Large Rio & Free Formula 198

sam 2007 · 20th April 2008, 02:47 AM

Roger,
I'm still sailing my Free Formula 198 and doing well on it in 10 - 20 knots. About the only problem I have is when I use it on light wind days with a 5.5 or 6.5 and work on old school free style. It's plenty stable but I cannot stay upwind in light air with a small sail on it.

I've been reading about the Rios and the Large is about the same size as my Free Formula but with a daggerboard. How do these 2 boards compare for stability both in light wind and when planing. I use my 5.5, 6.5, 8.0 and 10.0 Retros on the FF. Would the 10.0 work on the Rio too?

I would likely replace my FF with the Rio if I got it cause we don't have lots of storage space.

Thanks.

Sam

Roger · 22nd April 2008, 08:48 AM

Hi Sam,
I can only comment on the new Rio M, but if the Rio L is the same, only a bit longer and wider (and heavier @ 14.6 Kg) it will make a pretty good replacement for your '02/'03 Free Formula 198.
Here's the specs on the FF 198 from the '02 website archive:
Volume 198 liters
Length 280 cm
Width 90.0 cm
Tail 66.3 cm
Weight (DRAM) 10.1 kg
Here's the specs. for the 2008 Rio L (Large):
Volume: 215 liters
Length: 290 cm
Width: 85.0 cm
Tail; 67.2 cm
Weight: 14.6
So, the new Rio L is a little longer, a little narrower, and 4 Kg. heavier.
I've sailed the '08 Rio M very powered up on a 6.6 m2 Sailworks NXslm race
sail and it was very similar to what I remember the early Free Formulas (GO shape
in a lighter DRAM construction) to be.
I also sailed the new Rio M a whole lot ( 3 days/5-6 hours/day) this past weekend at the Hatteras/Frisco Woods Windfest in light to very light winds with a 5.0 m2 Sailworks Retro Ripper 3 rig.
Had no problems staying upwind at all, even towing some "wayward" students back in from quite a ways offshore in pretty much offshore winds.
I think you'll find the new Rio L to be just what you need, even with the heavier weight.
The Rio's are all "Tufskin" construction, and very durable, hence the greater weight.
Hope this helps,
P.S. Since you are working on freestyle moves, I found the Rio M to be the easiest board I've ever sailed backwards. Frisco Woods being very shallow, I didn't want to drag the Rio out over all that shallow water.
Turn board around, beachstart normally, and presto...... I could sail out "fin first" in about 8" (20.3 cm) of water.
You are a bit heavier, but the Rio L is a bit floatier so I think you could sail in 8" of water as well.

20th April 2008, 02:47 AM	#1
sam 2007 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mid West - USA Posts: 38	Large Rio & Free Formula 198 Roger, I'm still sailing my Free Formula 198 and doing well on it in 10 - 20 knots. About the only problem I have is when I use it on light wind days with a 5.5 or 6.5 and work on old school free style. It's plenty stable but I cannot stay upwind in light air with a small sail on it. I've been reading about the Rios and the Large is about the same size as my Free Formula but with a daggerboard. How do these 2 boards compare for stability both in light wind and when planing. I use my 5.5, 6.5, 8.0 and 10.0 Retros on the FF. Would the 10.0 work on the Rio too? I would likely replace my FF with the Rio if I got it cause we don't have lots of storage space. Thanks. Sam

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

22nd April 2008, 08:48 AM	#2
Roger Dream Team - School Guru Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,065	Hi Sam, I can only comment on the new Rio M, but if the Rio L is the same, only a bit longer and wider (and heavier @ 14.6 Kg) it will make a pretty good replacement for your '02/'03 Free Formula 198. Here's the specs on the FF 198 from the '02 website archive: Volume 198 liters Length 280 cm Width 90.0 cm Tail 66.3 cm Weight (DRAM) 10.1 kg Here's the specs. for the 2008 Rio L (Large): Volume: 215 liters Length: 290 cm Width: 85.0 cm Tail; 67.2 cm Weight: 14.6 So, the new Rio L is a little longer, a little narrower, and 4 Kg. heavier. I've sailed the '08 Rio M very powered up on a 6.6 m2 Sailworks NXslm race sail and it was very similar to what I remember the early Free Formulas (GO shape in a lighter DRAM construction) to be. I also sailed the new Rio M a whole lot ( 3 days/5-6 hours/day) this past weekend at the Hatteras/Frisco Woods Windfest in light to very light winds with a 5.0 m2 Sailworks Retro Ripper 3 rig. Had no problems staying upwind at all, even towing some "wayward" students back in from quite a ways offshore in pretty much offshore winds. I think you'll find the new Rio L to be just what you need, even with the heavier weight. The Rio's are all "Tufskin" construction, and very durable, hence the greater weight. Hope this helps, P.S. Since you are working on freestyle moves, I found the Rio M to be the easiest board I've ever sailed backwards. Frisco Woods being very shallow, I didn't want to drag the Rio out over all that shallow water. Turn board around, beachstart normally, and presto...... I could sail out "fin first" in about 8" (20.3 cm) of water. You are a bit heavier, but the Rio L is a bit floatier so I think you could sail in 8" of water as well.