I like the tips on this speedball. I might have to incorporate a little bit of that into my next build.

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ste said...
Thanks cauncy!so you think it would be good in waves?I have the 11 edge,do you think this board would increase the bottom end?good lightwind board?looks like a real fun board.cheers

Hey ste imo this is where it right at home, I was on a 20klm stretch of beach and hardly venturing more than 500mtrs riding wave after wave, as for bottom end goes I'm 88kg and was going on 16knts on a 9mtr edge, it'd make a very decent lightwind board

Awesome reviews guys. Seriously considdering this one. (just as I thought I had it narrowed down to the Dundee.....)
Anyway:

* could anyone comment on the W16 and what the difference is to the W18 in terms of feeling, windrange (additional low end), wave suitability etc. The width difference is quite big and makes it look as if they are 2 completely different boards.

* Is the width of the W18 suitable for my 73 kgs.

* I was looking to have a one quiver board but the W18 seems like you end up a 2 quiver considdering my weight. W18, dundee133?/w16???

* any tips on selling a 2 quiver option to the misses....??


thanks guys

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RRK said...
Awesome reviews guys. Seriously considdering this one. (just as I thought I had it narrowed down to the Dundee.....)
Anyway:

* could anyone comment on the W16 and what the difference is to the W18 in terms of feeling, windrange (additional low end), wave suitability etc. The width difference is quite big and makes it look as if they are 2 completely different boards.

* Is the width of the W18 suitable for my 73 kgs.

* I was looking to have a one quiver board but the W18 seems like you end up a 2 quiver considdering my weight. W18, dundee133?/w16???

* any tips on selling a 2 quiver option to the misses....??


thanks guys

Mark Shinn puts the changeover from W16 to W18 @ between 70kgs & 80kgs but Im guessing that it depoends on what you are after. If its for a Lighter Wind option then probably go the W18. If you want the full fun feel then obviously the W16 suits your weight better.
Need more watertime & reviews to be sure on these things.

At 73 kgs Id be going the 131 Dundee. Im exactly that weight and while I havent tried the 131 yet I did get a feeling that the 133 was too big. I found the 132 Luigi was perfect for me at that weight. Thought a small step up would be appro but I dont think so. The Dundee shape does have more total area than the Luigi did.
Again more watertime & more reviews needed to nail this one for sure but if you are going 2 board quiver then imo definitely go the 131 Dundee & the W18 Speedball.
Both here for demo.

As for the 'other' problem try telling her they repel sharks. If she really loves you she will insist on you getting them.

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RRK said...

* any tips on selling a 2 quiver option to the misses....??

No but just remember that it is always better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

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puppetonastring said...

RRK said...
Awesome reviews guys. Seriously considdering this one. (just as I thought I had it narrowed down to the Dundee.....)
Anyway:

* could anyone comment on the W16 and what the difference is to the W18 in terms of feeling, windrange (additional low end), wave suitability etc. The width difference is quite big and makes it look as if they are 2 completely different boards.

* Is the width of the W18 suitable for my 73 kgs.

* I was looking to have a one quiver board but the W18 seems like you end up a 2 quiver considdering my weight. W18, dundee133?/w16???

* any tips on selling a 2 quiver option to the misses....??


thanks guys

Mark Shinn puts the changeover from W16 to W18 @ between 70kgs & 80kgs but Im guessing that it depoends on what you are after. If its for a Lighter Wind option then probably go the W18. If you want the full fun feel then obviously the W16 suits your weight better.
Need more watertime & reviews to be sure on these things.

At 73 kgs Id be going the 131 Dundee. Im exactly that weight and while I havent tried the 131 yet I did get a feeling that the 133 was too big. I found the 132 Luigi was perfect for me at that weight. Thought a small step up would be appro but I dont think so. The Dundee shape does have more total area than the Luigi did.
Again more watertime & more reviews needed to nail this one for sure but if you are going 2 board quiver then imo definitely go the 131 Dundee & the W18 Speedball.
Both here for demo.

As for the 'other' problem try telling her they repel sharks. If she really loves you she will insist on you getting them.

Thanks puppet. makes sense. Shinn advised the 133 but I probably would agree with you. Will try to get some demos so I can get a feel for the boards. The W18 would probably rock in the waves and on those "only 2 knots short of a fun evening' sort of days in summer. the W16 would be more all round at my weight. I have found the local importer and he is more than happy to demo them. (live in NZ).I will have time of work in 2 weeks. will post my findings.
MMM... if it repels sharks it should take care of the "misses issue" aye.... ah well always the begging option left if the first one does not work.... LOL

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RRK said...
Awesome reviews guys. Seriously considdering this one. (just as I thought I had it narrowed down to the Dundee.....)
Anyway:

* could anyone comment on the W16 and what the difference is to the W18 in terms of feeling, windrange (additional low end), wave suitability etc. The width difference is quite big and makes it look as if they are 2 completely different boards.

* Is the width of the W18 suitable for my 73 kgs.

* I was looking to have a one quiver board but the W18 seems like you end up a 2 quiver considdering my weight. W18, dundee133?/w16???

* any tips on selling a 2 quiver option to the misses....??


thanks guys

yo rrk, at your weight the w18 would be fine but imo not in the upper wind ranges, not sure what you get in your neck of the woods? personally if your looking for a one board quiver for all wind and riding styles id look at the monk or the dundee, but if you get to demo the speedball and ride it on some waves the will be days when you wish you had one, as for justifing owning a 2 board quiver, he with the most toys wins,

Lost my 139x42 Flyradical3 a couple of weeks back... used it as my "upper wind range of the kite" board, so I'm looking for another one for well-powered riding. I don't freestyle (rotations my limit so far) but do love jumping as high as I can...

Am trying to decide between Axis Vanguard*, Naish Hero**, Aboards Z-series**, this or another Flyradical...

* have found one on sale
** can get at a discount

Heres some tech specs on the Speed Ball direct from Mark Shinn.
Definitely dont judge it by dimensions - its not what you will expect.

Yep time to demo that W18!!

Send one over, I'll have it back in a week or two, promise :lol:

Liked the look so ordered one W18 let you know after Mauritius and Namuto island.
Living the dream.

Nice one ugly!!

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eppo said...
Yep time to demo that W18!!

I'm posting it back to kss on Monday, had a blast on it, as I mentioned it'd be fun in a westerly, well it was Awsome, usually you get pinned in the beach but its upwind abilities let me get out the back to ride some sizey swell, you can nearly come to a hault without sinking , which was perfect when waiting for a set to form I'm keen to ride the 16 then ill make up my mind,as mentioned don't think its just a tt that goes well in the swell, I've been on it a fair bit and I'm struggling to categorize this board , the foot positions close to the finns really let you have a hack at the forming wave, its a similar stance to riding a scateboard if that makes scence, ie the closer to your trucks the more agressive you can turn,

Yeh I'm looking at it as a lighter wind option when not enough on a 150 mako. I still prefer the mako in the surf so did my bro. Totally different concept to a TT. The W16 is the closest I've felt on a TT to a mako though. Took one tack to dial it in. Will take others a bit longer I feel.

Hmm Speedball or KG as a light wind option?? The speedball does sound interesting and particularly FUN - carving, some jumps n stuff. Which after having quite a few sessions on various tt's in light conditions, maybe just a fun playful board to muck around on is the go rather than thinking of freestyle - which just doesn't seem possible in 12-13knots.. Unless you have a 17m

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eppo said..

Yep time to demo that W18!!

it got dropped off at the shop yesterday, better late than never sorry i was having too much fun

Mine should be here next week

I have the pleasure of testing the W16.
length is the same as the W18 but it is les wide (43cm)
I weigh 73kg, intermediate kiter. I like a bit of everything but I was looking for something that is a bit more suitable for waves.
kites: B5 11m and 8 M.
I have ahad it out on my 11 only. pretty gusty and wind increasing in strength.
Not ideal for testing but realistic non the less.
Very easy board to get around with. It feels really short. I have changed the straps for my own ones after a few sesions and there is a trade off in the width. The original straps are better for carving toe side and my own are better heel side. For me that means that this board would tend to a lighter wind board. I have to put some effort in when the wind picked up controling the edge. Solved by putting my own straps on that sit a bit further heel side. (guts did show up to 30 knots on my 11m so the limit is still really high!) It planes very easy and upwind is no problem at all in any wind (if it picks up and you really dig in I tended to get upwind too far actually). Free ride is great. no spray and very easy to ride. Chop???.. the board deals with it for you!. Pop, not really there as far as I have been able to detect. Waves....yeah baby!!! that is where this board is fantastic. Even on the smallest of waves it planes without much help from the kite. Like on a surfboard you can direct where you want to be on the wave just by changing preasure from you front to back foot and vise versa. the tip does not tend to dive at all. It just stays up.
This board is a lot of fun and you get away with the od thing on the wave as it stays up so nicely. Not a freestyle board imo. As Cauncy mentioned. There will be days where you will want to get this board out specifically and you will miss it if you don't have it. If you like TT and ride some waves this board is awesome.
I was hoping to test the W18 but that will be a while.

Speedball stock arrived from Poland today.
Emails to those waiting on orders going out now.
A few (very few) excess stock boards in both sizes for anyone else interested.

any dealers of the speedbal in the Melbourne area? I will like to buy one. send me a PM

cheers

Jose

Why limited yourself to the Melbourne area??

Why limit yourself to the Melbourne area??

would like to demo the board before giving my $$$$$. I got a few emails and and I am thinking now ....

Oh okay fair enough didn't get that about your request. Yes I would advise you demo it before buying for sure, has its own feel, might or might not agree with you. What did your emails say? PM me and I will share my thoughts.

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RRK said..
I have the pleasure of testing the W16.

length is the same as the W18 but it is les wide (43cm)

I weigh 73kg, intermediate kiter. I like a bit of everything but I was looking for something that is a bit more suitable for waves.

kites: B5 11m and 8 M.

I have ahad it out on my 11 only. pretty gusty and wind increasing in strength.

Not ideal for testing but realistic non the less.

Very easy board to get around with. It feels really short. I have changed the straps for my own ones after a few sesions and there is a trade off in the width. The original straps are better for carving toe side and my own are better heel side. For me that means that this board would tend to a lighter wind board. I have to put some effort in when the wind picked up controling the edge. Solved by putting my own straps on that sit a bit further heel side. (guts did show up to 30 knots on my 11m so the limit is still really high!) It planes very easy and upwind is no problem at all in any wind (if it picks up and you really dig in I tended to get upwind too far actually). Free ride is great. no spray and very easy to ride. Chop???.. the board deals with it for you!. Pop, not really there as far as I have been able to detect. Waves....yeah baby!!! that is where this board is fantastic. Even on the smallest of waves it planes without much help from the kite. Like on a surfboard you can direct where you want to be on the wave just by changing preasure from you front to back foot and vise versa. the tip does not tend to dive at all. It just stays up.

This board is a lot of fun and you get away with the od thing on the wave as it stays up so nicely. Not a freestyle board imo. As Cauncy mentioned. There will be days where you will want to get this board out specifically and you will miss it if you don't have it. If you like TT and ride some waves this board is awesome.

I was hoping to test the W18 but that will be a while.

So I had a few more rides and the board is growing on me more an more. I put my Syncs on and that made a big difference. The standard straps have to wear in but when you're testing there is no time. (used them and felt OK but I like my pads harder) Finally had a good wave session with stable winds (16-25 knots so a large range but just picking up and dropping of over time) and had an absolute blast. great upwind. Very smooth through chop. This board will give you a massive wind range. Crossing white water just puts a smile on your face every time. The board feels very stable yet nimble under foot with good directional stability. I actually got it to pop as well. The edge holds a lot of wind so jumping is great. The board seems to somehow stay afloat very well. That helps on the wave. Probably it also ads to its ability to carve at speed and keep that speed through the whole turn. Even at almost no speed it takes a while to sink into the water so there is plenty time to power up again. Will swap to the Dundee this week. After the W16 I have high expectations!! If you have a chance; test this one!!

Nice review. let us know what you think of the w16 vs the dundee.

Anymore reviews on the w18?

Not yet,but soon

Couldn't wait...no demo....W18 ordered!