Thanks to all the 'Breezers who have given so much feedback and shared their love of unlimiteds, especially Bullets.. I just placed an order for next years 17-4..

I guess the the wind just kind of pushed me that way.. I wanted a board with steering so next time I'm in Maui I won't struggle to learn a new skillset... I wanted a board with lots of volume and length for doing some "open water" (Great Lakes) touring.... And I wanted to take my love of downwinding to the next level... It all added up to a 2016 Bullet 17-4.

I had a chance to score a 2011 Naish 17 Glide cheap, but it had been repaired - it had substantial nose damage from shipping; as I want the option of a fixed rudder/fin, I would have had to get a fin box installed.. So more hassle for an already questionable board. Next years SIC's FAST steering system allows both lockout and the use of a standard US fin.. so still more boxes checked off...

It won't arrive here in Ontario until next April, but as everything tends to be frozen up to the point of being able to play hockey on the lake ice, no matter... until then I'll just keep my stoke going by living vicariously in your Aussie Summer here on the 'Breeze.

Thanks again again to Nozza, Helmy, Downwinder, Kieranr, DJ, Human Cartoon, Lacey's Lane..... And everyone else who's shared their Unlimited experiences here on SeaBreeze.

That's a long time to wait.. but it should be awesome.

Yeah, it can be a long cold winter. I tend to forget about paddling once there's enough snow to ski.. And when the lakes freeze. That really puts a damper on the water time... but so far the weathers been pretty warm this fall, going to be 17c tomorrow.. And sunny. Still paddling weather in my books..

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DavidJohn said..
That's a long time to wait.. but it should be awesome.

The longer the board, the longer the wait. David has a whole plan to work and save during the winter to make it feels even longer... :-) But that said it must be excruciating.

Congratulations on your new board. I am hoping to hear pricing on the 14' V2 with the F.A.S.T system before i make a decision. A V2 IS in my future... but i need to decide on steering or no steering. We have been doing a bunch of DW runs on Muskegon Lake recently and have found that for an inland lake, it's a SUPER fun DW spot.... works well from about 200-290 degrees and 45-110 degrees is great too. I think steering would be a blast on the inland lakes, but lake Michigan is a different beast. Usually really messy, but still some good conditions. I think I'd use the steering on the inland runs and Grand Traverse Bay ,but not too much on Lake Michigan.

Excav8ter, I'm 45 min from Georgian Bay, there's lots of great opportunities for downwinding, especially this time of year. I've been very happy with my 2012 V2 Glide 14, but more than anything, a steering option would open up some runs that might otherwise be sketchy with any type of wind shift.. I thought about a V2 Bullet 14 with FAST, but as I intend on revisiting Maui, I thought I might as well paddle the same board I'd use there.. So I'll keep my Glide for my local smaller inland lakes, at least until something else comes available that appeals to me.

I am not worthy of mention in the same sentence as Helmy, DJ, Downwinder, KieranR or Lacey.
But I have paddled the 17'4" Bullet as a daily ( there must be a correct way to spell that somewhere) paddler since January this year.
They are / it is a big effort board to paddle .I love it, but it is big weight on the paddle,
Even in flat conditions, you are trying to move 18 plus kg of board, but it spits off waves and cross chop as irrelevant.
Upwind, it can be hard work, but again the board dismisses waves or chop.
As a long distance touring board, could think of no better.
I have strayed lately, with a 14" V1 entrancing me.
But if had to pick one board. for all conditions, the 17'4 Bullet would be it.

Thanks for the affirmation Nozza. BTW, it was some of your posts the last year or so in which you detailed and compared the Bullet to the 17 Jav and the F16 etc that got my attention. Also the fact that your Vic crew do a lot of paddling on Phillip Bay, which seems to have similar conditions to a large lake (ie., zero fetch downwinders). So yup, your contributions to my decision count as much as anyones.. Even DJ's yellow tinted opinions..