Speeeeeeed video

[ulfp]

Check out the video link from  mastersofspeed.com.

The video is about 100 MB, so it takes a while to download, but it is well worth the wait to see some of the awesome 45knt runs... (perhaps sukhdev can save the video on his server)

[<Juri Munkki>]

It downloaded at about 1 Mb/s for me, but it still took a few minutes.

The mast that Martin van Meurs is using looks like it bends like a wet noodle compared to the ones the others are using. It's probably just something about the way the RS4 behaves (more built-in luff curve)?

Erik Beale's rig is the exact opposite: it looks like the mast is almost straight at times.

[Mr. Happy]

Martin is using a X9 recomended mast so it is really the sail.

[<Martin van Meurs>]

I used the X9 mast. The sail has got a built-in luff curve like Juri says. The big mastsleeve is the main advantage I guess. It helps to bend the mast leeward even while rigged and lying on the beach.

The whole set-up allows me to keep the board down. As a lightweight (82k) I always had to struggle with an adjusted stance (putting less pressure on the fin and using fairly small sailzsizes) to prevent my boards from flying. The RS3 forced me into an upright stance, that turned out not to be right for the RS4. With the RS4 I was being pulled around initially as you can see on the video.

The film footage was shot during the early stages of the day. I really struggled to find the right set-up. The board went "up and down" all the time. It resulted in a very fast high end GPS speed on my speedboard (nearly world record speed), but I couldn't hold on to this speed on the complete course. It was only until later during the day that I found out I could place the mastfoot further back and raise the boom even more. I switched to my slalomboard of 235x53 and "sat" more into my gear. This helped a lot resulting in my best speed up till now of 42,22 knots.

In the meantime I have been training extensively with the RS4 and I am positive I can go a lot faster. I found out the right trim for the speedboards as well, so with a little help from the windgods this fall hopefully I can close the gap with the big guys a little more.

[<denis>]

Martin, do you know if Finian Maynard was carrying a GPS on his runs and if he did what was the max speed recorded?

[<Martin van Meurs>]

Finian was not using a GPS device. I didn't sail as constant as Finian,  so I am pretty sure his speed differences on the course will be a lot less than mine. I had a speed difference of nearly 4 knots compared to the 500 mtr. course. This would indicate Finian could have done a top speed of 50 knots, but to be fair I think the difference is less because of his powerfull and smooth sailing style. Hopefully he will be using a GPS this fall so we will know more. It would be very interesting to know the GPS top a surfer can reach.

[<Stefan>]

Hey Martin great sailing on your part! Can you tell me what fin size and fin type you use with your 53cm wide board?

[<Martin van Meurs>]

I used a Deboichet 30cm. down wind slalom fin.
Jean Jaques builds great fins!
The fins are slippery and very easy to control even in the strongest gusts.

[<david>]

Martin, you used a 30cm fin for you're 42+ knot ductch record??? What sort of thickness is JJ using to get that sort of speed out of a 30cm length fin?

I note Eric said most were using 22.5 cm speed fins at St Marie de la Mer.

[<Phil>]

Martin
You guys are obviously the experts in this and certainly don't need advice from a bunch of recreational sailors but I have to agree with David.  I have just watched the video and at those speeds a 30cm fin must be like a daggerboard - huge amounts of unnecessary drag and lift.  Next time please try 22-24cm.  Just remember to credit us when you take the record!!
Regards
Phil