Adam Congrats on your   PB's!

Nice Speed Steve!

Well-Done Milsy on the 105 kms!!

Hi Gabe, I am  thinking about getting a Diesel VW Transporter. I think you have one of these? Ever had any issues with yours?

Question for everybody:  I am going to seriously look at getting "some go fast gear" for Autumn and winter lake sailing. I don't want to mess around with massive 9m cammed sails, so what sail sizes would be good for my weight (86kg), assuming I want to be planning in say14-15kn and upwards? let's say I was using a board like Mark Jordan's 113L Falcon - man that thing is a rocket - wanna sell it Mark or do you love it way too much? Maybe i am starting at the wrong place......here is a better question: For Autumn and Winter on Queens, can I get away with the following go fast gear: one board, one mast, one boom, two sails? If so what are the recommendations?

How good was it to see so many sails on the lake today!

Hey Adam, I've got a SWB '97 T4 transporter.It's a 2.5l petrol.I do love it, but I'm just in the process of sorting out a new one.I've found them to be really reliable and super comfy for trips away.You'll only have issues as they start to get older.Nothing major eg: shocks, disc pads, engine mounts and other bits ad pieces.I do put it through a lot of shitty roads too.Parts are dear, but they last sooo long too.

I have over 310,000k's and still on the genuine clutch.I'm thinking of getting a diesel 4motion.They only make 2.0 litre diesel engines for them now, but you can get single or bi-turbo versions.I'd be looking at the 132kw bi-turbo and long wheelbase, and option up from the factory rather than add on here. One thing I found out is that a tow bar fitted costs $2,050!! owing to some computer in the wiring harness.Very expensive and hi-tech.

On the board front, yes get a Fanatic falcon, they are really comfortable to sail and perform very well. A bit fragile though, so be careful with it.Your sail sizes would be 8.0, 7.0, 6.0 for the 113 litre. I'd go at least 2 - 3 cams for top end performance.You may have to look at fins to suit the board too.Hope this helps.

Congrats with the PB's AJEaster, well done mate Re question, I'd say don't get carried away with gear, work out the best sail and board size for your favourite sailing spot. Get a nice slalom board and non stock fin, it looks like you like the Falcons so get one of those. I wouldn't worry about a full on race sail, my Pb was using a no cam, I've gone away from race sail to a slalom sail, much nicer overall and I don't think any slower doing what we do.

Nice speeds on a lake Steve 

Dion, Well-Done on your       PB's!!! Hope to see you down at the Lake more times in the Future!

Thanks for the encouragement guys! Dion that last run i saw you on, you were smoking!!!!!! that was a hell of a gust and you rode it well!!!!! CONGRATS ON THE 6 PBs MATEY!!!!!!!!!!!

Gabe, LWB Synchro Bi-Turbo - NICE!!!!! They have a silver Bi-Turbo LWB up here at John Oxley's - so much room. They also have the SWB in white. Are you getting the Syncro for AWD like safety or are you planning to do some offroad? If the later are you lifting her up a little?   Thanks for the feedback and recommendations. Please Let me know when you get you chariot, I would love to see it optioned up and full of toys!

Firie, thanks for the recommendations. I had a ride on Mark's Fanatic a couple of months ago and it blew my eyes into the back of my skull - quick to plane and oh so FAST. Weird riding with the straps on the rail as I am used to wave/freestyle boards, but would no doubt get used to that pretty quick. There has been much debate about cammed vs non-cammed sails on SBreeze, and I think the outcome was that non-cammed was slightly faster (apparently a mag test - will look more closely at this), but cams way more stable and a wider wind range - or something like that

Thanks again guys.

Adam, the AWd for those hard to get to sailing spots. We did call in to John Oxley and get a few prices on various options and one was the suspension upgrade.Not sure if it's a lift but more heavy duty components. The other stuff not added in the factory IE: stereo, curtains, split level for storage, as in my current van will be added as we go.I didn't see that silver LWB van.Pity.

We won't see the new van for at least 6months.Once ordered, they fit the special order into production. You can actually go to Germany and watch YOUR van get assembled to your specs.Very cool.

AJ what I was thinking was same as Gabe I think, go for a 2 or 3 cam slalom sail instead of a race sail. You will see the good guys and wanabes useing race sails but I really believe they're not needed for most of us, but then just my thoughts. I've been using a Loft 6.8 Blade race sail, great sail most of the time but a pain in the A water starting in the ocean when the wind drops as it does up my way, my new Loft 6.8 Switchblade is a 3 cam with a narrower luff pocket. It's quick and easy to rig on a RDM, feels as fast as the race sail but time will tell I guess, easy waterstarter, nice control yarda da etc. I'm not pushing Loft even though I love mine, most modern salom sails will be ok. KA's Koncept's not a wide pocket race sail and look how fast they go in the right hands 

As for the VW, seen one up here in orange with killer wheels, looked bloody awesome 

Well done Adam and Dion on your pb,s .

Great stuff team , good to see so many sailing and pbs for you guys

Like MARK said it was great to see so many Marauders out sailing on the Lake. I wish you had your GO-Pro Cam with you Mark.

Adam & Dion were really smoking it up! Great sunny day and wish for more to come.

Adam you have been bitten by the SPEED BUG ! Sorry to say there is no cure!!! Your HOOKED!!!!!!!!

Well done maurauders! You guys got some great results up there.Good to see.Wind has been few and far between here.We're so desperate for some consistent serious wind.

Dion and Adam -- excellent  PB results! Steve, that's great speed for the 6.5 and a 31cm weedy with that wind!

Adam, My thoughts mirror Firiebob's,re race sails and waterstarting and to some extent rigging, but if you were to have two sails and that wind strength, you'd really want an 8.0 and a 7.0 which would probably rig on the same 460 mast and same boom.A 6.0 would need a 430 mast.The cammed sails are more stable at top end and have a bit more upwind ability.I think you'll appreciate the benefits more than the disadvantages.

Having said that, you do get used to the wider luffs and waterstarting as well as different rigging process.A rig winch is not a bad idea to help get the extra downhaul needed too.The hard bit might be deciding which brand to go for.

Way to go Adam and Dion! Yeah go with Slalom gear Adam coz you like bumpy water sailing too but what do I know. I was envious to read the number of people out at Queens, it would have been a sight to see! I really wish I could've joined you guys. I'll be back with a vengeance one day soon I hope, I promise!

Thanks for the advice Firie and Gabe. Time to go shopping!

Nic: Jump on SBreeze and PM Mark. His SB identity is Aussieboats

Nice going team - Well done on the PB's