Direction of the developments.

It's a very obvious trend among the 2007 formula boards that they are much wider in the tail - and in turn this demand a more powerful fin. Yes, Starboard has even indicated that when the rules for formula are to be discussed the next time, Starboard shall advocate that up to 75 cm fins are allowed.

The wider tail philosophy probably expresses a wish for better performance upwind and in early planing, and the trend is probably connected with the very narrow wind span (very low winds that is) in the competitions in certain areas (Germany, for instance) and the development of very large slalom boards (up to 80 cm width and capacity to carry 10 m+ sails) to be used in pretty light winds too.

An (italian?) guy called "expander", has published this very informative computer drawing of the plan shapes of some of the more recent formula boards. The one-foot-off figures are repeated below the drawing - and the tendency for more and more width in the tails is pretty obvious.

You seldom get anything for free in this world - and of course there's a price to pay for the wider tails. From the first big international competition, Calema Midwinters in Florida, Steve Bodner writes: "Towards the end of the day yesterday I saw the guys on the Starboard and F2 boards really struggling for control as the breeze came up. Even the Pro sailors were searching for a chicken strap to put on their boards." (http://www.stevebodner.blogspot.com/).