I'm looking for a board for lighter days in Port Phillip Bay, as the next size up from my SL66. I'm 80kgs and generally sail 12-20kts with a 7.5 or 6.4 on the SL66.
But I've decided I could do with some earlier planing on lighter days with the bigger sail. And if I'm on a roadtrip, I really want to limit myself to 3 boards:
- an 80lt Nuevo
- a 94lt Nuevo, and... This new board.
So I'm obviously familiar with the CA, which is a brilliant board for the bay and the v cuts through chop beautifully.
But in lighter winds, there's less chop and so I'm thinking a late model iSonic 117l might be a better alternative. It's also 5cms wider.
Does anybody have any experience sailing both and can describe the differences? I've never actually sailed a iSonic.
The best big board on the market is the Mistral 137. It's gradual rocker line, beveled rails, twin concaves, 82 width, 2.5m length make the most versatile sailboard I've ever sailed. I've used it with 8.5, 7.8, 7.0 and 6.4 m2 sails. All you do is reduce the fin size as you reduce sail size. It eats chop, is ridiculously easy to gybe and is capable of high speeds, I'm not particularly quick but I've done 34kts on my 137. Talk to Chris Lockwood about the merits of the board. It's his go to board in anything under 20kts.
I found the Naish Grand Prix 128 filled that spot very well, It handles 5.8 to 8.5m sails easily. Rated in the freerace category it accelerates faster than the JP Supersport, although feels slightly heavier in weight, at 245 long and 76 wide its not too big to manage, plus its one of the few boards that rates 10 out of 10 for sailing in the chop. It came with a 44cm fin however I'm at home on the Vector Rocket 38cm, there's a great review here: boardtests.com/2011/08/naish-grand-prix-110-and-128-test-2010-and-2011/
Maybe also worth looking at a patrik slalom board. With your weight perhaps the 115l might be a good choice. I sail my with a 6.6 up to 8.5. They jiebe super easy and they are more forgiving than the iSonics.
Select to expand quoteTristanF said..
I'm looking for a board for lighter days in Port Phillip Bay, as the next size up from my SL66. I'm 80kgs and generally sail 12-20kts with a 7.5 or 6.4 on the SL66.
But I've decided I could do with some earlier planing on lighter days with the bigger sail. And if I'm on a roadtrip, I really want to limit myself to 3 boards:
- an 80lt Nuevo
- a 94lt Nuevo, and... This new board.
So I'm obviously familiar with the CA, which is a brilliant board for the bay and the v cuts through chop beautifully.
But in lighter winds, there's less chop and so I'm thinking a late model iSonic 117l might be a better alternative. It's also 5cms wider.
Does anybody have any experience sailing both and can describe the differences? I've never actually sailed a iSonic.
Hi Tristan what model 117 are you looking at. is it the 80 or 75wide one. at your weight 80kg and your only using a 7.5 as your biggest sail id look at the IS110(75wide) or 107.
Both are great boards, if ya after a board for light winds the 110 is the one
.
