Screamer 268 Review

Carl Edgar

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Mar 27, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/27/97

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Just bought an XLE version of the 268 after trying an F2 Axxis 272 and
Fanatic Bee 264. I was looking for one board to cover the majority of my
sailing requirements and the Screamer seeemed to be the easiest to sail in
light winds (at 80 Kg I can still tack and uphaul it) whilst still being
stacks of fun when the wind picks up. Possible not as exciting as some
others but, for me anyway, a much wider useable wind range.

Thanks to everybody who responded to my earlier posting seeking advice.

Happy sailing,
Carl

Wolfram Pietzsch

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Apr 1, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/1/97

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"Carl Edgar" <ca...@iplbath.com> wrote:

>Just bought an XLE version of the 268 after trying an F2 Axxis 272 and
>Fanatic Bee 264. I was looking for one board to cover the majority of my
>sailing requirements and the Screamer seeemed to be the easiest to sail in
>light winds (at 80 Kg I can still tack and uphaul it) whilst still being
>stacks of fun when the wind picks up.

Hi Carl

You say you can still uphaul when the wind gives out. Have you actually done it?
According to my calculations, there would be no reserve buoyancy for you. The
board has 93 litres -7kg weight - 8kg for the rigg = 78 kg compared with your
weight of 80 kg plus say 3 kg for a wetsuit (when wet) plus a soggy PFD = this
makes it a sinker for you!!

I draw my hat! You must be very good to still be able to uphaul. I have not been
able to do it on my Seatrend 8'8" which has similar weight and volume and I
weigh only 73kg. When I try this I drive the whole board underwater and end up
falling anywhich way. I have been able to tack with lots of wind, but even that
is usually very dicey.

My Seatrend is getting on in age and I will have to replace it sooner or later.
Your board is high on my list (or the Screamer 263 ex-Electron). Please keep us
informed about your experiences with the new 268.

Wolf

Carl Edgar

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Apr 2, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/2/97

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Wolfram Pietzsch <pie...@cam.org> wrote in article
<33418766...@nntp.hip.cam.org>...

>>SNIP<<

> Hi Carl
>
> You say you can still uphaul when the wind gives out. Have you actually
done it?

Yes, I've sailed the concept version and bought the XLE and I've uphauled
both several times (in force 2-4) although I'ts not my idea of fun :-)

> According to my calculations, there would be no reserve buoyancy for you.
The
> board has 93 litres -7kg weight - 8kg for the rigg = 78 kg compared with
your
> weight of 80 kg plus say 3 kg for a wetsuit (when wet) plus a soggy PFD =
this
> makes it a sinker for you!!

Well.... I don't normally wear a PFD and I doubt if I could uphaul it in no
wind. However, I've noticed with a number of boards that the volume
distribution can make a board much more stable for tacking and uphauling.
The 268 is less radically teardrop than others (such as the Axxis 272 which
I found much harder work despite the fact is supposed to have more
volume!). A number of testers mention that the 268 feels 'floaty' for its
size - perhaps the volume figures are inaccurate?

I've owned several brands of boards but keep coming back to Mistral because
their boards allways seem easy to sail (to me anyway).

> I draw my hat! You must be very good to still be able to uphaul. I have
not been
> able to do it on my Seatrend 8'8" which has similar weight and volume and
I
> weigh only 73kg. When I try this I drive the whole board underwater and
end up
> falling anywhich way. I have been able to tack with lots of wind, but
even that
> is usually very dicey.

Uphauling and tacking a marginal sinker does require a fair degree of
skill. The main secret is speed. As long as there is (some) wind in the
sail you are relatively safe.

Happy sailing,
Carl

Ralf Sigmund

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Apr 6, 1997, 4:00:00 AM4/6/97

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> volume!). A number of testers mention that the 268 feels 'floaty' for its
> size - perhaps the volume figures are inaccurate?

I checked the April 97 issue of the German Surf Magazine.
It says wight 7.7kg volume 98 Liter.
Also, salt water has a higher density then sweetwater...
Ralf

GU111

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Apr 12, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/12/97

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I have the new 268 and first time out with a 6.6 the wind dropped to
nothing. I weigh 170 lbs and managed to uphaul it OK, but it was flat calm
and it did sink about 6 inches under while I was doing it.