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FLASH
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STARBOARD 2004
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Ever
since the original Formula was
introduced in 1999, Starboard have
paved the way with class leading
designs year after year. The results
could not be any clearer: simply put,
no other brand can globally claim as
many Formula Windsurfing medals over
the last half-decade.
With such a heritage, as direct
descendants of the original Formula
155 (1999-2000), the dominating
Formula 175 (2001), the 100cm wide
X-186 series (2002) and the
innovative ultra-compact Formula 147
(2003), the Starboard development
team now introduce the new flagship
2004 Formula series.
With over 26 different prototype
shapes designed, tested, re-designed
and re-tested for over 11 months by
a true R&D dream team (designers
Tiesda You, Svein Rasmussen and Jim
Drake, test pilots Remi Vila,
Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, Kevin
Pritchard, Brian Rogild, Michael
Nakvachara and Wojtek Brzozowski!),
one can rest assured that these all
new Formula 158 and 138 models will
once again be in the lead.
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Design
With strict Formula
regulations in place
limiting radical ideas,
fundamental fluid dynamic
theories were researched
through several hull
designs, while constant
tweaking of ergonomics,
rockerline, volume
distribution, rail and
chamfer shapes aim to
maximise every possible
detail. These optimised
details together with
several breakthroughs in
hull shape concepts, add
up to a whole that is
remarkably greater than
the sum of its parts:
angle and speed
performance is gained on
all tacks: pointing,
upwind, reaching, downwind.
An even more reactive,
responsive and
controllable ride than
ever.
Ultra
compact
A trend introduced last
season, the Formula boards
continue to become more
and more compact. A
compact board, with its
radically short length and
relatively high nose
volume, will have both a
minimised static weight
and a reduced dynamic
swing weight: the board
will feel remarkably
lively and reactive. This
translates into an
instinct-driven race board
capable of making the most
of wind shifts, gusts and
lulls.
High-aspect
planing surface
Considering the speeds at
which a Formula board
travels, it is no secret
that a high-aspect planing
surface - wider and
shorter - will provide
superior speed and
efficiency. The tail
outline has therefore been
redesigned to become wider
with a shorter flat
section. This also has the
advantage of providing at
the same time both greater
leverage and power for
improved pointing angles
and more bottom-end grunt.
Full
rail design
With fuller rails and a
vertical section of the
rail that extends higher,
the use of the rail when
biting upwind is maximised.
Towards the tail, these
fuller rails also provide
an extremely high degree
of comfort for the feet -
unanimously approved by
all top team-riders.
Towards the nose, the
start of the chamfers have
been edged forward so as
to provide an improved
upwind bite, yet on the
downwind tack, the
chamfers continue to add
comfort and control
against sharp chop.
Recessed
mast track
With the boards becoming
more and more compact,
overall thicknesses
increase. With the
recessed mast track, the
centre of effort is
lowered further to bring
the tenth degree of
ultimate control.
Zero-Vee
concept
Introduced in 2002, the
Zero-Vee concept has been
tweaked and tuned yet
again for 2004. Already
proven in the Formula 147,
the lack of vee in the
tail of the board allows a
hull to ride higher and
freer above the water
surface, with a
higher-aspect and more
efficient planing surface.
Simple mechanics also
imply that leverage is
increased, providing
significant gain in power
and acceleration.
Racing
finish
Stickers, paint, bottom
finish and other cosmetics
have been reduced to a
minimum, so as to provide
critical weight-savings.
Combined with an
ultra-light wood
technology lay-up
specification, the
Starboard Formula boards
boast possibly the lowest
volume-to-weight ratio
ever seen in the
construction of full-core
composite boards.
The larger of the two
models available, with
enough volume to cater for
sailors from 75-80kg and
above.
The 138 remains identical
to the 158 in all respects
bar the reduced overall
thickness and the
re-worked, more slender
rail shapes that add
control and comfort for
racers around 75kg or
below. The reduction in
volume also provides the
advantage of a lower board
weight.
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Specifications
Model |
Volume
liters |
Length
cm |
Width
cm |
Tail
cm |
Weight
WOOD
(+-5%) |
Weight
N-ASA
(+-5%) |
Finbox |
Fin
size |
Sail
size
m2 |
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Formula
138 |
138 |
227 |
100 |
76.0 |
8.1 |
- |
Deep
Tuttle |
Drake
Race 700 |
7.5-12.5 |
Formula
158 |
158 |
227 |
100 |
76.0 |
8.5 |
- |
Deep
Tuttle |
Drake
Race 700 |
7.5-12.5 |
Junior
Formula |
136 |
264 |
100 |
70.7 |
- |
11.6 |
Deep
Tuttle |
Drake
Race 660 |
7.5-12.5 |
Youth
Formula |
156 |
245 |
100 |
74.0 |
- |
12.8 |
Deep
Tuttle |
Drake
Race 700 |
7.5-12.5 |
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