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Help with Naish SUP Javelin Choice, appreciated!

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Created by Carvers > 9 months ago, 14 Apr 2015
Carvers
132 posts
14 Apr 2015 8:23AM
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Okay I am into my first Naish hardboard after having paddled on a inflatable (Red Paddle Race) for 2 years.

I am hesitating between a new Naish Javelin 14 (2015) LE X26 or the in weight heavier X26 GX (also 2015).

I can also buy a 2015 Javelin LE X26 with some repairs (same price as a new GX) .

I will use the board mainly on inland rivers, lakes. I am a tourer, sometimes I will race, occassionaly.

My length is 180cm and 84 kgs. Board feel is okay, I am used to small windsurfsinkerboards of about 120 litres.


Some questions about the boards: what's the difference in speed and handling and is it worth the money to buy the faster LE

above the GX if a talk about a new board in purpose of what I am doing with the board as mentioned before?


Should I buy the repaired LE?


Is the LE so fragile comparing to the GX?


Thanks in advance, Hans.

t457118
124 posts
14 Apr 2015 9:03AM
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Hans, your length is impressive, I am humbled in your presence.

JB
NSW, 2232 posts
Site Sponsor
14 Apr 2015 12:16PM
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If you are not competitive racing, I'd suggest the GX. the weight is still very good and durability is slightly better than the LE. I'd only push for the LE if weight advantage is crucial or racing is your main priority (or if you have the $$ to spend).

Hope this helps.

Ride safe,

JB

DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
14 Apr 2015 12:30PM
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I would recommend the GX over the LE.. [for a number of reasons]..

I also recommend the 28'' width over the 26''.. [even at your weight]..

The LE boards are more fragile than the GX boards.. [the GX boards are still very light]..

btw.. Being used to small windsurfers [sinkers] has nothing to do with it..

IMO.. I don't think it's worth paying the extra for the [not necessarily any faster] LE board..


Carvers
132 posts
14 Apr 2015 1:52PM
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Thanks a lot for the feedback. @DavidJohn: the 28GX over the 26GX, is the 26GX to tippy? (I will not downwind that much, may be once a year or not at all)

Area10
1508 posts
14 Apr 2015 7:31PM
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I'd definitely get the GX rather than the LE. I can't really see any reason to buy an LE, unless maybe you are a pro (in which case you'd be getting it cheap anyway).

I'm more similar in weight to you than DJ and I found the 14x28 a boat. It feels bigger than most 28" wide boards do, and sits quite high in the water.

So, if you are a big guy or want stability for DWing, or are only interested in touring or carrying loads it could be good, but in flat water at your weight I think the extra ease of paddling a 26 would be very useful, assuming your balance is respectable, you are moderately fit, and you don't want to snooze-cruise all the time.

So it depends what kind of paddler you are. DJ does like a snooze-cruise, he's a big guy, and he downwinds. So the 28 makes good sense for him. I'm smaller than he is and like to try maintain a good pace on at least 50% of my flat water outings, so a 26 would make more sense for me. Horses for courses, I guess.

DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
14 Apr 2015 9:40PM
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Select to expand quote
Carvers said..
Thanks a lot for the feedback. @DavidJohn: the 28GX over the 26GX, is the 26GX to tippy? (I will not downwind that much, may be once a year or not at all)


DW'ing has nothing to do with my opinion here.. No doubt you'll be fine on the 26 in glassy water and calm conditions.. But throw in a bit of chop or a boat wake and I'm sure you will find the 26 a bit tippy.. Paddling a narrower board is not a way of showing how good you are.. (like windsurfers and sailing sinkers).. Even in glassy water I'd rather paddle the 28 over the 26.. You can reach better and paddle harder without any concerns of tipping or falling.. even wobbling.. The difference in stability between these two boards is.. HUGE.. and the difference in speed is.. tiny.. In any kind of chop you will be constantly working.. Not thinking about paddling technique but just trying to stay on.. It's far better to sacrifice that tiny amount of extra speed and gain a whole lotta fun..So.. Unless your main priority is racing.. and being those few inches ahead after a few hundred meters.. get the wider board.. btw.. IMO 28 is still not wide.. In fact I concider it still pretty narrow.. It's just not Lenny narrow like the 26.. I'm sure there's plenty of others out there that don't agree with me and will recomend the narrow and lighter board.. So you just need to listen to everyone's opinions and decide for yourself..

Carvers
132 posts
15 Apr 2015 1:44AM
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Thanks a lot for the opinions. I can demo an LE 14 X26 2015 to see how I can handle the width. I definately go for the GX. The LE's are by the way not to get here anymore in Europe. Stock is all gone already. Just in week 27 they come in.

windara
QLD, 256 posts
16 Apr 2015 5:51AM
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Hi Carvers, Im just an average joe paddler and I demoed all the different sizes and constructions in the 2015 Jav and Im really glad I went for the 14 LE x 26. Im 6'1 x 92 kilo and have paddled it in glass rivers to howling side shore open ocean and in through and out surf breaks. Its stable and I think the weight makes a lot of difference. Its got more feel under your feet which I prefer. Demo is the key :)

TJR
155 posts
28 Apr 2015 6:45AM
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Hi, I'm 89kg (but only 5'6) and not the most stable of people and I ride the 14 x 26 and the 12'6 x 26 on the ocean in all sorts of conditions and find them very stable. I leant my 14 to a friend recently who weighs in at over 110kg and he managed not to fall off (it was flat calm). The LE is very fragile so unless you need to save that tiny bit of weight I would go with the GX

justin8
2 posts
28 Apr 2015 2:30PM
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I just picked up a 14 x 26 LE and find it really stable (I'm 6'3" and 95kgs) compared to my Fanatic Falcon (14 x 26.5).

It's ridiculously light, so unless you're competing, I don't think the extra weight of the GX would make much difference. But if you have the $$$ to spend, I'd get the LE.

BDP
QLD, 2 posts
1 Nov 2015 8:33PM
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Hey Carvers,

Which board did you end up going with, and how has it been?

Carvers
132 posts
2 Nov 2015 1:15PM
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Thx for asking. Went another way, because Naish was hard to get than. I went for a Aqua Inc. Supersonic 14 x 24. Still has a weak for Naish. Stay for the Supersonic for a while.



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"Help with Naish SUP Javelin Choice, appreciated!" started by Carvers