WideBodies with Twin Fins: Stillborn?

Saw a couple ads last year, haven't seen anything this year.

Is this one of those things that sounds good, but doesn't work in real life?

My agenda is that it seems like I'm fighting nature by not getting a widebody as my big board, but the super-long fins don't seem like a very good match for the low-tide baysailing that I do about half the

Pete, It does seem like a good idea whose time has come for the reason you give, but it doesn't appear as though anyone has done it correctly yet.

Pete, I've been advocating for twin fin widebodies for a couple of years. I've mentioned it several times on this NG. There hasn't been an honest attempt at making it work, that I know of. The Hi Fly Madd is the closest production to effort to date. It will take someone willing to think outside of the box, instead of saying that it can't work and then citing an example of an airplane wing or going on about drag coefficients. There is a rail/fin relationship that generates lateral resistance in coordination with the sail and sailor and determines AOA and boat speed. I know that when I am riding the GO 170, only the back corner of the board and the fin is touching the H20. On shortboards there is a relationship between footstrap placement and the fin...it seems that a fin could be placed in the same area on each side of a widebody. I think that the fin(s) and possibly the hull may not look like what is currently available or may incorporate a fin/keel combo or hydrofoil...there may be some sort of an integrated retractable system. The problem is, that windsurfing is not the America's Cup with a large R&D budget. Another problem is that as soon as someone figures it out, someone else will duplicate it and make the money that the originator should have made for his/her effort and originality. It's blind man's bluff right now at the cutting edge of Formula with bragging rights and unit sales at stake...I don't see anyone with the capital to deviate from the current course and still stay in the race. It will take lots of failures and a trial and error approach... maybe Ted Turner or Bill Koch will start windsurfing and help us out...

WARDOG

<<I don't see anyone with the capital to deviate from the current course and still stay in the race. It will take lots of failures and a trial and error approach... maybe Ted Turner or Bill Koch will start windsurfing and help us out...>>

I kayak past Bill Koch's house on Billionaire Row, Oyster Harbor every now and then. The dude loves to spend money on material objects. He has so many boats, he bought his own marina. He's kind of on the eccentic side, I truely believe if he ever got into windsurfing, he would build giant fans on his waterfront property for those non windy days.

Giant fans? I'm there.

Some twin-finned boards had specialized bases so they were unpopular because you could not change out the fin. I rode one and it seemed a lot different than a single fin board...the leeward rail would rise up and buck me off the board sometimes (that is buck me off more than

We should now note (for those who might have forgotten) that Will is a BIG guy. Not many boards would be able to buck him off. He could probably keep a longboard with centerboard down on the water.

Dog

Hey thanks Dog for the clarifications.

Wish I waz on my way to sail with you guys....still working on a San Antonio/Dallas/Houston trip in the next 2 months or so....will touch base prior.

Good winds to ya'll.

-WillV-

I tried the same board and had similar reaction (that is 'What the heck is going on?'. I have tried the Techno 283 and it is super easy by comparison.

Paul, what article is this? Two of my sailing buddies and I have had questions about certain conditions and stance issues. I'd like to have a 'troubleshooting' guide.

I really do noy know what to say about twin fins. I had a Windsurfing Hawaii Cobra in 1980. IT had short twin fins, square tail, very stable sailing the Gorge almost alone.

Now the new ones. I do need to sail the Madd to see which fins work good.

We are making replacemen ttwin fins for the Bic. Also will have twin weed fins available soon.

Wish I had more to say. There is a lot for me to learn. 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