apart from the obvious, mikes lab, which is rarer then golden goose sh!t.
what boards are people getting on???
theres a few around, whats the go and what has been working for crew??
I'd have to say in Australia as we all really have not had a chance to get together to race this will be a very open topic, there are a group of us riding on lake Macquarie and we have all got 2011 and 2012 north boards and seem to be going ok. But that's only against other north boards. I think at the aus level for now it's all about just getting on any 70cm wide board and learning how to ride. Give it 2 years then the board will make a difference. Some are easier than others, just upgraded from the 2011 north to the 2012 north and apparently down wind the 2012 is alot more manageable. I hope anyways. I'm keen to try others to test and develop riding when we are all on a level playing field.
Have a look at the CF6. Matt from Ozone is on one and has a Mike's Lab as well and finds the CF6 faster and easier to ride than a ML! One to add to the mix. Also I get a ML this week if you want to have a look at it.
I am awaiting delivery of a Airush Manaro V4.
I already have the V1 (great for a reach but not to great up wind)
I have had a bit of a go on the Sector 60 OD which i found nice and easy to ride. and then for the last week or so I have had the monaro V3 which is a pig to ride(until i get the V4 which i should have this week). and regularly has me swimming.
I believe I will have to relearn how to ride with the 3 Fin V4 but I can't wait. Just wish I had the money to go to sail Melbourne.
Woop woop
Picked up my new Airush Monaro V4 last night. Looks sweet and fast look out Perth a new boy is on his way.
Big thanks to Damo at Airborne
I also have my new Monaro V4 and am ready for some serious racing. I reckon it goes as fast as it looks! 
I'm on an Alex Aguera CR69. Was on a Cab 59 quad. The AA is sweet. Easier to ride, gets me going (100kg in birthday suit) in 8-12 with a 13xbow. running 41.5 sides and 39.5 rear.
Gybing in particular is a breeze on the 69 even is ocean swell. Im still hit or miss tacking in light wind, but it is easier on the 69. . . because of the tri and extra volume
Highly recommend coughing up the coin to go straight to a 69 instead of stuffing around on an old quad.
judging by what ive read elsewhere and the general vibe.
if you want to be competitive then you have to ride the new 3fin.
if your just out to "Freerace" then you might as well get something thats easier to ride.
be good to see the AA on the water, Alex is the man.
I was doing a bit of shopping round today, was told that this place had some NJS boards coming at $1650. I can only assume that's the CF6 as it's the only listed model on the site below.http://www.njsdesigns.org/race-boards.html
IF that includes fins then it's a ripper of a price point compared to $3500 for Mike's Lab. There was no mention of fins being extra, but the shop had just put in first initial order, that morning so early days for them too.
Personally I'm *still* waiting on delivery of a 2011 Cabrina Race 183, not hugely different to their 2012, 4 fin only, but half the price.
kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6306
I'll do a season on that before considering an upgrade.
Hey kite boy Dave, I'd assume the $1650 will only include straps. Hardly think they would include 5 or 6 straps and 3 fins for $150. If so it is as you said a bargain. But highly doubt it. And looking into fins the cheapest I've seen are around $180 each. Or say proven fins like rista's for $650-750
Will be a solid board to get out and learn on but think being only 58 wide it will struggle against the 70's for upwind power. Not sure if te 2011 board come with the 3 or 4 fun option but hope for ease of use for you it has te 3 fin setup.
rode the north LTD this arvo.
fins and wind were far from optimum but it seemed pretty managable.
cant wait for some wind
bit more on the NJS Design CF 2013..
www.intheloopkiteboarding.com/kite-race-board-njs
That CF2013 is a sweet looking bit of kit for sure, looks fast in the vid, but you can't tell from that.
I'm not sure I want to demo one, then I'd just want one 
Could be like comparing a commodore to a Porsche though! The weight won't be the only factor. And the mikes labs have results, hopefully these other boards will too but at this stage the only write up I have seen (not saying I have seen them all) is from nils himself comparing to the other boards, seems to be alot of comparing to the north and the mikes lab, to me this seems like people are seeing them as the two benchmarks to pass to be a fast board. Nothing against these boards if they can come in and be cheap and fast then awesome, will entice alot of people to get them and into kite racing, but let's see some unbiased good riders on it to get a good comparison. Really if they were that much better the top guys would be on them already.
I think at our level of riding you need to take into account two things the board and the fins both..
Have to say I have riden the Monaro V4 and though it was definitely a very quick board straps were a long way back over the rear fin, the board got up out of the water being so out of the water was harder to manage then some others, but this could also have to do with loose straps at time of demo and also the fin set up..
I had a spin on last years Alex board, and it was very easy to manage, didn't feel as fast and out of the water as either the Monaro or the North, but with it's ease of ride I thought it would be a very good board for going fast because can out the foot down easy..
The North LTD is what I currently ride and with the north fins sat right up on top of the water and went, off the breeze was good but at high speeds could be a little wild.
I got a set 2x Mealine Fins for the front with some cant and amazed at how much different the board feels. The minute I got on it it slide through the water faster and easier, allowing a greater speed with less efffort and off the breeze even more well balanced downwind..
So guys it's not just the Boards Fins and strap placement also make a massive difference to your control and your speed..
The guy going the fastest will be the most comfortable on his gear and the one not falling off.
One fall will out you a mile behind.
Trust the guy who has run into the start bouy in our races at home already.
I rode the NORTH LTD for the first time over the weekend.
I just had a set of ****ty widsurf fins in. (just to get me on the water) and its did get a bit wild.
No can't. if the board was dead flat it was ok, with some chop and air it was skecthy to say the least.
Im hanging for some decent fins.
Strap placement is definitely a big factor too.
will be changing everything for next time.
Unfortunately the Trend seems to be for the boards to be getting more and more expensive.
For a good compromise the V4 seems a quick affordable board.
The Mikes Lab and others are so expensive, by buying them we are saying it is ok to be ripped off
There are some production boards placing well in international level races.
Get one that feels comfy and rides fast for you.
I find the LTD pretty easy to ride and for $1899ish its not bad
