I have just come back from Cocos having had the chance to ride many diffrent boards back to back, so I thought I would give some impressions. The boards were ridden in flat to knee high chop in wind from 15 to 20 knots.
08 Star kombat 96 - This board was in the wood construction and is considerabley lighter in construction to previous years. It proved to be one of the most popular with other sailors on the trip.
At 75 kgs I found this to be a great board with a 5.8m sail to blast around. It is very easy to get going and rides very smoothly like a wave style board is expected to feel. For me it was very easy to throw around into jumps and what-not and showed no signs of sluggishness or lack of speed. I believe that as a 2nd board for a lighter person to use as an alrounder it will work very well. For the heavier sailor it will make an excellent wave board and high wind bump/jump board.
Other sailors used sails from 4.7 to 6.5m on it with ease.
Exocet cross 106 - This is one soft easy ride. The heel bumpers are like no other giving such a soft feel that it eliminates any banging through the legs and feels like riding on a cushion. To some this will give the feeling of going slow and the impression of not being very lively. However, when sailing against faster boards it was able to keep a very fast pace confirmed with the gps's. This board will suit the person wanting a confortable ride that gives speed without the feeling of being on the edge of control.
Without doubt The Cross 84, 94 and 106 are the best gybing cross over freerides I have ever sailed. The rails are so soft and round that the board bites but does not trip, catch or skip out. The turn is so secure regardless of the water state and very very smooth that it gives great confidence when turning.
This board will suit the sailor that wants to sail well powered but is more interested in carving around rather than back and forth speed runs.
Isonics 111, 87, Stype 104, 115 - Riding these boards after the first two you realise the difference in speed potential and sensation of speed. But despite expecting a harder, harsher ride, it is amazing how easy these boards are to sail. As a person who would rather ride wave boards and have raced in the days of straight line non-turning slalom boards, I love to sail these new slalom boards. They now gybe so well and sail with so much more comfort that as many people have now realised, trying to go fast is easy, fun and less stressful and you actually want to really push to the limits.
The s-types give a slightly softer ride than the Isonics with similar speeds and a more secure turn. The bigger s-types can be used with smaller sails than the Isonics due to the reduced widths but the Isonics can hold bigger sails with more comfort.
These are just a few of my thoughts for those interested.
Cheers
Paul
