I have to admit, after awhile, the superlatives hurled at new gear gets to be a bit over the top for me. Whether its a sail, board, boom or anything for that matter, it sounds like people sounding off on the reinvention of the wheel. Unfortunately, I’m about to do it because I’m completely blown away by the Quad Fin 85.

I’ve been sailing the Twin Fin 78 for three years. It was the most amazing board I’d ever ridden. It changed my sailing. After some technique modifications I was able to go anywhere with that board, front foot, back foot, it just didn’t matter. Mast+ to chest high, 3.7/5.3, its a magic ride that made me attack the wave.

However, after 250+ flat landed backloops and spin/smashed push loops landings I decided it was time for a fresh board for the coast. My only option for this spring was a Quad 85 Pete had on Maui. It was already built and ready to go. In my eyes it was a tad too big and floaty for my style. I was so very very wrong.

I’ve always sailed 74-78 liter wave boards. At 180 pounds, thats a bit small for thr Oregon Coast. But I couldn’t stand the bouncing big rides of the 90 liter boards. Now I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to anything under 85.

This Quad 85 is slightly wider and longer than the TF 78, but you’d never know it on a face wave, looping, or ripping in anyway. Sure, upwind is easier, light wind is easier, but the actual attacking of the wave and the lip is not compromised by the size of the board, only complimented. I was shocked how easily it pivoted, held the rail in overpowered 4.7, and released for loops. In almost everyway, it felt and rode as a much smaller board. Just a little foot pressure here or there, and away it went. Not that it was nervous, but it was quick to react!

I sailed it in perfect side-off 4.7, perfectly overpowered onshore 4.7, and even an extremely overpowered 3.7 day to see how it faired in less than perfect wind/waves.

All I can say, is the my OES TF 78, a life changing board, is going to have to sit it out until I’m back in the Gorge sailing bump and jump. I’ve been converted thanks to OES Australia!!!

One last thing, Mark and Matt, I am not eating crow, this board is not a light wind board with a single fin, its an entirely different Beast!!!