Slalom boards can definitely be sailed comfortably underpowered ... they arguably have a bigger wind range than a freeride board but can be a bit more technical to gybe when they are powered up because they go faster.

They are also waaaaaaaaaay more fragile (cause they are lighter).

SeanAUS120 said..

Slalom boards can definitely be sailed comfortably underpowered ... they arguably have a bigger wind range than a freeride board but can be a bit more technical to gybe when they are powered up because they go faster.

They are also waaaaaaaaaay more fragile (cause they are lighter).

Hi Sean,

Begs me to ask a question re fins for slalom boards, if one was to use a more raked fin than the normal upright slalom fin (i.e. a freeride/freerace fin like the MFC liquid pro or Choco spirit), wouldn't that make gybing and strong wind control a lot easier for someone less advanced in their skills than slalom racers? (at the expense of some fin drive, lift and upwind performance)

As an intermediate, having sailed slalom and freeride boards of the same make back to back, I'd say the following :

Slalom board (sb) is harder to get in the straps, especially the rear.
Sb sails more off the fin, with more of the board out of the water.
Sb is trickier to get planing, requires different technique to get going due to shorter length.
Sb does not feel comfortable unless powered up compared to freeride.
Top speed is similar but slalom is faster overall over different points of sail.
Sb feels more exciting and edgy, at the same time requires better skill or more concentration.
Slalom is harder to initiate the gybe but is more forgiving on the exit due to more width and volume in the tail.
At my skill level, I find myself faster on the freeride for average speeds (not peak) due to extra comfort and ease of use.

Kazza said..

sboardcrazy said..

I think i read that my Tabou rocket freerides are designed to be used comfortably powered up whereas slalom boards need to be sailed overpowered to get results? Is that true or not?
I don't really like sailing overpowered .I wear out too quickly.. Getting old..
No wind -planning board choices for summer.. ( Still looks good for next few days..shh!)

ah but if you use a slalom sail with a slalom board I find the slalom boards gybes beautifully. I don't sail overpowered on mine (I get the same pooped feeling as you). I always rig to the conditions not to the board and if the wind does pick up the slalom sails are more forgiving in the strong winds, hence more board control and also the right size fin helps control the slalom board to. As you get used to the slalom board I find you feel really comfortable sailing in powered up conditions and can sail a little overpowered and downwind more to get the speed results.

Why not have both boards....

$ and space for storage and car carrying.... Mind you if you have a freebie on offer..

Pretty well covered - you don't have to sail a slalom board over powered to get 'results', the differences in rocker etc does affect how the power delivers etc but I get the feeling this is not what your looking for? You can tune a slalom board down with free ride fins, and a free ride board up with race fins. Comes down to where you sail and how you like to sail - and generally a comfortable sailor will be quicker than someone out of control.

Slalom boards are lighter, flighter and need to be sailed 'planted', ie the better your harness technique the better off you'll be. The rougher the water gets the more this will be tested, and the windier it gets, or your braveness etc etc.

Free ride boards take the edge of a bit, far more forgiving if you let up with your harness technique, and overall more comfortable (so less likely to be tested on your ability to maintain consistent harness pressure). And the rocker makes them more forgiving to turn. I've sailed a lot of slalom boards and still enjoy my 'free race' board more as I sail open water mostly, often sailing it with a slalom fin (to 'tune it up'). Obviously less top end speed potential and side by side on flat water would be left behind, but in rough water not as much difference.

Depends where you sail, and how you like to sail - guess leaning towards a free ride, or free race (such as a Rocket?)

Generally most points people make are valid, each have their strengths. In some situations slalom boards can be supberb for an intemediate sailer, Binny reckins the Tabou Manta 64 (Slalom), is by far the best board she's ever sailed.

John340 said..

I've bought a Starboard Futura free race board 2 mpnths ago. I've fitted it with a 42.5 race fin. My impressions of the board are as follows:
- Its really fast and stable when in the harness and footstraps
- however, its really iffy when getting my back foot in the footstraps
- It gybes really well - even at speed
- Its very hard on the legs when pointing into short steep chop, especially when there is wind against current
-but its OK when the chop is reasonably spaced even when that chop is quite large
-It points really well and gets up on the plane really early

If I want a looser board, I think I'd skip the freeride board and go for a free style or wave board. I don't think I need anything faster

I to have a Futura and coming from the land of F2 Sputnik 265,275 and the 290 hardcore boards this is the best of both worlds. Getting shot of the drake fin and rolling with the MFC was a joy and gave me back the feel that i used to get when well powered up on the 275 and 290.
These free race boards are super fast and just that bit easier to sail and gybe, unless i sailed sandy point then i would not bother with a full on slalom board.
The back strap thing just takes time, i hated it and almost got rid of the board as i found that boots the those drake straps don't mix.
I found the best thing to solve this issue was to sell my house and move from the UK to Australia where i don't need boots even in winter.

I would try a slightly less race focused fin, mine loosened up a treat and is still quick.

sboardcrazy said...

Kazza said..

sboardcrazy said..

I think i read that my Tabou rocket freerides are designed to be used comfortably powered up whereas slalom boards need to be sailed overpowered to get results? Is that true or not?
I don't really like sailing overpowered .I wear out too quickly.. Getting old..
No wind -planning board choices for summer.. ( Still looks good for next few days..shh!)

ah but if you use a slalom sail with a slalom board I find the slalom boards gybes beautifully. I don't sail overpowered on mine (I get the same pooped feeling as you). I always rig to the conditions not to the board and if the wind does pick up the slalom sails are more forgiving in the strong winds, hence more board control and also the right size fin helps control the slalom board to. As you get used to the slalom board I find you feel really comfortable sailing in powered up conditions and can sail a little overpowered and downwind more to get the speed results.

Why not have both boards....

$ and space for storage and car carrying.... Mind you if you have a freebie on offer..

That's how used to think, but now I have 50 thousand different boards, sails, masts etc etc. Bought a big 4WD to fit it all in. And taken over my partners tool shed (he now has the little garden shed for his tools). I get bored sailing the same board & with all the guys down here in Tas buying new gear all the time I feel underdown if I don't have the new gear. AND I LOVE NEW TOYS!! Also like to have the right board for the conditions & discipline. If windsurfing is your thing may as well make the most of it!

I suppose I can just try a better fin in my Rockets and see how they go although it will have to be a weedie for the speed stuff.In summer I'll be in lake chop mostly so won't go as fast.

Gazman,

I have two Rockets, a 105 which I think is a 2006 model and 2009 135l model. In the 105 I have a few different fins. Mainly use an older fin in the 105 in weed free water, its about 28cms long and is a swept back pointer. In weed I'm mainly using a Maui Ultra Fin Delta Freeride 19cm fin. In flat water its great and sheds weed like the proverbial hot knife through butter. For the bigger Rocket in weed free water I really like the standard Tabou 48cm fin. I also have a few smaller fins. One I don't like is a wider fin. I think its 42cms but seems to generate a huge amount of lift. I go down to a 35cm Select fin. In weedy water I use a Select Eliminator fin which is okay but a bit boring. However that may be due to the fact that sailing in cold conditions in flat, weedy water is not very inspiring.

Kazza said..

sboardcrazy said...

Kazza said..

sboardcrazy said..

I think i read that my Tabou rocket freerides are designed to be used comfortably powered up whereas slalom boards need to be sailed overpowered to get results? Is that true or not?
I don't really like sailing overpowered .I wear out too quickly.. Getting old..
No wind -planning board choices for summer.. ( Still looks good for next few days..shh!)

ah but if you use a slalom sail with a slalom board I find the slalom boards gybes beautifully. I don't sail overpowered on mine (I get the same pooped feeling as you). I always rig to the conditions not to the board and if the wind does pick up the slalom sails are more forgiving in the strong winds, hence more board control and also the right size fin helps control the slalom board to. As you get used to the slalom board I find you feel really comfortable sailing in powered up conditions and can sail a little overpowered and downwind more to get the speed results.

Why not have both boards....

$ and space for storage and car carrying.... Mind you if you have a freebie on offer..

That's how used to think, but now I have 50 thousand different boards, sails, masts etc etc. Bought a big 4WD to fit it all in. And taken over my partners tool shed (he now has the little garden shed for his tools). I get bored sailing the same board & with all the guys down here in Tas buying new gear all the time I feel underdown if I don't have the new gear. AND I LOVE NEW TOYS!! Also like to have the right board for the conditions & discipline. If windsurfing is your thing may as well make the most of it!

I'd love to..Think my partner would get pretty upset if I spent the $ I owe him on a shed full of toys though.. Re fins I don't have much trouble with spin out except with the 18cm weedie on my 78ltre..They probably aren't the best to go fast though. I notice I point better with a non weedie..although my 38cm weedie isn't too bad.

I don't have trouble with the 30cm Tabou fin spinning out and find it quote good although if I want to get faster speeds I may have to go a faster fin.... Maybe it's technique?

sboardcrazy said..

I suppose I can just try a better fin in my Rockets and see how they go although it will have to be a weedie for the speed stuff.In summer I'll be in lake chop mostly so won't go as fast.

Your kidding !!!! the sand islands is just as flat as Canton

ka43 said..

Maybe it's technique?

Possibly, but less posting and more time on water will probably help

Not much wind around at the moment and none forecast either so there is bound to be more silly posts here.

come back to Noumea and bring your gear !!!

BTW :
post 1000 !!!!!!!!!!!!