12 months ago I had no idea what a SIC board was.
Helmy was boring me witless banging on about them, with descriptions of how good they were.
I was happy with my 17' Naish, no reason to look further.
Then a 17'4" Bullet was advertised for sale in Adelaide.
I love a road trip, so bought it and went to pick it up.
What could be better than a 17' board than a 17'4" board.
Bit shocked with what I found, it was huge.
Volume in the rails!
I was worried I was buying something stupid.
Bought it home and first paddle out of Half Moon Bay in a big south easterly had me loving it - massively stable and rides any wave downwind.
Didn't even get my feet wet.
Hooked. Board design sorted.
Found a 12'6" for sale - heavy but a brilliant board.
On the Gold Coast.
Discovered The Kayak Courier. No more need for road trips.
Started to lurk on SeaBreeze buy and sell almost full time.
A hollow F16 appeared in QLD. Badly advertised as the wrong size, bought it but was always intended to be passed on to Helmy.
Paddled a bit but the 17'4" Bullet was always going to be picked first. Sold it on. Helmy's downwind board.
Lacey's 14 V2 was purchased, but failed to excite, and was sold on too.
14 V1 appeared for sale in Sydney, spotted by Helmy.
Bought and delivered, this is the board that ticks all boxes.
Unless you are weird like me, you would not look past this board.
Stable, pretty, brilliant down wind.
I'm finished with board buying.
So I thought.
Iron Phil put his 17' F16 up for sale. Hand shaped on Maui, one of a kind, collectors item, irreplaceable.
Mine now. Not for sale ever.
I think I'm done!


I have no idea why this picture is sideways.
I bought a Volkswagen somewhere in there too.












Not the quality of Grenfells fleet, but when we load the trailer with this 4, plus Helmy's F16 and 12'6", there will still be two spots left for two V3s .
On to the coast.
And it's after Christmas holidays Grenfell.
Total cost $7500 for the 4 boards, or average $1875 per board.

..so very nice, Nozza! Thanks for the affirmation. I've ordered a 2016 Bullet 17-4 for May Delivery.. . I should add how envious I am that you have so many 2nd hand SIC's available to you in Oz.. (Oh, and that you can paddle year round and not have to spend $ on things like snow tires etc.. ). Anyways, congrats on scoring downwinders Board, it's a beauty! Thanks for sharing your quiver..

Easily the coolest Quiver going around. Phil's old 17'F16 has to be the coolest looking unlimited board I have ever seen.
you are a lucky man.
Trailer looks the goods too.

Im going to give you something to chase.

A carbon version of the 12.6 bullet you have- very rare

Imo the newest 12.6 bullet arent as good as the original 12.6 bullets.

And the old round nose x 12 is a better dw board then any of the 12.6 bullets.
When the sic people came to oz last year a few of us put it to them to get the old x12 mould out and do a special run of carbon versions but I think they thought we were mad.
Kissa is a fan of that board

Yep that's fully SICK.

ET.

Yep - love em all. (Yes, Lacey - I like the old 12'6 better than the new one and have one in the quiver)
The 17'4 was such a treat in WA. I hadn't paddled the production version before. Super impressed.
If you are a bit older, carry constant and permanent injury issues, they are the way to go. So easy, super stable and pure fun.
Alot of crew are getting 17'4s down here. And I also got the new 14 recently. Great alrounder - really fun to surf

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kissa said..
If you are a bit older, carry constant and permanent injury issues.......

If you added " ....and have few remaining balance skills" to that you have just described me perfectly.
The 14' and 12'6" SIC boards are also super stable. The 12'6" does make me wonder at times why I bother with the others - great little board.

Yeah I'm SIC, too, and have the disease to buy more, and I did. I have a 14' V1 Bullet 2012/13, and have recently bought a 12'6 X12 , probably about 2010/11, but it's the one with the pointy tail and non-wave piercing bow..in fact, the bow on the X12 looks a lot like the bow on the current crop on Fanatic and Starboard Raceboards [like Falcon and Allstar for example. ] The X12 has been unexpectedly amazing as far as downwinding is concerned ,as it has a flat rocker for speed [it was meant to be speed on flatwater] but the nose design stops it burrowing into the wave in front. Clearly the bow design was ahead of its time and I really wonder why SIC went to the piercing bow on the X12/14 from 2011/12 onwards. I love riding both of my SICS. Both boards are SCC Single Carbon Construction, which is very strong which means they can be used for family fun. You can't push in the finish with you thumb compared to other boards. Both boards are stable and very user friendly, but have that racehorse pedigree when you need it. Both boards are mainly white in colour which means they can be left in the sun without heating up crazily. Both boards aren't brushed carbon, which means they aren't ugly or dirty to look at. Both boards look fast when just lying on the grass at home. They are both sic.

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bradsdubs said..
Yeah I'm SIC, too, and have the disease to buy more, and I did. I have a 14' V1 Bullet 2012/13, and have recently bought a 12'6 X12 , probably about 2010/11, but it's the one with the pointy tail and non-wave piercing bow..in fact, the bow on the X12 looks a lot like the bow on the current crop on Fanatic and Starboard Raceboards [like Falcon and Allstar for example. ] The X12 has been unexpectedly amazing as far as downwinding is concerned ,as it has a flat rocker for speed [it was meant to be speed on flatwater] but the nose design stops it burrowing into the wave in front. Clearly the bow design was ahead of its time and I really wonder why SIC went to the piercing bow on the X12/14 from 2011/12 onwards. I love riding both of my SICS. Both boards are SCC Single Carbon Construction, which is very strong which means they can be used for family fun. You can't push in the finish with you thumb compared to other boards. Both boards are stable and very user friendly, but have that racehorse pedigree when you need it. Both boards are mainly white in colour which means they can be left in the sun without heating up crazily. Both boards aren't brushed carbon, which means they aren't ugly or dirty to look at. Both boards look fast when just lying on the grass at home. They are both sic.

Wasn't really aware of the X12.
May have more shopping to do

The SIC 12'6 range was the Bullet 12'6 like you have, and the X12 , which is 12'6"like I have. Very little info on the model I have , though I recall Lacey's Lane on the forum talking about them once , and digging it, Most info in catalogues /youtube clips etc are for the later version which has a squared off tail and a displacement nose..no good for surf and downwinding as they pierce the wave in front or pearl when surfing . Mine also doesn't have the current sic handgrip like my 14 Bullet does. It has the old school one. Oh..I just found that Lacey's Lane link....

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/the-old-sic-x-12/

Mine has silver instead of yellow. For a new sport with rapid changes in technology, I think Raaphorst was onto something here.


.

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Nozza said..

Iron Phil put his 17' F16 up for sale. Hand shaped on Maui, one of a kind, collectors item, irreplaceable.
Mine now. Not for sale ever.
I think I'm done!

G'day Nossa
When you do your ocean time trials you'll find the custom Scot Trudon Model 17ft f16 will be as fast or faster than your Blue 17'4'' Bullet. ( I'll guarantee this Quote ) you will not be disappointed with the custom f16 she's 7 years old already weighing in at 15.5kg the only one of her kind in Australia, If you ever get to meet Scot Trudon from Maui he'll tell you how good that board is he owned the same board but he's was Grey & White Camo. I cried when I sold her to you, enjoy the board. I just have no more room at my place.

If you're paddle the Custom 17ft f16 in the flat, canal or creek you will come last I guarantee, even a novice on a 12'6'' that can't paddle will smash you.

One thing I would do if I was you Nossa is buy a new steering rod $150 US the newer ones will fit thicker wire for your rudder system, a thicker wire is best.

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bradsdubs said...
The SIC 12'6 range was the Bullet 12'6 like you have, and the X12 , which is 12'6"like I have. Very little info on the model I have , though I recall Lacey's Lane on the forum talking about them once , and digging it, Most info in catalogues /youtube clips etc are for the later version which has a squared off tail and a displacement nose..no good for surf and downwinding as they pierce the wave in front or pearl when surfing . Mine also doesn't have the current sic handgrip like my 14 Bullet does. It has the old school one. Oh..I just found that Lacey's Lane link....

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/the-old-sic-x-12/

Mine has silver instead of yellow. For a new sport with rapid changes in technology, I think Raaphorst was onto something here.


.

This is the board we asked the sic reps to do a run in carbon.
If this board was light it would be amazing.

I agree. Ahead of its time

Great looking quiver right there,it kind on makes Lacey's look SIC

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Downwinder said..

Nozza said..

Iron Phil put his 17' F16 up for sale. Hand shaped on Maui, one of a kind, collectors item, irreplaceable.
Mine now. Not for sale ever.
I think I'm done!

G'day Nossa
When you do your ocean time trials you'll find the custom Scot Trudon Model 17ft f16 will be as fast or faster than your Blue 17'4'' Bullet. ( I'll guarantee this Quote ) you will not be disappointed with the custom f16 she's 7 years old already weighing in at 15.5kg the only one of her kind in Australia, If you ever get to meet Scot Trudon from Maui he'll tell you how good that board is he owned the same board but he's was Grey & White Camo. I cried when I sold her to you, enjoy the board. I just have no more room at my place.

If you're paddle the Custom 17ft f16 in the flat, canal or creek you will come last I guarantee, even a novice on a 12'6'' that can't paddle will smash you.

One thing I would do if I was you Nossa is buy a new steering rod $150 US the newer ones will fit thicker wire for your rudder system, a thicker wire is best.

Really enjoying the board Phil. Only paddled it in choppy water, once on Port Phillip and a dozen times on Westernport with usually chop over swells. Love the stability. Attempted to surf it on a tiny point break yesterday and pulled off one decent ride before I stepped off. I can't surf by the way.
It did feel a bit bogged down paddling 3k back from the point in to the tide, but I am way out of condition after long injury recovery from late November.
Steering already works better than any other board we have here - centres easily and turns instantly.
Great looking board on the water.

This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Trust me Gizzie, he's simply a passionate punter...

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GizzieNZ said...
This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Its the 'kiwi ' factor

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GizzieNZ said... This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Sorry Giz, didn't realise it was that sensitive.
No intention to post in the wrong spot, or offend anyone.
Or almost anyone.
I just greened you to cancel the dickhead who red thumbed you.
Just the story of my last year paddling, enjoying SeaBreeze, and like you getting wet nearly every morning.
None of the boards mentioned are current models, or even available for sale.
I have no affiliation with SIC, or any of their distributers or retailers, all / both of whom I think are particularly useless here in Victoria, or incompetent, whichever is worse. Mostly just invisible.
I like the older SIC boards more than the current range.
My post prompted discussion about what people like to paddle, or what they would like to be able to paddle or buy, and to me that equates as healthy criticism of the currently available boards, regardless of brand, and relevant discussion about the relative merits of various boards.
if it was meant to be some where else, I am sorry.
Here is a picture of my current favourite board.
I won't bore you with talk of who makes it, or review it's performance in any way,
and I have no idea

So ...a Jimmy Lewis by the logo? How do you find it works in the big stuff.....and does the red colour make you go faster?...

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bradsdubs said..
So ...a Jimmy Lewis by the logo? How do you find it works in the big stuff.....and does the red colour make you go faster?...

Barely paddled it.
From what me and Helmy have done, it is just right.
Lovely single concave transitioning to double concave.
Hard rails all the way forward a bit different.
Red is always faster.
Particularly with stripes!

Be sure to try some different fins on the M14 Nozza. Rumour has it that a dolphin style fin is the mutts nuts for downwinding that board.. Betcha you could find one on one of that fellows yellow boards - you know, that guy with the fancy camera rigging on the tail..

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Nozza said..

bradsdubs said..
So ...a Jimmy Lewis by the logo? How do you find it works in the big stuff.....and does the red colour make you go faster?...

Barely paddled it.
From what me and Helmy have done, it is just right.
Lovely single concave transitioning to double concave.
Hard rails all the way forward a bit different.
Red is always faster.
Particularly with stripes!

That's somewhat encouraging Nozza with regard to hard rails running further forward...

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Nozza said..

GizzieNZ said... This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Sorry Giz, didn't realise it was that sensitive.
No intention to post in the wrong spot, or offend anyone.
Or almost anyone.
I just greened you to cancel the dickhead who red thumbed you.
Just the story of my last year paddling, enjoying SeaBreeze, and like you getting wet nearly every morning.
None of the boards mentioned are current models, or even available for sale.
I have no affiliation with SIC, or any of their distributers or retailers, all / both of whom I think are particularly useless here in Victoria, or incompetent, whichever is worse. Mostly just invisible.
I like the older SIC boards more than the current range.
My post prompted discussion about what people like to paddle, or what they would like to be able to paddle or buy, and to me that equates as healthy criticism of the currently available boards, regardless of brand, and relevant discussion about the relative merits of various boards.
if it was meant to be some where else, I am sorry.
Here is a picture of my current favourite board.
I won't bore you with talk of who makes it, or review it's performance in any way,
and I have no idea

No worries.....think its the thickest band of red thumb stuff I've ever got. Quite exciting Am probably simply thinking back when Sup The Creek was similarly enthused about a Sunova board......"enthusiasm and good fun" wasn't a factor. It was like wham bam get your post to the board talk and reviews department as soon as you can.
So I guess that I am saying that the forum administrators should be perhaps more transparent or consistent in deciding what posts are deleted from the main sup forum because the post is about a specific brand board (I see it happening all the time)......and which ones are allowed to remain even though they are about a different specific name board?

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GizzieNZ said..

Nozza said..

GizzieNZ said... This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Sorry Giz, didn't realise it was that sensitive.
No intention to post in the wrong spot, or offend anyone.
Or almost anyone.
I just greened you to cancel the dickhead who red thumbed you.
Just the story of my last year paddling, enjoying SeaBreeze, and like you getting wet nearly every morning.
None of the boards mentioned are current models, or even available for sale.
I have no affiliation with SIC, or any of their distributers or retailers, all / both of whom I think are particularly useless here in Victoria, or incompetent, whichever is worse. Mostly just invisible.
I like the older SIC boards more than the current range.
My post prompted discussion about what people like to paddle, or what they would like to be able to paddle or buy, and to me that equates as healthy criticism of the currently available boards, regardless of brand, and relevant discussion about the relative merits of various boards.
if it was meant to be some where else, I am sorry.
Here is a picture of my current favourite board.
I won't bore you with talk of who makes it, or review it's performance in any way,
and I have no idea

No worries.....think its the thickest band of red thumb stuff I've ever got. Quite exciting Am probably simply thinking back when Sup The Creek was similarly enthused about a Sunova board......"enthusiasm and good fun" wasn't a factor. It was like wham bam get your post to the board talk and reviews department as soon as you can.
So I guess that I am saying that the forum administrators should be perhaps more transparent or consistent in deciding what posts are deleted from the main sup forum because the post is about a specific brand board (I see it happening all the time)......and which ones are allowed to remain even though they are about a different specific name board?

I think the difference is whether a person is "coming out" and expressing their love for a board (or collection of boards) versus actually providing a review.

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GizzieNZ said..
This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the point Gizman.

ET.

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E T said..

GizzieNZ said..
This is surely a "board talk and reviews" topic ??? Can occasionally be occasions when the general punter wonders how some posts get swiftly shunted to the board talk department and for others there seems to be a different protocol. Maybe there is a forum advertiser involved ?

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the point Gizman.

ET.

I actually think this forum should be devoted to only those who ride 12'6" surfsups at Makorori Point Gisborne NZ. I actually ride a 9'7"surfsup of the same un-named brand, but it wouldn't fit the criteria and would go into Board reviews for sure. As a result, I could then watch those 12'6 surfsup vids from GizzieNZ at the point uninterrupted ..they are awesome, and interestingly enough, I'd watch them, and enjoy them, no matter what thread they were found in....

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I think the difference is whether a person is "coming out" and expressing their love for a board (or collection of boards) versus actually providing a review.

I get Nozza's photos and blog of his daily paddling pursuits, hahaha not only is he is a Sic k man, he is also a mixture of a kid at heart and an aged frother too......

Nozza, lovely boards. Have you got a pic of those four SIC boards lying belly-up? The differences in the rockers is fascinating, especially differences between the custom F16 and the Bullet 17. It's a bit hard to judge how similar they are when they are belly-down and the picture is taken at a slight angle. It almost looks in the picture like the F16 rocker is lower than the Bullet 17, but I thought that the hallmark of the F16 was that it had more rocker than the Bullet, so I'm wondering if it is just the way the picture has been taken. Cheers.

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Area10 said..
Nozza, lovely boards. Have you got a pic of those four SIC boards lying belly-up? The differences in the rockers is fascinating, especially differences between the custom F16 and the Bullet 17. It's a bit hard to judge how similar they are when they are belly-down and the picture is taken at a slight angle. It almost looks in the picture like the F16 rocker is lower than the Bullet 17, but I thought that the hallmark of the F16 was that it had more rocker than the Bullet, so I'm wondering if it is just the way the picture has been taken. Cheers.

So as not to further upset Gizzie, see Board Talk and Reviews

At the risk of upsetting Gizzie again, quiver update.
Got my hands on a 3 year newer and nearly 4kg lighter 12'6".
Prettier too.
Too windy to try the standing up shot again.
Old 12'6" has already found a new home



Loving it!