 knts. That may not seem like a lot for some sailors but for me it was a good top speed in these difficult conditions. During the races I have about the the same speed on all the first downwind legs. In flat water I did 35knts with 7m on the I sonic 107 but I wasn't over powed
I really recommend the Phoenix because the control is there for top speed in choppy water !!
Got my set of 32 and 36's a month ago, along with a Tabou Speedster 100 (65 wide).
Agree there is lots of control, but I use much shorter Phoenix than Spitfire Mirages or Gold Wings. Seems a 32 Phoenix has the same area as a 36 Gold Wing, and a 34 Spitfire, so less lift is apparent at higher speeds and overpowered, giving a feeling of more wind range at the top. Conversely, the long chord at mid span gives plenty of low end planing and spinout resistance while barely planing and pushing upwind.
My friends all got Fury's (Tectonics), but skill level differences keep us from really comparing the speeds of each.
Where does one go to buy the phoenix? Dennis Patron doesn't seem to like to update his website haha.
Also heard that there is a Fury 2 fin. According to Micah Buzinis, the Fury was still quicker and more comfortable than the phoenix he was testing.
I usually sail with 3 different guys using Fury's. One has a Falcon99, another a set of V-7 RRD's, and the other, a Isonic set of 96, and 107.
Skill level differences don't really allow a direct comparison of the fins, and I go a different ball game with much smaller sail, less downhaul and outhaul, and almost always just walk right by them, even on the old SuperSport109, Exocet SS 62, Futura 111, or JP Pro Slalom 55.
I do regard the Phoenix as more a recreational or easy riding fin compared to Fury, GoldWings, Falcon's or Spitfire Mirages. Maybe that's good, maybe bad, it depends on rider preferences, skill and how he wants to tune his rigs.
Select to expand quoteKevinD002 said..
Where does one go to buy the phoenix? Dennis Patron doesn't seem to like to update his website haha.
Also heard that there is a Fury 2 fin. According to Micah Buzinis, the Fury was still quicker and more comfortable than the phoenix he was testing.
Windsurf Systems is the new Australian distributor for Tectonics Maui.
In the recent PWA the Phoenix enjoyed success collecting 1st and 2nd in the mens slalom. Stay tuned for the pending release of the entire range.
