Looking for advise...
Im currently riding a JP Slalom 112 and have a Simmer SCR quiver 6,4->8.4. Im very satisfied with this setup, but I would like to have something for light->medium winds (12/14-22knots). Currently at 89kg/196lbs (without wetsuit :-) )
What are your opinion volume wise? Any expericence of LW brands/boards?
140l should do it, all out performance Starboard Ultrasonic, not a lot of fun in the windier end of that range, at about 18-20 knots in choppy water you really need to be on your game but at 10-16 knots it a great board.
would also add that your 8.4 is probably the smallest sail you want to put on it.
some people (like myself) are using older raceboards
in my case Mistral Equipe 2 XR with 8.x sails (8.0, 8.4 and 8.5)
also have a JP SLW92 which i use with 10.0 and 8.x sails
however, with the 10.0 sail I prefer steady winds (ha ha in light winds)
it is a real pain to uphaul and waterstart - hmmm
you are a little lighter than I and may get away with a smaller kit
or FLY with the same
as you may know - people are now turning to foiling in the light winds ...
if you already have an 8.4 next step would be to go to a 9.5/ 10.0 sail. For that size you could also consider a superlight board or a formula. I reviewed the RRD lightwind here:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/RRD-X-File-light-wind-v1-2014
Thanks for your input. Here are som comments
@ tryharder - Yup, I have been looking at Ultrasonic but also iSonic 137 to get a more slalom feel in medium winds.
@ joe windsurf - :-) I actually have an old course racer, Klepper 370 anno 1998 but no fotstraps (no spares) and some delimination areas. I was looking at Starboard Phantom 295 but Im a little bit skeptical. I think/believe that it would be to chunky. A larger slalom board or a LW slalom board would fit better?
@powersloshin - Yes I will upgrade the quiver with a 9,5/10 sail asap. How would you define the differences between a larger slalom board and a pure LW slalom? (reading your review now, thanks)
HEY Duderz ..i just purchased a 140 litre freerace patrik .,should of done it a long time ago .i looked for a light weight carbon board
for early planing .
and one that was rated for my biggest sail ,which will be a 9,5 shortly .
i did struggle for sometime on my 130 litre ,which wasn't quite enough foam for my weight 98 kgs .
hope this helped.enjoy the search .
i have tried the iSonic 117W, which was beyond my skills and weight
then went to AHD SL2 132 which was better, but still too much for me
now trying the AHD SL1 140 which is a little longer and just a few more liters
so far this one has worked out best for me - as an average joe windsurfer with 105 kilos
was also looking at a SB Futura 144, but it was too $$ and would not budge on price
am still trying to get used to the very light board(s) - when i waterstart i tend to push the board
need to go both feet - or start pulling board under more with the back foot
so far been using the 8.5 in 20-40 kph winds, but supposed to be able to take larger sails
local ripper had one before and liked it with the larger sails ...
the AHD SL2 132 is supposed to be able to take larger sails too
for me that board seemed to be missing liters and nose went down too easily - for me ...
At 12kts I doubt planing will happen .15 yes. You don't say a budget, new used.
my feeling is the Freeride side, or free race , or even a formula if used. New many options.
size I say 135-140, lean towards the light untra type weight, if able.
the top scale of kts you quote , wont you be on the JP ?
Tardy had a thread recently looking for a similar board here on SB. Many options mentioned even a few vids. Im 105kg use a 149litre AHD FreeDiamond. Use 9.5 Lion. It planes easily 12-15kts.
Interestingly my Starboard Phantom 380 using same 9.5 will perform equally well. Planes at about 10kts.(better thru lulls) It doesnt feel as active a ride obviously. But RB will give you max time on water.
Once more, thanks for your replies.
@Joe windsurf - I try to stick to the old rule, weight +20, to ensure enough volume under my feet. I have and older 88L slalom board, but I can count the times I have used for the last ten years in one hand. +30kts. If you going to pull the rig instead of water start, and a wetsuit. then weight +30, then its all about the technique. Bigger camsails are a tough to handle in water ;-)
@forceten - Agree, 12 knots feel almost impossible. +18kts=JP. :-)
I have tried free ride boards before and the are "nice", but when Im planning its all about speed. :-)
Budget, well Im not on a shoestring budget, but would never spend my money on a new board, Im not that eager to have the latest. I have seen guys with 3 year old sails and board to perform well in races.
@olskool - I just started to snoop around here, but I think I found the thread that you mentioned. This question was similar to mine (maybe should have used the search function better). Your profile popped up in a regrip thread. How did that go? I have just stripped my race boom and looking for options to build a nice hump, then I will cover it with rubberized cork. Will see how that turns out. I must regrip my other boom, but I will wait for the result.
I will try to get a demo of a LW board and take it from there. Hopefully some discounts starts soon when the 2019 boards are arriving. Most of the 2018 LW slalom are foil ready. Then Im prepared for the future? :-)
If that doesn't feel right or match my budget, next step would probably be a tryout between different slalom boards in the 140L range.
As for the SB Phantom, its a safe bet. Not as lively or versatile as slalom board, but that would be my absolute last resort if can't decide.
Select to expand quotepowersloshin said..
if you already have an 8.4 next step would be to go to a 9.5/ 10.0 sail. For that size you could also consider a superlight board or a formula. I reviewed the RRD lightwind here:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/RRD-X-File-light-wind-v1-2014
There might be a couple of SLW boards on the buy & sells.
UltraSonic goes great with 8.2, 7.7 twin cam. Im getting 28knts with the 58 fin. ill find a 50 fin and should be a lot better in the higher winds. I am super impressed with the US (2017) although not foil ready (only downer)
Thanks form the further info. I mthink any number of used boards will work. The Formula would not be my first pick, but I HAD a really olde 155, a 117 ProKids Starboard, and currently a wonderful 2002 Hypersonic , each I really like/liked.
Since the need is for speed, pure speed, its out of my area of non expertise .
I go from a 117 MOO FSW to a Tabou Rocket 135, the Tabou works my large 6.5 /7.0 sails wonderful.
Jump from 137 to your current board is about perfect, ultrasonic to current board is a bit big of a gap, I feel a good step down from ultra is about 75-78w, stepping from ultra to my 71w isonic 107 is too big a gap.
Ultra vs 137... i have 2013 ultra & step down to 2017 isonic 127. The ultra is very similar feel to the isonic of same age (feels like a bigger 117w). Ultra due to fin size can be a bit better at upwind/downwind yet feels slightly easier than the isonics. The isonics are definitely faster & handle chop better. The 137 would be fine for 12 knots, the ultra use earlier than that. The ultra definitely makes it easier to use big heavy sails (9.5m race), my 127 (134L actual) is ok with 9.5/9.7 but ultra just makes it more comfortable with room for error, I personally dont use smaller than 8.6 on ultra & use big fins, the 85w slaloms ive had are still nice with 7.8, 7-7.8 would be your step down point to the jp?
So for wind you describe (12+ knots), sail size & gap between boards 85w slalom be perfect.
