Still deciding on a 14' DW board and really need to try and get out to see Darren and demo a couple but at least now I have something to get out there on in the meantime. The Jimmy Lewis M-14.
Picked it up brand new for less than the price of a second hand board, so wont feel so bad about knocking it around while I learn the ropes of some open ocean and distance paddling, etc. Big thanks to Courts for bringing it up to Perth for me as well, and for throwin in a free shirt Heres some pics, need to get it out on the water, but works holding me back at the moment. Might be able to sneek in a cheeky paddle before work tomorrow if all goes well.

28" wide x 5 1/2" Thick. i think volume is a good thing at the mo considering I'm starting out

Yeah its similar in shape to the last model glide, aside the tail of course. Should be taking it out tomorrow so see how it goes

Hey mate, been out on it heaps lately. Its really stable which was one thing I was most happy with, got a great amount of glide and its surprising light as well.
It also tracks quite well on small runners, and has a good amount of rocker so it doesnt want to nose dive all the time, havent taken out into the real big stuff yet though.
I've also been using it on flat water until such time as my fanatic carbon race arrives, and could paddle all day on it, its a great board. Cant say how it goes against the glides or starboards open oceans, etc coz I've never demo'd either, but for price I paid new for the JL it was too good too resist. Jimmy makes some fantastic boards and this is another one I believe, hope that helps mate

Thanks very much, Chopz. Two questions, if you can spare the time.

First, are the rails on the nose as sharp as they look in the pics? Looks quite different from most DW boards, but maybe it's just the light.

Second, where is the fin box? Is it near the tail, like on the JL Albatross (or Mission as it is now called) or is it well forward from the tail like on most DW-oriented boards?

I've always been very surprised at how brutally effective the 12-6 Albatross is in big choppy DW runs, especially when carrying a heavy load. So whatever JL has done here, there's probably a good reason for it.