HS 133 V HS105

[AL]

For anyone interested:

Had first reasonable sail on HS133 with 8.1 2004 V8.
Unfortunately mostly underpowered, but some good info did come out.

When powered up the ride is very nice. The short length difinetely really works  well, and the extra volume over the 105 seems to allow you to 'push' harder on the fin.I feel that this will come into its own on the 9.8 when i get a chance.
The ease at which it goes up wind and the pointing angle feel better than the 105, particularly when not on Max power. The back foot sits much better on to the back of the board, comperd to the 105. This may be just thickness/and or shape. There is little or no chance of you heel dragging so you can crank upwind loading your back foot against the fin.
Interestingly (oddly?) you can get your back foot in more easily than the 105. This is a big plus!! It never seemed natural on the 105.

Reaching is smooth and easy and there is only a slight feeling that the extra volume deadens/softens the ride. It is stil very quick and easy to make go V. quick. Did not try deep down wind due to lack of breeze. - should have put up a 9.8!

Tacking gybing - The temperature was only three degrees (ignoring n/e wind chill) so my tacking was SLOW! But little difference showed up, i guess the volume was giving more time with out realising it!!!
Gybing  -  Much talked about. I never found the 105 difficult, but it seemd to have a fixed arc. The new shape is definately smoother and would seem to be able offer a tighter gybe line if required. You can crank it harder, progressively without feeling like you are going to stall the gybe. For those that founsd the 105 tricky this will be MUCH easier.
Stock fin seemed fine, but better assesment will come when sailing 8.1 WAY overpowered!

Over all for me this is replacing a GT85/HS105 Pairing. On first impressions it goes upwind well. probably points as well as the GT but is more fun particulalry for the short length upwind and for the narrower width  and small fin down wind. Testing with a 9.8  for me will be the acid test as the 105 'can' sail with 10m, but did not feel like it was really worth while. Hopefully the 133 will give me the carring capacity, of a 'big' board but with the 'fun' factor of the 105 + improved gybing.  

So far very pleased!
Hope this helps somebody!

AL.