TRIWAVE/FREEWAVE

Fanatic Free wave/Tri Wave as a family for 2016.

I have Noah’s 82L Tri Wave that I am testing and a question has come to mind. How do the volume sizes of the Tri Waves fit in with Free Waves to make it a family?

FREEWAVE TE 76

Volume 76 l

Width 56 cm

Length 232 cm

Weight* 6.0 kg

Fittings MFC TF 2 × 11 cm / 1 × 18 cm; 2 × SlotBox / Center US Box

Recommended Sailsize 3.7 – 6.0 m²

TRIWAVE TE 82

Volume 82 l

Width 58 cm

Length 224 cm

Weight* 6.3 kg

Fittings MFC TF 2 × 11 cm / 1 × 17 cm; 2 × SlotBox / Center US Box

Recommended Sailsize 4.0 – 5.8 m²

FREEWAVE TE 86

Volume 86 l

Width 58.5 cm

Length 232 cm

Weight* 6.2 kg

Fittings MFC TF 2 × 11 cm / 1 × 19 cm; 2 × SlotBox / Power Box

Recommended Sailsize 4.2 – 6.5 m²

TRIWAVE TE 89

Volume 89 l

Width 59.5 cm

Length 227 cm

Weight* 6.45 kg

Fittings MFC TF 2 × 12 cm / 1 × 18 cm; 2 × SlotBox / Center US Box

Recommended Sailsize 4.2 – 6.2 m²

It is the 3rd year for the Free wave and those that know this board will tell you what an amazing board. My first test of the Tri Wave was in pure wave mode and in that setting it is very different to the Free Wave. ( https://thewavehobbit.wordpress.com/windsurfing/articles/fanatic-tri-fins-2016/ ) So for this test I have changed the settings, closer to the settings I use on my Free Wave 86L.

Side fins right at the back of the box, centre fin at the same distance from those. So you see the centre fin of the Tri is much closer to the tail.

Back strap as far forward as it can go. On the FW this means the back foot is over the trailing edge of the side fins and on the TW on the leading edge of the centre fin (a position I really like).

With the mast foot right at the back of the box, I moved the front straps back on the TW to give the same distance as the FW from the strap to the mast foot. This also made the spread of the straps nearer to the FW. So everything is further back on the TW.

Ok on the water to have a play. With these settings the boards do feel similar when sailing, the ride is very smooth. On the TW you do have to work a little when you start to come off the plane to keep it going. Even though everything is further back on the TW, it is still easy to get onto the plane and in the straps.

Coming off the water I had some questions in my mind. So I took some measurements to see how the widths are. Ok the TW is going to be smaller as it is less volume.

A.) Front foot strap:- FW 54 cm, TW 51.5 cm. B.) Leading edge of the side fins:- FW 41.6 cm, TW 39.3 cm. C.) Back strap:- FW 37.8 cm TW 32.5 cm. D.) Leading edge of centre fin:- FW 32.2 cm, TW 31.5. Tail:- FW 12 cm, TW 14 cm.

The FW has a curvier outline on the tail, which normally suggests a looser board. The TW is a lot more radical due to everything being further back. It is a high speed carving machine. The FW is far more traditional in a modern way, but you can still really through this board around. I have always thought it would be nice to have the mast foot further back on the Free Wave, the new TW has proved it is possible. This brings another question. If you wanted to rent a 86L FW but there were none left, do you go for the 82L TW or 89L? My feeling is that you go for the larger one unless you are willing to change to the new school stance,especially if the wind is not constant.

It is funny, I could easily change from the 86L FW to the 82L TW as the wind picks up. In Lighter winds I prefer the FW, it is easier to keep the board going or stand around waiting for the waves. If the wind is constant and you are planing all the time, well the TW is the board but be willing to go fast!

 So to make this a true family, the higher volume FWs are true at 106L and 116L. However after the 86L FW I would say you go with the 82L and 74L TW.