147 Fins

[<Thomas>]

Sukdev I am thinking of the 147 for my next formula board but after testing I am wondering if the fin would be too big for me cos my weight is 69kg. What size fin should I get as second fin? Any recommendation? Second question is does the foot strap position setting affect how I can handle the fin and what setting you suggest? Thanks!

[sukhdev]

For light air the stock fin should do fine for your weight. Re a second fin, my thoughts on that are a bit odd. The need for a second fin comes from having too much lift from say the stock 70cm. On the 147 you don't want to go too short for a high wind fin. I feel that reducing the length of the fin by alot moves the centre of lift from the fin up closer to the hull; if you are racing competitively this may lose you some trim on the 147.

What I'm saying above is that length is just one parameter in determing the lift of the fin. 2 70cm fins can have very different lift characteristics based on a combination of chord length (total area of foil), foil profile and stiffness. For the 147 I feel that its best to stay close to 70 but go for a fin with narrower chord & profile for higher winds. For example in the Select range, the Elite DCWide has 134mm chord but the Elite R01 has 122mm chord. So the same length fin between those 2 would offer very different lift characteristics. For Hurricane fins, the FRB5 and the FRB2 or 1 are wildly different in their lift/drag characteristics for the same length.

I'd suggest going not smaller than 66 at most, perhaps staying at 68 or even 70 but going for something like the Elite R01 or hurricane Frb2.

Re footstraps affecting the fin - the further back you move the rear straps the more sensitive the trimming via the rear foot and and it becomes easier to unwet the board - at the risk of spinning out more easily. Moving the straps forward helps to control the fin more easily. For lighter sailors try the forward most position for the rear straps, if its easy to control in this position then move them back one set of holes.

Taking the 2 in combination, ie a 70 or close to 70cm fin with lower raw lift based on a thinner profile and footstraps set for more control may give you the best combination of good trim (speed) and control. Don't forget that mast track position and boom height too will help determine how much control you can exert on the hull and fin. Its a total package to get the correct trim.

[MennoB]

Hi Sukhdev,

I sailed a few regattas now on F147 and FRB4.
Found out I'm OK in stronger winds, but loose terribly much ground in the light stuff.
Besides working very hard on lightwind technique and sparring, I have to get more horsepower in lightwind.

Apparently you (or someone you know) has sailed the FRB5. How does it compare to the FRB4? Did you already sail the FRB4 yourself?

BTW: the F147 and FRB4 is a killer-combo in higher (12+) winds!

[MennoB]

quote:Originally posted by <Thomas>:
Sukdev I am thinking of the 147 for my next formula board but after testing I am wondering if the fin would be too big for me cos my weight is 69kg. What size fin should I get as second fin? Any recommendation? Second question is does the foot strap position setting affect how I can handle the fin and what setting you suggest? Thanks!

What happened while testing, making you think the stock fin is too large for you?
I know sailors about your weight, and they don't have problems controlling the stock fin till well over 15 knots.

Putting footstraps a bit forward can help make the board softer in the shins. Mid-mid (back/front) positions.
Like Kevin P's settings at www.theteam.us

Once control becomes an issue, keep finlength at 70 (or maybe 67-68). But take a fin that is:
-thinner foiled
-harder
-narrower