VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I bought a Carve 121 this year to replace a Vivace 290 that I had been riding since 1997. The rationale was to reduce my board count to two, a medium volume Free Ride board (sail size 5.2 - 8.0) and a wave board, a Drops Carver 85, (sail size 3.8 - 5.8).

I weigh 205 lbs (OK, 208 lbs after a couple of beers).

Last week I was riding the Carve 121 at Nitinat with a 7.5 Retro and was constantly spinning out. Sometimes as soon as I got my back foot into the strap it would cavitate. I suspect that the stock 38 cm Drake fin is too small for the 7.5.

Has anyone got any experience using bigger fins with a larger sail on a Carve 121?

mb

hey mb i have no experience with the carve121 or weighing 200lbs but what you describe sounds alot like an experience i had with my F2, it turned out the rubber gasket at the top screw was missing and the fin could suck air down the hole for instant fin sliding fun. according to the windance fin chart and you are certainly getting into the upper range for that fin, but maybe you could just stop trying to outpoint the formula dudes?! anyway i use 1 board and fin from 6m to 4.2 so what do i know. good luck! dwd
http://www.windance.com/info_source/ass ... lector.asp

MB - I have the Carve 123 which is essentially the same model from a couple of years ago I believe.

Had the same problem with the stock fin, spinouts etc. I solved the problem for my larger sales (6.0 and up to be specific) by using an 18 inch fin (46 cms, 400 sq. cms) made by Trident. I used to use the stock fin for smaller sail situations (5.5 and down) but have since bought a Carve 99.

I had the same problem with the stock fin on that board and actually use the stock fin from the Carve 124 (Drake 38) for the larger end of that board's range.

So the short answer is you may be looking at laying out $200 or so on a carbon reinforced 18" fin to get the performance you want out of what is a fantastic board. In my case the expendature was well worth it.

Graham

unless the shape reaaaaaally sucks, too much sweep, 14" fin for a 7.5 is good, 16" likely better. my 215 lbs and loving large fins noggin' think that your problem is either your board position (ie. your fault) or no/poor seal rubber washer or crap stuck around fin (weeds) which is usually not an issue at Nat. Kus

Hi all. I know that MB guy and I am quite sure he will appreciate your thoughful responses. However, the truth is, its the six pack he is trolling behind his board that is the real cause of the problem. Perhaps if he switched to a low cal brew...

I also have a Carve 123 and know exactly what you are talking about. With anything bigger than a 6.0 the stock fin spins out like crazy and I'm 165lbs. I use a 44cm Curtis G10 pointer fin and the problem is solved. At one point I had a 50cm fin and I couldn't spin it out if i tried (50cm might be a bit over kill, but man can you fire upwind!). The spinout problem with the carve 123 is nothing to do with rubber seals. I pulled mine out of the bubble wrapper when it was brand new and the spinout problem existed right away with new rubber seals. Hope this helps. Cheers.

A 38 cm fin is a little small for a 7.5. I'd guess something like a 55-60 cm fin might work a little better for you. Also, make sure your fin is tight and flush with the bottom of your board when you install it. Shim it with a pop can if it isn't.

Hi,

I also just bought a Carve 121 (2004). Carves are awesome boards. I also sail an older Carve 78, and just sold my 2002 Carve 99.

Question.

Have any of you sailed the 121 with an 8.5M sail. I used my 6.9 Ezzy on the Carve 99 no problem, so I figure the 121 should handle an 8.5? But the recommended max. is 8.0? Just wondering what the biggest sail is that it can handle. The new Ezzy's feel pretty light, the 6.9 feels like a 5.7, so I'm thinking the 8.5 Ezzy will feel like a 7.5?

Re. fins 6.9M sail = 15" for me (170 lbs). If you're spinning out, maybe put the footstraps inboard = less pressure (I do this and can still get upwind)

Later

Anonymous wrote:Hi all. I know that MB guy and I am quite sure he will appreciate your thoughful responses. However, the truth is, its the six pack he is trolling behind his board that is the real cause of the problem. Perhaps if he switched to a low cal brew...

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