I've got a Hypersonic 105 and it's a pretty cool/unique board. It does have a soft ride over chop compared to modern flat bottom slalom boards but it's quite hard on your knees in my opinion. This comes from it's very 'locked in' formula style of stance, really loading up the fin/rails etc. However, I mostly ride wave boards these days so it might not be any worse than any other slalom board in this regard.

When I first rode it I was s#*t scared, it's short length (220cm) and 'catchy' rails make it fairly lively and it took a little while to get used to. I think if you just cruise around and don't push it, it could be considered fairly boring. It's very 'locked in' which means it doesn't turn rapidly and the outboard straps mean it's not really ideal for chop hopping etc.

I run it with either an 8.5m freerace sail or a 5.8m wave sail. I've sailed it in up to 35kts of wind with the 5.8m and while a handful it's do-able. When the wind gets up if you're overpowered sail or fin wise it tends to get very flighty, I would class it as intense when you're pushing it.

I reckon it's a great board, certainly a unique board and I will be hanging onto it till it's death. It gets me plaining in probably 10kts of wind and it's fast on so many angles of attack. There are faster boards for sure, but the Hypersonic is fast everywhere, particularly in light winds. Also once it's plaining it pretty much won't stop until you backwind the sail, it's phenomenal.

I dont think the Hyper is the board for you, as said yes it is a soft ride through the chop but it is hard on your legs. When you first ride them they dont feel that confident direction wise- board sort of goes where it wants to but you quickly get used to that. It goes across the wind perfectly. As for chop you have to watch those rails- small fin brings back some control.

Once you give them their time and get used to them you do get good feedback and response, and you can really crank gybes. You also have to work them a bit to get planing at the same time as a flat bottom board. In the flat they are fast- dare I say fastest board of that width range 38/9knots from a 77cm wide board is no slouch.

I can suggest 2 alternatives: Tabou Rocket- the rocket and manta continue with deep double concaves and the rocket shouldnt have as sharp rails as hyper.
Other alternative is one of the Exocet range- I stepped from hyper to Scross lots of times and it is a soft ride through chop due to the shock absorber heel pads.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Haircut

Hardman, you'll be buying yourself a fold-up chair next

---

He's got it already, Bloody comfy to!

It is a full on slalom board, I never liked mine in chops/surf but flat water blasts - yeha! Great runs with 5-10m sails in the right conditions.

instead of spending hundreds, maybe thousands, on new boards to smooth out the chop, why dont ya just buy some of those waterproof knee and ankle straps and SUCK it up you weak bastard

quote:

---

Originally posted by grumplestiltskin

instead of spending hundreds, maybe thousands, on new boards to smooth out the chop, why dont ya just buy some of those waterproof knee and ankle straps and SUCK it up you weak bastard

---

Moved to tears again with your ability to empathise

quote:

---

Originally posted by Big Al

Will a board really make a heap of difference Hardie....? I'd suggest you getting one of those Cathy Freeman speed suits to cut down wind resistance, I'm sure your sponsor could hook you up...! Now that would be something to see.
BTW, my 2c is go a JP Supercross for ride & speed, it's a devastator. Other than that I think Quintrex make a range of mature gents products that could be of interest.

AB...

---

Yes me in a Kathy Freeman, though I must admit the Windwarrior suit would be fantastic to have, but not with my body, unless of course making people vomit was one of your goals!! I'm afraid the Qunitrex Club is looking more appealing everyday, can hardly walk after my wavesail, on sunday!!!

i have had a hypersonic 111 for a year now and i absolutely love it. It goes well in all conditions. Its the only board i have but gees i wouldnt have anything else. It goes well in chop if you keep the nose up high but its not that bad. You need a lot of front footstrap presure to keep the board from going upwind when not plaining but when you have got a good amount of wind following behind you it goes downwind fine.(i do downwind sandbar runs on it:) i HEARD THAT SOMEONE DID 41 KNOTS ON ONE. cheers

Hi Hardman, I own a wood Hypersonic 111 and use it with a RS6 8.4 You will find a Hyper a bit different for a few days but once you get that early planning technique it is fantastic. I goes through lulls like no other board. I had a Dram 111 all last year and now have a wood one I love it that much. Best speed so far on 8.4 is 27+ knts and with a V8 6.5 28.9 A friend who also has the same board went 30.9 knts Mon 13/nov/06 with 6 something RX1. It is a soft ride, and relaxed to 20knts just reaching. Going off in the wind is a bit scary at times in high wind but not as bad as you would think ( I've never gone over the front going for speed YET). You don't notice the short length after a while, and when you get on another board it feels like a whale after the Hyper. You wont be disappointed. Push through the start and the reward will soon come.