WA
1460 posts
The Silver Bulet 72 is a classic and unique board.
My 72 goes nicely with on of Neils 44 cm fins - I use that for my 8.6 and it balances beautifully.
I go down to a 38 for the 7.8. I am 95kg. I use the 44cm 90% of the time.
The Silver Bullet 72 is incredible in open ocean long rolling chop / swell. It does give away a touch of speed ,in less powered conditions, in flat water / short chop - due to its rocker. But in open ocean conditions the curves match and you become invincible.
I find on the 72 the mast base needs to go slightly forward of centre to balance/ trim the board. Anything back of centre and i cant plane out of gybes.
I also set my front straps all the way forward. My trim set up is about flat trim and control.
Some people set things back a bit for "less wetted area / less drag" - and i suspect this may work for lighter riders. but i personally find that if everything is flat / nuetral on the water then the control and confidence allow me to push hard and get more speed.Because it does have a bit of rocker and curve -
when gybing,
as well as pressing down with your back foot to carve the inside rail (as you would in any carve gybe) -
try also consciously lifting with your front foot (using the footstrap) to bring the outside rail up.
Something magical happens and the board finds a curve that lets you do a beautiful carving gybe that almost feels like the board accelerates through the turn- so you can come out with speed, do a rig flip and sail away on the plane. For all you 80s / 90s freestyler / freeriding crew - This front foot lift also lets you do carving 360s (on a 4 cam 8.6) Its a small thing that makes a huge difference!
