FF138 or F138

[<Alper>]

Hi, Im planning to buy a board for light winds , Im 73 kg ,intermediate,recreational  sailor, I will use it with 9,8 sail btw.6-15 knots.Later I will add 8,5 sail . Everbody says that If not a racer you dont need a formula board,but I just want to be sure that Formula 138 or FF 138 would fit better for me.I dont want to buy again next year. I only know that Formula has better upwind performance than FF138.Also do I need a diffrent fin size for the sails 8.5 & 9,8 btw.6-18 knots? FF138 comes with 56cm .Ive read the FF review but I have no info to compare to F138.Thanks for help.

[sukhdev]

Hi Alper,

the formula has higher performance upwind, but its more physical to sail. I've sailed the F158 and FF158, the free formula is more comfortable to handle especially on the reach. Unless you are looking for the ultimate in performance, the FF will suit you much better.

Re fins: I'd suggest just using the stock fin at first. You can go up to a 60cm for more lift in light winds but I'd only suggest doing that if you find the stock fin not powerful enough and the only way to tell that is to sail it.

The sail sizes you have chosen are a nice spread and should give you a really good wind range.

[<Alper>]

Thanks for the advise Sukhdev.So, if the answer is the FF, which one is suitable for me? 138 or 158? There is a same question in starboard forum nowadays but I couldn't find any answer there..most say 138 is targeted for the unheavy guys but also some say  158 is better for light winds .If a person (who is 72 kg) wants to use that board for below 18 knots with 8.5 & 9.8 size of sails, which one better performs? 138 or 158.Thanks a lot .

[sukhdev]

Alper,

my take is which board will have a better "feel". The ff158 will work better in light winds but will feel corky and bouncy for recreational sailing over in higher winds. The thinner hull will feel more direct and fun, gybing etc would be much better. For a hard core racer (even a lightweight) I'd say stick with the 158 but since your needs are recreational I think the thinner hull will feel more fun. Of course you sacrifice some low end performance but i think what you gain in control is worth the sacrifice. My suggestion is 138.

[<Alper>]

Hi Sukhdev , first of all I want to thank you for your informative advises. There is one more thing that I forgot to tell you and still unclear for me to decide which board I should buy FF138-FF158

If I had also C99 to use with 5.4 & 6.7 conditions, does FF 138 overlap with C99 ?

I got your point that FF138 has more fun than FF158 ,and also have good performance with small sails and furthermore it fits to my weight, but I only think to use FF138 (8 and 9.8 sails)
btw 8-18 knots as for my light winds equipment More than 18 knots I would like to use C99.

I hope I could bring my planning below 8 knots with 9.8 (72-73 kg person) , and having a good light winds performance btw 8-18 knots with 9.8 &8,5 sails with FF138.Thanks again for your advice and thanks for a great forum.

[<IJ>]

Have not sailed the FF138 or F135, but your friends are right, if you do not race go for the FF. I have the FF158, it sails great.

[Michael Vong]

Hi Alpher,
I am about the same weight as you and am now sailing a FF158 with a 9.3m sail. I also had that decision to make whether to buy the 138 or the 158. For most of our light wind days, the FF158 would be good. If the wind picks up to beyond 15knots, I'll switch to my JP114 with a 7m sail.I guess if you already have an alternative board to sail for the high wind days, the FF158 would be good for you. Why dont you try one out and see how each feels? I am sure sukhdev can let you try one out at PF.

[sukhdev]

Alper,

split the 8 to 18 knots into 2, ie 8 to 12 and 12 to 18. What percentage of your sailing will be in 8 to 12? You could add a 3rd band which is 10 to 15. You then have to decide which range is your most common conditions. So, the choice is between power & early planing (ff158) or smoothness and control (ff138). Bear in mind in either case adding a good fin etc can make a huge difference in light air performance.

I dont see an overlap with the Carve 99 at all. The carve will truly come alive just around 18 to 20 and depending on fin/sail can stay controllable till high 20s.

Mike thanks for your valuable input, would love to let Alper demo a board but he is in Turkey!

[<Alper>]

As Sukhdev said that because Im in Turkey , I've no chance for demo so I need to apply your experiences and views before buying.
I understand that FF158 gets into planinng 1-2 knots earlier,but also you say 2 knots would be sacrifised for better control and a crispy ride for my weight ,I am totally agree with you.

Generally wind here is btw 8-15 knots, 8-12 knots condition not so much more than 12-18 knots cond. What's the low end for FF138 for my weight with 9.8 ?
I just hope to get into planning with FF138 & 9.8 at least 8-10 knots upto 12 and using 8.4 for 12-18 knots.Thanks again for your advices.

[sukhdev]

Alper, looking at your wind ranges I'll stick with my suggestion on 138. The overlap with 99 is much closer, ie you should be able to stay on the 138 right until its a perfect switch to the 99.

For the 9.8 my suggestion is get a second fin. The original 56 is pretty versatile but for really light air either a 62 or 60 will make a big difference in early planing. That way you have:
light air 8 to 12 knots : 62/60 + 9.8
moderate 12 to 18 : 56 + 8.4
18+ : carve 99 (yahoo!)

You can't really go too far wrong with either 158 or 138. In the end the choice is which one suits your conditions better and which one has the preferred feel for you.