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Starboard iSonics 2015

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Created by sausage > 9 months ago, 16 Aug 2014
Haggar
QLD, 1664 posts
24 Dec 2014 5:02PM
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Hey all is there any more feedback on the isonic 2015 models ? I'm seriously thinking of getting a few isonics again for flat water and GPS sailing. I'm thinking from 2014 onwards and for my 70 kg weight for light to moderate winds a 107 for sail sizes 6.8 to 7.8. Not sure about moderate to high winds, would the 80 litre be too much of a gap for sail sizes 5 to 6.2 ? Otherwise.maybe the 87. Appreciate advice from sailors around my weight range thanks.

SeanAUS120
QLD, 721 posts
29 Jan 2015 12:09PM
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shinobi said..
Just pickend up my new 130 iSonic, looking nice!
Some tweaks here and there, most noticeable changes in the rail and the area behind the fin got smaller again.











This looks familiar...

markokav
5 posts
29 Jan 2015 10:56PM
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Anyone has the 2015 97 ?

what sail and fin size do you usually use?

any reviews and trim suggestions?

Thanks, Marko

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1612 posts
Site Sponsor
1 Feb 2015 8:19PM
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Don't get me wrong Sean as I sell both brands and have a little 107 I Sonic all ready to go but how do those tails look similair.
The JP looks like a winger squashed pin that connects to the water and the Starby is way off that.
Colours do look similar though.
Have you used the new 130 yet? Have a guy keen to get some goss on it for the lighter stuff.

mkseven
QLD, 2309 posts
1 Feb 2015 8:19PM
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Yeah nothing like it, more like previous is80/87/atomiq etc plus didn't starboard copy rrd? Who cares provided it gives us best performance.

I have a 2015 130 carbon, very quick onto plane and holds that well, fast for it's size. A bit more technical than older isonics, find it doesn't gybe as easy as my 2013 117(w). The back strap position annoys me, I get it for ultimate performance but in and out of straps in a place where there is chop even in light winds you need to concentrate (previous isonic much better in this regard). In fact from all those people with big feet... putting strap on the rail is just stupid.

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1612 posts
Site Sponsor
1 Feb 2015 10:11PM
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Cheers for the feedback mk.

SeanAUS120
QLD, 721 posts
2 Feb 2015 9:52PM
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WINDSURFnSNOW said...
Don't get me wrong Sean as I sell both brands and have a little 107 I Sonic all ready to go but how do those tails look similair.


I didn't mean similar tail shapes I just meant the idea of the reduced tail areas with the 'wings' over the back foot area. Everyone is going this way and I'm glad... It's simply the best thing that's happened in slalom board design in recent years! We get such an increased wind range out of the boards now... Much bigger tail widths under your feet to push against but much smaller tail widths on the water to keep control at high speeds and gives you a ton more comfort and tighter turns in the gybes. You really notice it if you step back on to a board from 2 seasons ago without it.

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1612 posts
Site Sponsor
3 Feb 2015 11:02AM
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Cheers Sean,

Catch you soon.

Sam.

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
3 Feb 2015 7:45PM
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I tested a 2011 97 litre carbon for a few hours.

Compared to the 2015 107 carbon that Steve from Windforce kindly let me borrow,i felt the newer model lifted much higher out the water.

The old 2011 models,i felt they sat way too low in the water to be comfortable in choppy water.

Also with the 2015 the tail felt for me much narrower.

MattFox107
5 posts
14 Mar 2015 6:10AM
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Took the isonic 120 carbon for a premiere ride last Sunday here in Sweden.
Sunny, 12 degrees celcius and 4 degrees Celcius in the water.

Had the isonic 117 carbon 2011 until 2013 and last year and a Fanatic falcon 132.

Wind strength were gusty 10 to 23 knots and moderate to small chop.

Compared to the 2011 117 this years model felt very different. It promotes a more upright stance and easier to put a 50/50 weight on your feets.
It feels like the 120 transfers the gusts into more speed than the 117.


My max average speed 5x10 sek with the 117 was 28.92 knots and with the 120, 30.55 knots.
Max 2 sec with isonic 117 , 31.32 knots and with the Isonic 120, 33.05 knots.
This is from my first session with the 120.

So there is indeed some improvements in design from 2011 to 2015.


Compared to the fanatic falcon 132 i find the 120 easier to trim.
the falcon 132 was a nice ride but more sensitive to mastfoot position and fins.
The isonic is in a different league for me.
I used Mauisails TRX 7.7 and Hurricane speed slalom 44 m-

the isonic one twenty rocks !

Matt.





petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
18 Mar 2015 4:49AM
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A month back I sailed for a few hours on a 2015 107 with a 5.5 and a small soft fin in 15-25 knots.

6.2 metre is the smallest size recommended but.....

The advantages........upwind is totally unbelievable pointing angles.

Board rides super high and clear of chop-- so top speed is surprisingly high.

The sail feels even lighter than normal.


Downside.......in the 25 knot gusts,it has a habit of lifting too high and throwing you over the front.

You do have to react much quicker in a sudden gust,keeping your upper body weight forward to the nose of the board!

With a bit more experience on this set up,I think I can make it work better.

Overall,I love this combo. It feels like a hydro-foil windsurfer.

Anyone else tried this combo?

BRA4253
1 posts
2 May 2015 9:20AM
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Hi guys!

I have some doubts about which board to buy, i am a heavy weight sailor, around 95kg, i'm already owner:
Isonic 133 (2009)
Isonic 117 (2013)
And i'm in doubt if i buy a 2014 isonic 107 or 110...
I need a board to use in 15-25kt wind range...

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
2 May 2015 12:44PM
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BRA4253 said..
Hi guys!

I have some doubts about which board to buy, i am a heavy weight sailor, around 95kg, i'm already owner:
Isonic 133 (2009)
Isonic 117 (2013)
And i'm in doubt if i buy a 2014 isonic 107 or 110...
I need a board to use in 15-25kt wind range...


Having the 117 I'd go for the 107 70cm wide as it'll be better at the upper wind range and still be good at 15knots with an 8.6 or 7.8. I'm 90kg and have a 117(80cm), a 107(70cm) and 90 (63cm). I do have a 2013 iS110 but it doesn't get a look in now since getting the iS107 as it has a big wind range.

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
2 May 2015 1:32PM
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Select to expand quote
BRA4253 said..
Hi guys!

I have some doubts about which board to buy, i am a heavy weight sailor, around 95kg, i'm already owner:
Isonic 133 (2009)
Isonic 117 (2013)
And i'm in doubt if i buy a 2014 isonic 107 or 110...
I need a board to use in 15-25kt wind range...


Yep im with sausage get the 107

Steve Charles
QLD, 1237 posts
4 May 2015 9:04PM
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The 117 and 110 would be too close. The 107 2014 is a gun.

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
5 May 2015 12:44AM
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I've tried the 13 or 14 model carbon version 110 and its a big board.

Felt pretty crap but performance was good!

The 2015 107 feels like a small board once on the plane. The 2014 107 feels bigger in the tail than the 2015 model (though its not)

The 110 feels like a big board,so go for the 107.

scottydog
230 posts
25 Nov 2015 12:07AM
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Hey guys some interesting reading on this post.

It's got me thinking not to totally ignore the 2016 SB Isonic 107.


So basically I have a 80l and 90l Isonic which I use mu 5.4 and 6.2 NP race sails on. My bigger sails are 7.2, 7.8 and 8.4 RSS NP's. I've used the 7.2 on the Isonic 90, but not sure I liked it, but maybe fine tuning the fin size would improve it.

I have an old school 66cm wide course slalom board which is very fast, but with the 8.4 sometimes feels life it's draggy and not very free. I've found my free formula with the 8.4 is often a nicer combo.

The choices look to be

Starboard IS 107 (71cm wide)

Starboard IS 114 (77cm wide)

JP 71 (71cm wide)

I'm about 77kgs myself.


So basically looking for the craft that would work with the 7.2, 7.8 and 8.4 sails. I have 38cm, 42cm, 46cm and 50cm Tectonics fins.


ps.....

I'm in love with my little 80 Isonic!!



petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
25 Nov 2015 2:37PM
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The 107 feels so much nicer than the old 110--- much smaller especially,sweeter and faster!

The 110 feels like a wide,big board so I presume the new 114 feels similar. The 107 feels like a medium sized board.

I have been using my 107 with a 44cm Sonntag fin and 7.6m in light wind (10-15) and it gets me going in 10-11 knots of wind.

No point in going bigger for my 70kg.

Tried the 2015 model carbon 90 litre yesterday in winds of 18-25 knots with a 5.5 and 32 Vector EX fin.

Too much lift in the gusts! Very hairy to ride above 23-24 knots for me. Very fast in 18-23 though.

Rigged up my 6.6 when the wind dropped a bit (15-22) with a 36 CL carbon fin.

Even more lift! Going upwind amazing in sharp contrast to using the smaller fin.

Prefer my older model (2012) 87 wood when the wind is strong by far. More comfortable and controllable to sail when the wind is strong by some!

Half an hour on the 90 in 25 knots and I reckon I'd be done.


scottydog
230 posts
26 Nov 2015 11:18PM
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Interesting Peter,

for me the smaller, sweeter and faster sort of board is more appealing! I'm about 5 - 7 kgs heavier than yourself so can say we are fairly close for comparison purposes.

mattspoonersurf
38 posts
7 Jan 2016 7:04PM
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The 2015 IS107 is a much nicer board than the 2013 Is110 that I had previously. The IS107 will take an 8.6 comfortably, I use a Sonntag SL-P 40cm fin with teh 8.6 - I do have a 43cm Sonntag SL-P, which I used on the IS110, but find it too big on the Is107.

The Is110 would plane marginally earlier than the Is107 - but as an overall package the Is107 is by far the better board. When Slalom racing, I always use my Is137 with the 8.6 as it carries more speed through the gybes, but for recreational sailing I prefer the Is107.

In terms of the Is90, I have a 2014 Is90, that replaced a 2012 Is87 - initially I didn't get on with the Is90, however, I now love this board. The biggest issue was the fin - the Is90 is incredibly sensitive to fin size and profile. With the Is87, I used 32 and 34cm Vector fins, but they just didn't work in the Is90, I find that the IS90 only sails well with a fin which has a lot of rake - I now use Drake R2R DW 30, 32 and 34cm fins, but rarely use the 34cm fin. However, once you get the right fin, and get used to the "unlimited" speed feeling, the Is90 is an awesome board

scottydog
230 posts
9 Jan 2016 3:40AM
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That is cool to hear, the 107 sounds like a fun ride! I have 50cm, 46cm and 42cm Tectonics fins I'd use with the IS107 if I got one. Will see, maybe wait till 2017?

I love my 2012 IS 90!

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
9 Jan 2016 4:39AM
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I had a very quick ride of a 2013? RRD 114 litre.

It does not have the new large tail cutout that most of the newer boards have.

I could feel the extra the drag of the tail no question about it!

Did not feel that fast a board to me--- though Peter Dans could beat nearly everyone on it

The newer boards especially in the larger sizes benefit from these new large tail cutouts.

Not convinced in the smaller sizes like a 87L it will make a much if any difference. The tail is already small anyway.


Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
10 Jan 2016 9:19AM
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I think the 107 iSonic is the most versatile board on the market. I made my '16 model go 43 knots on a speed run with a 23cm fin, then a few days later put a 7.8 on it and went for a upwind cruise with a 42cm fin!
As said before its a medium wind slalom board, but for the heavier sailor it's good for more than 30 knots with the right fin. Sometimes 'ignore' the recommend specs on fins, sail size and wind range and go experimenting!

scottydog
230 posts
11 Jan 2016 10:29PM
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Spocktek said..
I think the 107 iSonic is the most versatile board on the market. I made my '16 model go 43 knots on a speed run with a 23cm fin, then a few days later put a 7.8 on it and went for a upwind cruise with a 42cm fin!
As said before its a medium wind slalom board, but for the heavier sailor it's good for more than 30 knots with the right fin. Sometimes 'ignore' the recommend specs on fins, sail size and wind range and go experimenting!


43 knots! Damn!

How big are you!?

Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
11 Jan 2016 11:28PM
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^^ 95kgs, have been sailing a while.

mattspoonersurf
38 posts
13 Jan 2016 4:16PM
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43kts is incredible on this board!

I was really happy with 35.9 kts on a 7.0 with 34cm fin on the 2015 Is107 - No way I could go much faster though

I completely agree with you on the recommended fin sizes - I almost always use 2cm less than recommended on both the Is90 and Is107

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
13 Jan 2016 4:39PM
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I don't hold much value on GPS times.

Fastest time I've done on any board is 31.7 knots.

Find me a ferry run in glassy water and 25 knots plus and doing 40 knots on a small board is probably not that difficult-- I think.

43 knots on a 107 is mighty impressive though in any conditions.

I have found with the 2015 107--that around 7m and a 38 cm fin is a good combo for all round sailing.

36cm or smaller with a 7m if you want to sail strictly off the wind like in a LOC.

6.6m and a 36 CL fin is my favourite combo on this board. My 6.6m feels so much smaller,lighter and nicer than my 7m.

I can squeeze another half a knot more top end out of it over my 7m.






scottydog
230 posts
13 Jan 2016 9:30PM
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mattspoonersurf said..
43kts is incredible on this board!

I was really happy with 35.9 kts on a 7.0 with 34cm fin on the 2015 Is107 - No way I could go much faster though

I completely agree with you on the recommended fin sizes - I almost always use 2cm less than recommended on both the Is90 and Is107


What type of GPS's you guys have? Mine must read low cause even in 35 knots of wind on a little 80l isonic I'm not hitting 35 knots!

mark62
495 posts
14 Jan 2016 3:47AM
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amazing, 43 knots on an iS107 must a record for this size board. it's only 2 knots slower than my highest all time speed, and that was done on a 54 litre speedboard at west kirby. The most I can manage on an is107 is 36 knots with a 7.8m and 35cm fin. Did you upload the assign any where?

Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
14 Jan 2016 7:17AM
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www.gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2015-12-24&team=10

I'm Spock. Max speed was 43.01 on the dail with a 2 sec peak at 42.7.
I'm using a logsys gt-31 gps like most the crew.
Mark, Is your 54 litre speed board a dunkerbeck iSonic?



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"Starboard iSonics 2015" started by sausage