2009 iSonics - My Thoughts So Far

Earlier this year, I received my new iSonic boards – iS122, iS101, iS86, iSW49 + iSW44.

In the last couple of months I haven’t had as much time on the water as I would have liked, but I have still had a few chances to sail all but one of them. I have been using my 2008 KA Koncepts on these boards with C3 Venom fins predominantly, but also with the odd KA symmetrical, and Tectonics Falcon and Goldwing thrown in. I hover around 95kg, am 6’2” and mainly sail on flat to extremely flat water. So flat sometimes, that it makes Sandy Point look like Hookipa.

iS122
This board replaces my Exocet WS73, and has been all that I hoped for and more. I need a board that would get me going in around 10 knots with my 7.5 Koncept, and C3 Venom 42cm. It does. Not only does it get planing, but once planing, it accelerates well, and has a very comfortable ride. It gybes exceptionally well for a board that is 75cm wide and rockets upwind, downwind and across the wind with ease. I have an 8.5 Koncept coming from the 2009 range, and can’t wait to try it on this board and fin combo. The footstraps are super comfortable, and the whole package just feels great. I noticed Dave Morehead’s 300+km effort last weekend on his 2009 iS122 and thought ‘wow’ on an iS122? But then when I really thought about it, I can see how right this board would be for this kind of long distance comfort sailing. It truly is a remarkable board. I can recommend this board to anyone looking for a light – medium wind fast slalom board or cruiser. It’s up to you how fast you want it to go, and it will do it all with the utmost comfort. I’m looking forward to the lighter summer sea breezes on this board with both 7.5m and 8.5m Koncepts – should be great fun.

iS101
I chose the iS101 to replace my Exocet WS67. This is the board that is the ever reliable ride. It will float me but still crank out a 35+knot peak, possibly more. I can cruise on it all day with 6.6m and 7.5m sails with my C3 Venom 34cm with comfort and speed, yet when the wind picks up, or the water flattens out, it will point off the wind with confidence and crank. The nose rides low, but you can still race over the back of the chop happily, and once again it gybes with ease. I will use this board from 18 knots to 25 knots with 7.5m and 6.6m sails. I haven’t had a huge amount of time on this board, but the rides I have had, show me the qualities that this board has. I look forward to a solid day of 18-23 knots on this board with a 6.6m and C3 Venom 34cm.

iS86
Rocket ship! This replaces my Exocet WS62 and is all and more than I thought. It will take 6.6m down to my 5.0m. With my weight, I can get this board going in around18 knots (6.6m) and I’m immediately powered. With a C3 Venom 30cm it absoultely cranks. My first day sailing this at the Goolwa Alpha Channel in chop (bank not yet exposed) and not used to the board, it managed a 41.6 knot 2 sec peak. I was stoked. It is the longest of all the boards I’ve got, and it rides beautifully. This extra length make it gybe like it’s on rails. You can feel the board steer you around the corner from the front third of the rail. It bites, and grips, then as you lean the board over it just rips you around the bend – awesome. Can I also say that it is fantastic in the air? Heading back up wind at the Alpha Channel, it can get a bit lumpy, but you’re still going fast. If you launch off one of these ramps the board just floats with great control – but obviously is more suited to staying on the water, and that is where the manufacturer would prefer that you keep it. On those days that are not ideal for the speed boards, but still farking windy, this is the board to be on. It has control and comfort, but also has the ability to crank out 40+ knot runs in less than ideal conditions. A keeper.

iSW49
This board replaces my Exocet Warp Speed. I loved my Warp Speed. I really did. I wasn’t really sure how I’d go on a ‘new speed board’. Would I like it? Would it be fast? Would I be able to sail it like a high wind slalom board as I could the Exocet? My first day out on this board very quickly answered these questions. My posting from that session on GPS Speedsurfing went like this: “Awesome session today at the Goolwa Alpha Channel. First time out my new Starboard iSW49 speed board. Rigged the Koncept 5.0m, and used the trusty KA/Lockwood 23cm sym fin. The first run was a 40, next one a 41.1, next one a 42.2, next one a 43.7, next one a 45+……The most amazing thing for me, was that I have also got the iSW44, and I didn't even use this board as the wind was quite square, and was up and down a bit. So the 'big board' did just fine. Wind was around 25 - 40 knots and the water was superbly flat. Great session.” A PB on my first outing – amazing. This board is very comfortable and just too damn easy to go fast on. Starboard also make a larger version, the iSW53 – this would be great for the marginal wind speed sailor. For my weight, the iSW49 takes my weight and that of the 6.6m Koncept and will happily cruise all day. It reaches well, is great upwind and will hold speed through the lulls - and then when the times comes to point it off the wind, it just takes your breath away. It is a standout speed board, and for the record, I have so far achieved a 45.06 knot 2sec doppler peak on this board. I just know it will do more.

iSW44
This is the board I haven’t used yet, still waiting for the day. I just look at it and wonder...... 47? 48? More? Who knows?

I just felt I wanted to let others know how these boards have performed, and the performance I have had from them in sometimes average and sometimes epic conditions. The problem with five boards, is which one to choose? (I know that’s not really a ‘problem’), but I do sometimes find myself fitting fins and uni’s to at least three boards to try them all out with a given sail size. Yes, there is a big overlay between the boards, but this allows me to stay on a particular board longer. I generally won’t change down a board until control becomes a real issue. These boards are designed so well that sometimes I find myself still out there in very solid wind, but not fighting for control. I often end up changing down just because I want to ride one of the other boards.

If you are after a new slalom board, or have considered a speed board, then you honestly cannot go past the 2009 Starboard iSonic range. Great boards, great value (2 fins with some of them) and great re-sale. The only reason you would sell would be to get on one of the 2010 models.

Yes, I am sponsored by Starboard.......and they make really hot boards!

Hi Chris yes very nice review .
As you know Ive also changed to Staboard after having the same boards
as you last year and I havnt looked back.
My speeds have improved since changing, not hard to see that lately pb's at Sandy Point, Pb's back at my local spot.

Must say though im Jealous 5 boards wow

cheers Vando

Hi Vando. You make an excellent point. I think we all get to a stage with our sailing that we feel that we don't really progress or improve regardless of the gear changes we make. With GPS technology, we can acurately measure any improvements. You commented how your speeds have improved since switching to Starboard, and that is true for me too. On my WS73 with a 7.5m sail I would top out at around 30 knots whilst Tim Hemer here in SA would just wave goodbye to me as he pulled away into the low 30's. I haven't had the chance to line him up again, but I have been able to pull 32's and 33's now on the 7.5m with the iS122 and 42cm Venom in less than ideal conditions. I guess the next time we are sailing together I will have the confidence to give him another drag race - head's up Tim! A few other local sailors are getting themselves bigger boards and sails for this summer, so the fun will be on. Actually, I have measurable improvements in speed on the iS122, iS86 + iSW49. It's like at school when you got new pair of running shoes and your thought you ran faster. Well with these new boards, you actually DO sail faster. It's nice to see that you can make selections in this sport that will give you such noticeable improvements.

Nebs, the C3's are awesome. You'll note their website claims that there are two sailing modes - low speed and high speed. This is very true. They DO NOT spin out at either speed. I can't believe the steps I am taking to protect the fins, but I see these fins as an investment, and they are worth looking after. Even when fully lit up, they don't lift or become uncontrollable in any way. They are truly fantastic.

Thanks for the report Chris, the Starboard Futuras are also getting plenty of good reviews. The pb's on the smaller boards are pretty hard to argue. I can imagine that at >40 knots or close to a pb (pb in my case) the subtleties of ergonomics, dynamic stability, board graphics - (and for the more superstitious the colour of the jocks) will make quite a few knots difference.

Your report on the IS122 tests a theory I've got though Chris.

On a 75 cm board in moderate conditions I'd think a good sailor could, if need be, tolerate so so ergonomics, compensate for a bit of quirky handling and take any modern seventy something slalom board out to a very similar top speed? 2 to 3 knots is 120 to 180 metres behind over a nautical mile.

That sort of kit is a number one choice for Canberra's windy days - yes 30 knots is about it.

Ha ha all three wrong...

Fair assumption to make though... just an alround great bloke, and phenomenal sailor!!! i dream of going the speeds he does lol. Maybe one day in the future.

Cheers
Bubs

Hey Chris

I have the 09 122 as well, and ride it with a 8.4. I have done 31.8 with this combo. Quite often get in the 29's on a beam reach, so for a big board it really flies. Next year are going for the 133/9.5, as my local winds are very light.

I have a 08 I86 and this is the best board I have sailed. It just makes going fast easy!

Cant wait to see what SB have in store for next year.

or sail mooloolaba

Chris (and the rest with the iSonic)

Considering buying the 101 and would like to know what u guys recon would be the biggest sail to sail it with. On SB's HP they recommend 8.5. What anyone have any thoughts on this?

Cheers
H.C.