What does the Exocet Crusier fin look like in real life?

Guess this is directed at Wardog or Steve G. Is it boot shaped?

Hi Granata:

The Exocet Cruiser fin is a rather strange looking fin that looks kind of like a boot. The leading edge is very vertical and it has a very thick foil section. It developes a huge amount of lift for a very shallow fin. It is effective with sails as big as 9.0 but you would get better performance when using large sails with a blade fin in the 58 to 70 cm. size range.

Thanks Steve Gottlieb

Hi John:

If the the velcro closure on the 2000 model sail looks like it might pop off I would trim the batten some so it closes better. The RLT parts are available or the head of the sail can be modified to the 2001 and newer design. This would require you to send the sail back and for $30 dollars we could update it.

Thanks Steve Gottlieb Aerotech Sails

Yeah, yeah, yeah!. That makes perfect sense. By trimming just a wee bit, the velcro strap will close the end of the sleeve a little more and voila... Done. Thanks for that. WRT to the head in general that is awesome that you have a reconstruction technique IF it is ever needed (in addition to the original parts). I'll blast away with abandon and try my best to wear it out, knowing that the future of this sail is secure. Great info, and thanks for the response.

Can you say 'Football Fin'?

Hi John, Here's some 411 on the Cruiser fin setup: http://surfingsports.com/pimages/exo_cruiser_fins.jpg The centerboard is very wide and round with a thick foil. The Cruiser can be sailed without the centerboard and has a Tuttle plug like the START. The tail fin is kind of 'boot shaped' and has a very thick foil designed for maximum 'lift'. True Ames produces several fins that optimize performance for wide-tails: http://surfingsports.com/images/ taf_shallow_h20_tuttle.jpg http://surfingsports.com/images/ true_ames_formula_fin.jpg http://www.surfingsports.com/trueames.asp#

WARDOG

Thanks for the pics and comments. I can't shake the idea that there is something to getting that large area down low like that. Plus the wider chord in general. But the truth of the matter is what you guys who know fins would understand much better than me. Here's a comparison (exclusive of the 'boot' which is the topic.) Which would approximate the straight line performance of a deep formula fin the closest? On wide board(which of course would be sacrilege) A 42cm weed or a shallowwater/beginner 42cm. No weeds in the water. Now extend the argument to 52cm for both.

***speaks to electric box***

You asked:

Which would approximate the straight line performance of a deep formula fin the closest? On wide board(which of course would be sacrilege) A 42cm weed or a shallowwater/beginner 42cm. No weeds in the water. Now extend the argument to 52cm for both.

My Commnts

Tall , narrow and deep is most efficient. If you are not planing earliy enough go deeper, that is what works best.

Now, going deeper does not always work as we know, due to board width, water depth, weeds, etc.

Now another point, your question only asks about the depth of the fin. That is only one reference point. Existing 40 to 44 cm weed fins will not do as well as the DC 42., but with our Formula Someweed and Weed series you will get excellent low end at 50 and 56 depending on the board, sails size, rider weight.

The real questions are:

How much do you weigh? Where do you sail? Water depth? board and sail size sailing experience and skills

Then it is easy to specify and answer your questions.

Bill Kline Gorge Sport USA Curtis Performance Fins, Orca Fins, Orca Kite Fins Hood River, OR USA

ph/541 387 2649 fax/541 386 1715

'your question only asks about the depth of the fin' not exactly, <Sitka Now extend the argument to 52cm for both </Sitka the word 'both' in this context implies a comparison between a 52DC extrapolation and a 52Weed. Other reference points would be best centered around the fact that they are different shapes. Sorry if it wasn't clear. Just though this might be an interesting

ok interesting you should ask, more very low end , not much middle and top on DC 52.

However, there are some new designs. There will be regular preoduct intros. in this area over the next six weeks.

Thsi the result of research assembled by testers, myself in travels to Florida, Hatteras, Virginia, Texas, etc.

We could call it the Sandbar, Weed, Crab and lobster pot project

Bill Kline Gorge Sport USA Curtis Performance Fins, Orca Fins, Orca Kite Fins Hood River, OR USA

ph/541 387 2649 fax/541 386 1715