My thoughts on the 2014 97 litre carbon sonic that i have used for the last few sessions in 10-20 knots with a 7m.
Its a damn site better board than the 2015 or 2016 90 litre isonic that I consider to be a accident waiting to happen
Its trim is so much easier to control - you just get your feet in the footstraps and rail the windward rail up a bit and presto it more or less stays in that position without further effort. Feels like the polar opposite in terms of control compared to the 2015 90 litre!
The 2015 /16 90 litre - the trim is exhausting. One second its on the windward rail then that rail drops to be now be sailing on the leeward rail.
Seriously hated that board like no other - in 25 plus knots I could not sail that thing - period.
The 97 2014 feels similar in size to the 90 litre despite being 2cm wider.
Get the feeling in strong winds I can push this board to similar peaks as the 87 sonic!
It feels like a small board - not like the 107 that feels like a medium board.
Compared to the Patrik 100 and the 2016 Fanatic 99 litre - it feels like a much more dedicated speed machine.
The sonic sits lower in the water and as such slaps the water more.
The 2016 Fanatic 99 litre that John let me try - is a bit longer and at 63cm wide is 2cm narrower.
It sits a little higher with less feel you are being pushed sideways if that makes sense.
Still my 97 litre does feel faster
^^^^
thought this was a thread about a new 80ltr kode..
I must have read it wrong.
Who would know, did think it was the bbq, who knew they had bbq's in j-pan
My thoughts on the 2014 97 litre carbon sonic that i have used for the last few sessions in 10-20 knots with a 7m.
Its a damn site better board than the 2015 or 2016 90 litre isonic that I consider to be a accident waiting to happen
Its trim is so much easier to control - you just get your feet in the footstraps and rail the windward rail up a bit and presto it more or less stays in that position without further effort. Feels like the polar opposite in terms of control compared to the 2015 90 litre!
The 2015 /16 90 litre - the trim is exhausting. One second its on the windward rail then that rail drops to be now be sailing on the leeward rail.
I dunno Pete it might just be you, because in terms of wind range, trim and comfort I reckon the isonic 90 is one of the best boards I have ever owned.. Goes alright in 25 knots and chop too.
I owned a i97 2014 and it was indeed a very fast board, but found it very harsh in chop. I have now a wood 2010 i94 and it's easier, but not as fast, so i would be interested to know about the 2016 (and 2017) i90 in relation to chop and compared to 2014 models.
Anyone seen any stats on the mini starboard raceboard that is 299 long and 70 wide. Volume etc. Will just fit in a long wheel base van.
The new 97 has been increased 2cm to now be 67cm wide.
In the coming years not sure there is any more room for making boards any wider for their volume.
Narrower boards will always produce more feel and generally perform better as the chop and swell increases.
A wider board will have a better performance in the calmer,lighter days
The Tabou Manta 106 is only 66cm wide - 1cm narrower with 9 litres more volume than the sonic 97.
Not convinced modern boards have improved much in the last 5 years. One possibly two percent faster max.
^^^^^^
and yet another fine attempt of a 'thread hijack' in the wee small hours of the morning when most normal folk are fast asleep..
I appreciate what Starboard is doing with the Ultrakode - lot's of options from a single wave board is a good thing. From a purely aesthetic point of view I think all those fin boxes look functional to the point of being ugly - detracts from the pure lines of a surf board. Minor quibble I guess as most of the time that bit of the board is in the water!
Looking forward to seeing some reviews.
Not quite the end of the world aesthetically, maybe a little complicated but from a functional sense it's working just fine.
Surprisingly the drag running spare boxes even unplugged in hi wind rough water wave mode is a lot less than expected.
(try it, see for yourself - no we weren’t convinced either .. until we had many people try it..)
The thing is so quick by waveboard comparisons anyway.. some could say we should slow it ??
Anyway feeling super fussy?? There is always the Pure Thruster Edition...
http://www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2017/products/boards/reflex-carbon
Don't go looking for that one at your local corner store though.
But for those in the know anything could be possible ;)
Someone suggested the very first two all new 2017 Reactor 112's in the world are on the way to AUS too..
(that's the new big boys toy proto'd WA/SA/VIC/Maui - but didn't quite make it on to Tommy Cohen..)
Enjoy...
Ha ha that's a brilliant response - cheers "STARBOARD"!
Again - I think the flexibility of the multiple fin setups is cool. And for the record I own a few Starboards...
I may be unusual in that I can spend long periods of time just admiring my boards in the garage.
Someone suggested the very first two all new 2017 Reactor 112's in the world are on the way to AUS too..
(that's the new big boys toy proto'd WA/SA/VIC/Maui - but didn't quite make it on to Tommy Cohen..)
Enjoy...
If it's really a "big boy's toy" and has not yet not been sailed by Tommy Cohen then it hasn't been properly tested!
the amount of spray he can throw on the older *board 120li Neuvo has to be seen to be understood.
*board ....
Ian ????
They wanted true 3rd world, moved HQ to the Gold Coast
Found these for the Futura and iSonic. Wood construction has been dropped for the iSonic:( and tail widths on the bigger isonics have increased a lot for light winds.
iSonics http://www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2017/products/boards/isonic
Futura
www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2017/products/boards/futura
I think both pages are BETA versions as I can't scroll to the right of the page to see the specs on the iS127/137. Updated soon I guess!!
I'm not fully sure about UltraCore Reflex Carbon Vs UltraCore Carbon. UC Reflex seems to to the ultimate for light weight/stiffness, and UC Carbon is to replace wood construction, I think!
I'm wondering if UC Carbon is as forgiving as wood construction and if it soaks up the bumps as well as wood?? I never really liked the older carbon iSonics for all day sailing, I found the wood construction much less physical/softer.
What is ultracore exactly?
The blurb says lighter than conventional PVC foam sandwich core,so how they made ?
Great that there lighter but I personally would like 100 grams + another 200 grams of more glass and resin, especially in the smaller sizes that are going to cop a beating in the conditions that they are likely to be used in.
From the website :
The iSonic Slalom and Race Slalom models come with the next iteration of our Drake UltraLight footstraps. Based on team rider feedback, the iSonic Speed models are delivered with our Drake Slick straps that are slightly less comfortable but more responsive and stiffer for more control in high winds and choppy conditions.
Yeah....sure whatever you say ! Seems the pro endorse them...
Let's see what the *board riders were using at Fuerte (high winds and choppy enough ?)
Gonzalo
Mateo
Tristan
Kurosh
Not sure how there can be so many fin options without a dedicated rocker line to match? And yet another fin box option> Jack of all trades master of none perhaps.
Tail size went quite a abit for the big boards:
127 55.1 ==> 59.5 +4.2cm
137 58.0 ==> 61.1 +3.1cm
It should not only the light wind performance but aso the business of the FIN manufacturers, because many people will have to change their fin size up for at least 1cm or 2cm
iS137 tail width: 58cm to 61.1cm is a pretty big jump.
I understand the need for more powerful tails to cover the light wind PWA events, but I did like the old iS130 85cm/58cm max width-tail width ratio, really easy down wind, and a useful light to medium wind range, 10k to 20k (for me). Maybe the new one is just pure light winds only.
Pleased to see the iS107 has retained its max width-tail width ratios.
Im still not sure if UC Carbon is as forgiving as wood construction!!!
I know its not 2017 - but from my few weeks of testing the 2014 carbon 97.....
Not that impressed with it with a 6.6 m and 38 G10 Volt.
My i87 with the 6.6 is faster for peak speed.
However,with a 7.0m and a Chris Lockwood 42 carbon fin - it gets planing way better. The big fin is the reason as I also tried this fin with the 6.6.
Upwind is amazing in comparison with the smaller fin. The bigger fin actually holds the board down better in the gusts too.
Downside,its harder on the legs.