F-15 versus F-16 – SUP racer comparison
Here’s some pictures and a short video clip to show the similarities and differences between the S.I.C. F-15 and F-16. In the F series, the F-16 is a hollow molded carbon fiber 16′ SUP racer and the F-15 is a foam core hand shaped custom SUP racer. The F-16 is quite a bit lighter than the F-15 but I’m not sure on exact weights.
F-15:
Foam core and hand shaped
Sharper rails
Flat bottom with no or very little V
A bit wider – maybe only and inch or so
Wider nose with the wide point farther forward than the F-16
Less nose rocker
Heavier in weight
For me this is much more stable than the F-16
Ride feels more like a surfboard than the F-16
Seems to have more momentum to connect ocean swells than F-16
Accelerates slower than F-16
F-16:
Carbon fiber molded and hollow
Softer rails than F-15
V bottom
A bit narrower than F-15 – maybe only and inch or so
Narrower pulled in nose than the F-15
More nose rocker
Lighter in weight
For me this is much less stable than the F-15
Ride feels more floaty and corky than the F-15
Seems to have less momentum to connect ocean swells than F-15
Accelerates faster than F-15
I’ve been riding the F-15 a lot and really like it. I’ve also been playing around with moving the steering lever forward and adding weights to the front but more on that later.
(click thumbnail to launch video)
Love to see more photos showing the difference between the two boards. Perhaps Mark could talk about the F-15 how it is more stable than the F-16. I for one am interested after trying 15′ and 17′ racing boards and finding them more unstable than the C4 Vortice.
Great article, Hope to see more photos comparing the two boards. Perhaps Mark can chime in on how the F-15 is more stable. I’m interested after trying two race boards(15′ and 17′) which were less stable than a C4 Vortice and my ULI
He talks about it here: http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net/2008/09/21/mark-raaphorst-interview-f-14-f-16-and-new-sup-race-boards/