VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

What are people's opinion's about the fastest but also semi-easy to ride SPEED board. With the GPS I'm looking to buy a board that will allow me to do some speed runs this winter to see how fast I'm capable of sailing.

So what I'm looking for is some feedback on the best board for SPEED . Only speed nothing else matters!!

Anybody have any insight on what I should be buying...??

Fastest board I've ever sailed, by far, is the old custom slalom board I bought last year at Nitinat for $50. I'm sure there are lots of slalom rockets out there collecting dust. Shouldn't be too hard to find one.
If you want something newer, you could probably get a used Roberts board in Vancouver. He builds some pretty quick boards. Or, what about that S-type 115 in your trailer???
Might be fun to set up a speed sailing event where everyone can give it a go.

Bobson,

I have one of those dusty speed-slalom boards sitting in my shed. It's one of Mark Atkins' old Jimmy Lewis boards (the legendary shaper in Maui, not our own local legend, J.L. ) It might be perfect for what you want. It is a no compromise speed sled. It's low in volume for control, but longish at 8'10". and planes quickly. It would still be competitive with any slalom board out there for top end, I believe. You are welcome to it. Just needs a good tuttle fin and off you go to the 50 knot barrier. Easy. Board will cost you some beer toward Mark.

On another line of thought, if you want to blow some cash, The Starboard Sonics would be killer for new school speed. Short, wide, easy to make go fast. Ask Declan! Lots of different (cheap/free) local boards to choose from though, from the sounds of things!

383-2447

try find a Mike's Lab slalom / speed board. I picked an older one up cheaply (8'10''), and even I can make it go fast with old sails. Super light and quick. You don't want to catch a leading edge on chop at Nitinat - trust me, it hurts.

I think he still makes them in San Fransisco.

Otherwise, Roberts boards are always a good bet - fast and tough - and local.

my old protechs were still the fastest for me in last few years, but up there was my HiTech, both slaloms at around 98-103 L, early to mid 90's, Roberts was also quick but I still think the HiTech had them all beat, 9'long, no weight but a nasty "grab yer ankle and whack ya" nose, 14 1/2" slight sweep pointer tuttle G10....still got some of them thin speedstraps too, no weight even when wet, 1/4 inch thin, every bit helps you are welcome to try them, sorry JJJim inherited my one Protech, the HiTech and Roberts blew up

Buy schmy...Doodson...I've got a vintage 1985 'Wally board' Hyper tech knock off you can try !!! I'm still looking to purchase a large B.W.D. T as well !

Old schmold. Drop some coin on a new F2 Missile - the production board speed record holder!

I've got a couple of very fast boards I'm no longer using. A PT 111 and a Phil McGain. You should try them both out to get a feel for them. I've also tried a 2004 Sonic and really liked it but bought the Jimmy Lewis as the price was right. I'll bring them all to the beach next time we go out. We should head back to the flat water behind the spit north of IV or to Sydney island.

Don't forget the fin though. I couldn't believe the difference dropping $200 on a fin made. Added at least 5 km/h.

Is my GPS ready for pick up?

Beans correct of course...BUT you might want to talk to Tom V. He may still have a vintage F2 speed board in original condition.

I will talk to Tommy before purchasing. I appreciate everyone's offer to try their 'fast' boards!! SS, You Garmin will be in next week as they had to order them as they didn't have 5 in stock.

The fin is definitely most important as basically that is all that will be in the water!!

i have nothing to add to the thread, i just love this photo of the 06 missle

The F2 Missile seems pretty cool, and probably way easier to sail than a custom speed board.
http://www.windsurfingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=35557
I note the article states "David White was recovering from a punctured lung when he broke the record". Hmmmm - crashing at 70 km ph or so (I presume you wouldn't reach the 82 of the record), you could add some great entries to the 'accidents' thread!

Hey Bobson give me a call 656-0998. There is a lot to it - not just a board. Slalom boards and speed boards are not the same if you REALLY want to go fast. 40 MPH+

For max speed you need:

A specialized narrow light board - lots of excellent cheap used ones around no need to buy new. Look for one with a tuttle base. I'll be more specific over the phone.
Must buy a Tectonics fin 28-36 cm depending on sail size
HPL Carbon Booms - can't have the rig flexing as you will need to sail way overpowered, carbon masts (needle are best - low profile) matching your slalom sails is a given. Want a boom that fits the speed rig with little to no extension. Provides maximum rig stiffness.
Tuning Tuning Tuning - base position, rigged sail trim, boom height, harness position, harness line position, footstrap fit & position and harness line length
Technique, technique, technique - You have to get good at holding the hammer down closing the gap with proper body position and getting to the edge of control without exploding. Sailing a 5.0 - 5.5 in 40 knots of wind is a good example of what your trying to achieve for max speed.
You have the body mass and strength to be very fast.
FLAT water speed site - Steve's suggestion behind the Island view spit is excellent on south easterlies in the winter. The closer to shore and the shallower the water you are willing to sail in (increase risk) the flatter it gets and the faster you can go. BUT if you wipe out!

Hey I'll be interested in some speed burns this winter season too see you out there!

Shred hard!

I think for a good easy to ride speed board. You should look for a hi-wind slalom shape, fairly narrow outline, a long flat rocker line with slight vee in the tail......flat is fast.

On the course 120 degrees off the wind, don't sail a straight line, come up for more wind or foot off if your overpowered.

Bobson,

I'm tellin' you, I gots whatcha needs...narrow, flat rockered, light, Jimmy Lewis 8'10" carbon speed/slalom board. Free.