VIC
621 posts
Hi,
Trying to decide between the Kombat 85l and the FSW 85L apart from the Kombat DRAM being around 1k heavier I can't see much difference. Any one tried either or better still both?
Cheers
Derek
VIC
881 posts
My experience with anything JP is all bad , sure the boards feel great but they just don't last . Im a weekend sailor,my freeride board went soft after 2 years all my Jp fins either cracked or broke clean off, it cost me heaps to get fixed then you have to sell it cheap . And when it comes to warranty they are not very helpful.
So the choice is simple unless you have lots of money.
P.S. A friend of mine has a Kombat and he loves it.
VIC
621 posts
That's one vote against the FSW. I am looking for a do it all board so it will need to take the rougher stuff as well, gets pretty mogully in the bay.
418 posts
Had the same JP board for almost 2 seasons
Push looping it to the limit along with forwards, mast high table tops and some serious wave action and its still hanging in there good as gold.
I sail 4 - 7 days a week in summer and 2 to 3 across winter so the board in question has seen some SERIOUS usage
Snapped a couple of JP's in half a few years back and had them replaced under warranty no problems. All good with the newers shapes/designs
The FSW is a speed machine in regards to bump and jump action.
Bolt in a wave fin and its the perfect board to get you out in the waves... only problem is its speed... too fast for serious wave ridding
My only suggestion is try before you buy
WA
265 posts
I have a 2005 JP FSW & it rocks. I'm 85kgs & I can use it from 6.2m down to 4.2m - bloody great wind range. The board is a rocket so big jumps are plentiful & control in the air is second to none. It's a bit speedy in down the line conditions but with a MFC wave fin it comes to life, I'm a chump at wave riding so the extra float & quick excelleration works for me. I found the fin is excellent as a non returning boomerang. Then again you can use it for those low tide days at places like Metthams where rocks abound.
SA
1160 posts
ive got a jp fsw 03. it is my little baby! havent had a single problem!! just dont really like the original fin thats all.
WA
1419 posts
Another vote for the JP from me! I have had the 03' and now the 06'.
OK I have never given them a huge punishing, but they have ventured out in the waves with me heaps. Never had any problems, great boards!
VIC
621 posts
I had the impression that the FWS was the better bet due to the lack of second hand ones for sale. The good speed appeals because I sail mainly in Port Phillip bay in Melbourne but plan to venture out in to the waves next summer.
Will have to keep my eye open for one.
Derek
WA
3580 posts
I have had 3 91l FSWs for the last 4 seasons... JP certainly has come a long way in regards to durability. While the boards from 3 years ago where somewhat fragile, last seasons' boards certainly seem to be able to take a beating.
The main problems I have had with them in the past was a soft deck between the footstraps. It usually happened after several months of heavy use. Every board which showed this issue was replaced under warranty without discussion. I am using an 84 RWW (current model) and a 91l FSW from last season at the moment and the soft deck issue hasn't come up this time around...
... make sure you remove the air valve screw when you cart the board around in or on your car. My feeling is that a lot of deck and delamitation problems are due to expanding air inside the board.
... as far as performance goes, I wouldn't want to use anything else but a JP. The FSW 85 and 91 are very very fast boards and will work in small waves. The RRWs aren't quite as fast but you gain better wave performance. Neither boards are hardcore slalom or hardcore wave boards...
... my recommendation would be to go to a shop near you and ask to test both the Starboard and JP... I looked at both in the past but decided on JP mainly because I like their boards better and they do hold their re-sale value.
If you are in Sydney and sail either Botany Bay, La Perouse or Wanda I am more than happy to let you have a go on my boards...
just my 5 cents...
