Just had two short runs on this board. A real sweet slalom board. Did GPS runs with it today and using a 7m was 2 knots faster than my usual board I use with a 7m.
These runs were done in avalon bay with big rolling chop, and a bit of a messy sea state, can't wait to get it onto Hardie's run!!!
Will say more as I test it further
Have had another 2 runs, this time on estuary low chop water, but again in marginal conditions.
When planing it seems to sit higher in the water with a very solid feel to it. I imagine it is to do with the double concaves in the bottom, and bevels in the bottom front half of the board. The effect is to feel less of the chop, and I am now beiggining to understand why some manufacturuers have gone with double concaves, you do get a better ride. I thought at 117 litres and 63 cm wide it would feel like a big board, but it actually rides as a much smaller board. It takes a 7m comfortably, but I wouldn't use it with much bigger than a 7.5. Be interesting to sail it with a 6m and a 5 m.
If anyone in Metro WA wants a demo, just email me through here.
Hopefully will get to test it in powered up conditions soon.
Thanks for the review Hardie. Interesting to hear your comments. Hope you enjoy. How does she gybe mate?
Yes the enjoyment factor is huge. I've been riding mid 90's custom slalom boards for over 10 years now and to ride these modern boards is a revelation, everything seems easier and more comfortable.
As for gybing, well it turns easy, and haven't missed a gybe with it yet. But I Haven't had it in full planing conditions with a medium sized sail, which is where I want to test it for fully planing gybes. However, when you depress the rail it turns sweetly, and doesn't bounce around like my custom slaloms. But with a big 7m in underpowered conditions, is not a true test of it's potential.
So I reserve my final opinion, until I've had it out in decent winds. There's no way I would take out a board like the Fast X 117, in the winds I've been sailing in (Predominantly been in the 10 to 16 knot range), I'd always want to be on a bigger board in these conditions. I've been so desperate to try it, that I've tested it in it's lower range. I think it is a board for 12 to 25 knots. Not 10 to 16.
Finally had board out in 20knots, and it was sweet. I geuss what this board is really good at is allround sailing and gybing. Particularly this is reflected in my Alpha racing speed. If you have a look at today's Mandurrah Mobs 6/6/7 post, Elmo who was on an early 90's slalom board, killed me on speeds, and he gybed really well today, but on Alhpa racing I was faster, The Alpha 500, I was a good knot faster than him, so the rocker line, rails, and hull make this an allrounder, and fast gyber. So if you are looking for an all-rounder, fast gybing board, consider this baby!!!!!!!
Here's some photo's:
seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=4790
seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=4789
You might notice the footsraps are in-board for a more conservative all-round ride. Binny likes it in this position (The footstarps you dirty mongrels), she loves the board, and the bank balance will probably dented again, coz I THINK SHE WANTS ONE
I've had the footstraps in the outboard speed positions, and it feels more like a race machine, more on the edge and faster. Straps In-board and the board feels more sedate and more of an all rounder, did a few small chop hops in this position and felt balanced, whereas chop-hops in the outboard position feels out of balance and scarry!!.
This is one sweet allround slalom board.
Email/PM me here for a demo, I know it's wrong time of year, but this would be a perfect WA summer seabreeze board for the river or estuary's, safety bay, pinnaroo point etc. Looking fwd to testing it on the ocean as well see how it goes!!
