Sport Today

by **Cliff Fros** » Tue, 12 Jul 2005 02:15:56

Hi,

Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A great
day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and sailed
non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.) (And,
at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

Summary: I LOVE this board!

Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
was pure joy to sail.

This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after yesterday
I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
it that I have to tease out.)

I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to get
this thing into coastal waves now.

A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

Cheers,
Cliff

by **LeeD** » Tue, 12 Jul 2005 03:50:42

Did I tell you so?

by **jeff feeha** » Tue, 12 Jul 2005 03:53:27

Hi Cliff,
As a Naish 8'11" owner, I'm interested to read your report - especially as
I'm shopping for a new board.

But i can't help wonder if the comparison is really valid - the cross is
quite a bit larger than the naish. Also, you say you were overpowered a
little, but isn't a 117 liter board kind of big for a 5.7? As i understand
it, you were bafing on the bay, not light wind wave sailing.

I sailed my naish for a little bit yesterday, and also sailed a friend's
carve 90 - i think it's a 2004. I was amazed at how easy the carve 90
is to jibe compared with the naish. I usually find that if i haven't sailed
my naish for a while, my jibes suck until i get used to it again. then
i get better. it's funny because when i first got the naish, i thought it
was a relatively easy board to jibe - in spite of what others said. i
think one problem may be that i usually sail formula now, and have lost my
touch with smaller boards.

nevertheless, the carve jibed easily the first time, and nearly every time
after that. i was amazed at how i could***it up, and still come out okay.
the carve 90 also jumps really well in onshore waves - you just carve it up
the face, and it goes - without loosing much speed as you go up the face.
narrow boards like the naish may be faster, but i find they don't keep their
speed as well for jumping in on-shore conditions. i think the narrow tail
sinks into the face when you carve up the wave.

anyway, congrats on the new board.

jeff feehan

Quote:

> Hi,

> Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A great
> day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

> I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and sailed
> non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.) (And,
> at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

> Summary: I LOVE this board!

> Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
> was pure joy to sail.

> This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
> Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
> that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after yesterday
> I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
> it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
> it that I have to tease out.)

> I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to get
> this thing into coastal waves now.

> A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
> my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

> Cheers,
> Cliff

by **Cliff Fros** » Tue, 12 Jul 2005 05:06:30

jeff,

I suppose the comparison may only be valid as to the spot in my quiver, but
it works for me. I liked the Naish in insane BAFing conditions and I was
concerned that 117 liters would be too much to handle, but it wasn't--I
never once felt like I had too much board. I'd ride it with my 5.2 sail
in an instant.

I really don't want more than 3 boards. Right now I have a Formula board (Mike's
Lab) the Exocet Cross 117, and the Starboard EVO 92. It feels like it's going
to be a good quiver.

LeeD (of controversial fame here ;-) was there yesterday and he did predict
that I'd love the Exocet. He had recently tried a Tabou that had very similar
dimensions and had been pleased at how well it handled high wind and chop.

I'd say there's no question that new boards are more user-friendly than older
style boards.

A local Formula racer I saw on Friday told me he has an Exocet Cross 102 that
he sails at Crissy Field and loves it also.

Thanks,
Cliff

Quote:

> Hi Cliff,
> As a Naish 8'11" owner, I'm interested to read your report - especially as
> I'm shopping for a new board.
> But i can't help wonder if the comparison is really valid - the cross is
> quite a bit larger than the naish. Also, you say you were overpowered a
> little, but isn't a 117 liter board kind of big for a 5.7? As i understand
> it, you were bafing on the bay, not light wind wave sailing.
> I sailed my naish for a little bit yesterday, and also sailed a friend's
> carve 90 - i think it's a 2004. I was amazed at how easy the carve 90
> is to jibe compared with the naish. I usually find that if i haven't sailed
> my naish for a while, my jibes suck until i get used to it again. then
> i get better. it's funny because when i first got the naish, i thought it
> was a relatively easy board to jibe - in spite of what others said. i
> think one problem may be that i usually sail formula now, and have lost my
> touch with smaller boards.
> nevertheless, the carve jibed easily the first time, and nearly every time
> after that. i was amazed at how i could***it up, and still come out okay.
> the carve 90 also jumps really well in onshore waves - you just carve it up
> the face, and it goes - without loosing much speed as you go up the face.
> narrow boards like the naish may be faster, but i find they don't keep their
> speed as well for jumping in on-shore conditions. i think the narrow tail
> sinks into the face when you carve up the wave.
> anyway, congrats on the new board.
> jeff feehan

> > Hi,

> > Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A great
> > day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

> > I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and sailed
> > non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.) (And,
> > at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

> > Summary: I LOVE this board!

> > Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
> > was pure joy to sail.

> > This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
> > Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
> > that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after yesterday
> > I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
> > it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
> > it that I have to tease out.)

> > I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to get
> > this thing into coastal waves now.

> > A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
> > my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

> > Cheers,
> > Cliff

by **Will** » Wed, 13 Jul 2005 00:20:14

Alright Cliff! Another CROSS 117 owner! I am so stoked you got one - you a
really making a move in your ws career to get the most our of this great
sport! Pretty soon you'll be going down the line and off the lip - going
for big-airs...just because "you can" ;)

It's just so easy to sail the CROSS and push yours and the board's limits -
It's the best all-around board I've ever owned - and I've owned quite a few
now...they finally got it right with this shape: multiple footstrap
positions, extra float, fast, jumpable, surf-sail-able and flat-water
blasting capable.

This new shape is re-defining "free-ride" - especially in open ocean/bay
sailing conditions. I used to think in terms of "wide-style" - but this new
shape is giving us a new option! Looking forward to hearing more about your
sailing experiences with this new gear!

The really interesting part is that I weigh significantly more than you at
250lbs - what are you 180 or so? So this board works over a large
sailor-size spectrum - that's saying a lot as well.

-WillV-

Quote:

> Hi,

> Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A
> great
> day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

> I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and sailed
> non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.)
> (And,
> at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

> Summary: I LOVE this board!

> Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
> was pure joy to sail.

> This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
> Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
> that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after yesterday
> I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
> it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
> it that I have to tease out.)

> I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to get
> this thing into coastal waves now.

> A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
> my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

> Cheers,
> Cliff

by **Cliff Fros** » Wed, 13 Jul 2005 02:21:45

Will,

What fin(s) do you use with your cross 117?

Sunday was even better than Saturday. Instead of slowly backing off the wind
just kept building up. My 5.8 was seriously overpowered late in the day but
it didn't matter--the board is just so easy to sail. The board appears to have
serious speed ability also, so I'm going to try racing it (not that that will
prove anything, since my transitions are so poor...)

Cheers,
Cliff

Quote:

> Alright Cliff! Another CROSS 117 owner! I am so stoked you got one - you a
> really making a move in your ws career to get the most our of this great
> sport! Pretty soon you'll be going down the line and off the lip - going
> for big-airs...just because "you can" ;)
> It's just so easy to sail the CROSS and push yours and the board's limits -
> It's the best all-around board I've ever owned - and I've owned quite a few
> now...they finally got it right with this shape: multiple footstrap
> positions, extra float, fast, jumpable, surf-sail-able and flat-water
> blasting capable.
> This new shape is re-defining "free-ride" - especially in open ocean/bay
> sailing conditions. I used to think in terms of "wide-style" - but this new
> shape is giving us a new option! Looking forward to hearing more about your
> sailing experiences with this new gear!
> The really interesting part is that I weigh significantly more than you at
> 250lbs - what are you 180 or so? So this board works over a large
> sailor-size spectrum - that's saying a lot as well.
> -WillV-

> > Hi,

> > Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A
> > great
> > day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

> > I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and sailed
> > non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.)
> > (And,
> > at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

> > Summary: I LOVE this board!

> > Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
> > was pure joy to sail.

> > This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
> > Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
> > that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after yesterday
> > I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
> > it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
> > it that I have to tease out.)

> > I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to get
> > this thing into coastal waves now.

> > A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
> > my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

> > Cheers,
> > Cliff

by **uglyjibe** » Wed, 13 Jul 2005 02:24:03

Since we're on the topic, I just had a killer day on my Cross117
sailing the feeder winds for Hurricane Dennis here in FL. Totally
stoked on the 7.4 phantom in about 16-20.

Having the inboard straps on the tail lets me run a nice small fin
(small for me!) on the board, making it even turnier. One thing I've
really enjoyed about this board is it's range in jibes - tight, wide,
fast, slow, however you want.

God, it sure would be nice to have one of those wardog fins for it, tho
- (hint, hint) Don't forget to give me a shout when you get 'em in
stock, buddy-o.

by **Charles Jutkin** » Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:07:05

Jeff this Cross is really a different kind of Board than anything before it
. The Naish shapes have always tended to be more old school . It's even
quite different than a carve if you try one you will be quite surprised.

Quote:

> Hi Cliff,
> As a Naish 8'11" owner, I'm interested to read your report - especially as
> I'm shopping for a new board.

> But i can't help wonder if the comparison is really valid - the cross is
> quite a bit larger than the naish. Also, you say you were overpowered a
> little, but isn't a 117 liter board kind of big for a 5.7? As i understand
> it, you were bafing on the bay, not light wind wave sailing.

> I sailed my naish for a little bit yesterday, and also sailed a friend's
> carve 90 - i think it's a 2004. I was amazed at how easy the carve 90
> is to jibe compared with the naish. I usually find that if i haven't
sailed
> my naish for a while, my jibes suck until i get used to it again. then
> i get better. it's funny because when i first got the naish, i thought it
> was a relatively easy board to jibe - in spite of what others said. i
> think one problem may be that i usually sail formula now, and have lost my
> touch with smaller boards.

> nevertheless, the carve jibed easily the first time, and nearly every time
> after that. i was amazed at how i could***it up, and still come out
okay.
> the carve 90 also jumps really well in onshore waves - you just carve it
up
> the face, and it goes - without loosing much speed as you go up the face.
> narrow boards like the naish may be faster, but i find they don't keep
their
> speed as well for jumping in on-shore conditions. i think the narrow tail
> sinks into the face when you carve up the wave.

> anyway, congrats on the new board.

> jeff feehan

> > Hi,

> > Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A
great
> > day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

> > I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and
sailed
> > non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.)
(And,
> > at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

> > Summary: I LOVE this board!

> > Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
> > was pure joy to sail.

> > This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
> > Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
> > that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after
yesterday
> > I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
> > it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
> > it that I have to tease out.)

> > I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to
get
> > this thing into coastal waves now.

> > A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
> > my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

> > Cheers,
> > Cliff

by **jeff feeha** » Wed, 13 Jul 2005 23:54:06

well, certainly i'd love to try it. i just have trouble imagining
that it's a good choice for overpowered 5.8 sailing on SF bay. but
i guess that maybe it's one of those things that you don't know
till you try it.

i agree that the naish is old school. i still like it, but i want to
replace it with something that planes a little earlier with a 6.5.
i'm still thinking of getting about the same volume (100-105 litres)
but wider and more modern. i think the S-Type is 1st on my list.

jeff feehan

Quote:

> Jeff this Cross is really a different kind of Board than anything before it
> . The Naish shapes have always tended to be more old school . It's even
> quite different than a carve if you try one you will be quite surprised.

>>Hi Cliff,
>>As a Naish 8'11" owner, I'm interested to read your report - especially as
>>I'm shopping for a new board.

>>But i can't help wonder if the comparison is really valid - the cross is
>>quite a bit larger than the naish. Also, you say you were overpowered a
>>little, but isn't a 117 liter board kind of big for a 5.7? As i understand
>>it, you were bafing on the bay, not light wind wave sailing.

>>I sailed my naish for a little bit yesterday, and also sailed a friend's
>>carve 90 - i think it's a 2004. I was amazed at how easy the carve 90
>>is to jibe compared with the naish. I usually find that if i haven't

> sailed

>>my naish for a while, my jibes suck until i get used to it again. then
>>i get better. it's funny because when i first got the naish, i thought it
>>was a relatively easy board to jibe - in spite of what others said. i
>>think one problem may be that i usually sail formula now, and have lost my
>>touch with smaller boards.

>>nevertheless, the carve jibed easily the first time, and nearly every time
>>after that. i was amazed at how i could***it up, and still come out

> okay.

>>the carve 90 also jumps really well in onshore waves - you just carve it

> up

>>the face, and it goes - without loosing much speed as you go up the face.
>>narrow boards like the naish may be faster, but i find they don't keep

> their

>>speed as well for jumping in on-shore conditions. i think the narrow tail
>>sinks into the face when you carve up the wave.

>>anyway, congrats on the new board.

>>jeff feehan

>>>Hi,

>>>Yesterday it was averaging 23mph at Berkeley with the range 20-27. A

> great

>>>day to put my brand new Exocet Cross 117 to the test.

>>>I used my Aerotech Charge 5.8m sail and my Wardog 13.5" ATX fin and

> sailed

>>>non-stop for 2 hours. (So the sail, board, and fin came from Wardog.)

> (And,

>>>at 208lbs I was overpowered a little.)

>>>Summary: I LOVE this board!

>>>Upwind, downwind, across the wind, jibing, tacking, (mini) jumping--it
>>>was pure joy to sail.

>>>This board replaces the spot in my quiver held by my late, much-lamented
>>>Naish 8'11". I have no idea how it compares in straight-line speed with
>>>that board. (I would have guessed it would be slower, but after

> yesterday

>>>I'm not sure. The Cross went fast and I'm pretty sure I haven't found
>>>it's top speed yet--I got hints a few times of a supercharger lurking in
>>>it that I have to tease out.)

>>>I have to say that I no longer miss my Naish at all. I can't wait to

> get

>>>this thing into coastal waves now.

>>>A week ago I sailed it wildly under-powered. It was easier to slog than
>>>my 133 liter Xantos II 295.

>>> Cheers,
>>> Cliff

by **Cliff Fros** » Thu, 14 Jul 2005 01:52:16

Quote:

> well, certainly i'd love to try it. i just have trouble imagining
> that it's a good choice for overpowered 5.8 sailing on SF bay. but
> i guess that maybe it's one of those things that you don't know
> till you try it.

Yes, I understand the doubt, but I was even more overpowered on it on
Sunday and it was absolutely wonderful. Still, the Cross 102 is probably
a better comparison to the Naish than the 117.

Cheers,
Cliff

Sport Today

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117

An almost perfect day on Exocet Cross 117