Xantos 285
Thomas G. Reidenbaugh
I want to get a first slalom shortboard. I can buy a (new) '96 F2
Xantos 285 for $799. (1) Is this a good price? (2) Is this an
appropriate board for me?
I'm 6 ft, 175 lb, intermediate on a longboard--meaning I sail a Veloce
328 on flat water. I consistently sail in the harness and (front)
footstrap, and I'm good at light wind pivot jibes. I want to learn to
waterstart, sail in both straps, and do carve jibes, and I specifically
want a shorter board to learn on. It should respond significantly
differently than my 328, but not be too big a jump for me. Can I still
uphaul and tack a 285 when I have to?
Naishman
I have the Xantos 295 and often wish I had just a little smaller board. I
think the price for the board is great. I have seen those boards as high
as $1,200. I am 165 pounds and the Xantos 295 floats me with no problem.
The 285 should float you well enough for your ability level when you "have
to" uphaul. Try to get out of the habit of uphauling, waterstart as much
as you can, even in light wind.
If the 285 is anything like the 295, it is very durable, light, very fast,
and carves a great turn. The 295 loves flat water and can be sailed up to
25 knot winds with not much problems. BUT! get it in chop with that
wind, you can't keep it on the water. I think the 285 will be better with
this respect.
To sum things up, going from your long board to the 285 is a bit of a
jump, but if you are determined, you will master it and really enjoy this
board for the rest of its life.
Go For It!
Windful Wishes,
Todd
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
F2 Xantos 295
1996 Mistral Electron CGI
World Cup, Fiberspar Mast
Aerotech Sails: 6.8, 5.5 race, 5.0, 4.2
True Ames Weed Blade Fin & Concrete Blade Fin
NeilPryde 5mm Pro-Am Dry Suit
Tony Gaunce
>I want to get a first slalom shortboard. I can buy a (new) '96 F2
>Xantos 285 for $799. (1) Is this a good price? (2) Is this an
>appropriate board for me?
>
>I'm 6 ft, 175 lb, intermediate on a longboard--meaning I sail a Veloce
>328 on flat water. I consistently sail in the harness and (front)
>footstrap, and I'm good at light wind pivot jibes. I want to learn to
>waterstart, sail in both straps, and do carve jibes, and I specifically
>want a shorter board to learn on. It should respond significantly
>differently than my 328, but not be too big a jump for me. Can I still
>uphaul and tack a 285 when I have to?
I'm 170lbs and moved from a Mistral Escape (190l) to a Screamer II
(105l). I can uphaul a 6.5 (my biggest sail). I would also like
something in the 125l range for lighter days but given limitations of
my budget (can't afford a 3rd board right now), I'm having more fun on
the Screamer. I'd trade the Escape on a bigger slalom board but my
wife is just starting. Maybe once she moves to a shortboard.
I was sailing in the harness, in both straps and making some
waterstarts on the Escape before any shortboard experiences. Problem
was, on windy days the Escape was too much to handle.
Mike & Tammy Sainz
I rode the Escape, 285 & 295 Xantos and 9'3" Accelorator in Margarita
for 3 days. The Escape was OK but not very versatile. The Xantos's were
very fast for production and very stable jibers but I grew bored soon of
lugging the 20+ pounds through chop and swell. The 9'3" Accellerator was
the best light wind slalom I've ever ridden. Combined race speed with
Copello like smotheness and Seatrend jibing. A fantastic choice for
around $900 new for a 5.7 - 7.4 uphauler.
Tony Gaunce wrote:
>
> On Sun, 02 Feb 1997 07:08:10 -0500, "Thomas G. Reidenbaugh"
> <trei...@ptd.net> wrote:
>
--
mailto:zi...@cyberramp.net
Mariner Sails/ProTech/Windwing/Lightning Fins
To ride the wind is to ride heavenly movements as they approach the
living ocean.
Peter Lunt
I have a Xantos 285. I like the board, but use it mostly for light
winds. Handles well, planes fairly easily, very solid (read "heavy")
construction. Not blazingly fast, but good for an intermediate
shortboarder. You'll have to get used to the no-nose shape. I find
myself going to my Mistral Edge 268 when the wind increases, because the
Xantos gets airborne in heavy chop. Yes, you can definitely uphaul the
Xantos 285, unless you are a super-heavywight. I have no problem at 180
lbs. (82 Kg.). There are definitely faster boards in this category/size.
BTW, I also have an Epoxy Seatrend....Talk about fragile!!! If you are
learning to plane/jibe, think about the fragility factor, as you are
sure to crash a lot. The Xantos seems rather bullet-proof.
See you on the water
Peter Lunt
Norwich, Vermont