Hey all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a while and figured I'd start posting. I like this forum better than the others despite being across the world from most of y'all. I just got back into the sport this year after 10+ years away. I was a fairly advanced sailor and starting to feel like my old self out there again. I'm 75kg and I sail in a few of the Great Lakes.
So far in rebuilding my quiver, I've got a '17 JP Supersport 113 and a '13 Tabou 3S 106. I'm in the market for a high wind board for those times when the Tabou is simply too big. It'll be for 23ish - 30+ knots and large chop to head-high mush mostly.

There are currently 2 used boards for sale that I have my eye on. The first is a 2020 Goya One Pro 3 86 and the other is a 2017 Starboard Kode 86 in hybrid carbon ultra construction. Both are in A+ condition. The Kode is about $500 less than the Goya, so with that in mind the two boards are in a dead heat. I can't decide!

Im looking for any and all opinions and advice on either or both boards. I think I just need to read one or two key things that might help lean me one way or the other.

Thanks in advance!

Ten or so years ago I think that some of the freewave boards available were to fast for really throwing around in 30 knot conditions they were so focused on early planning (were magazine tests to blame?) but since then all of the ones I've ridden have had a much better high end. I don't think you could go wrong with either board though I have only sailed the Kode ( which is awesome).

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Al Planet said..
Ten or so years ago I think that some of the freewave boards available were to fast for really throwing around in 30 knot conditions they were so focused on early planning (were magazine tests to blame?) but since then all of the ones I've ridden have had a much better high end. I don't think you could go wrong with either board though I have only sailed the Kode ( which is awesome).

Thanks for your feedback Al - and yes I agree totally. My Tabou 3S is a really fast board for a Freewave. I'm glad it is because being a bit larger (106), I'm using it more in conditions where I want that speed. When it comes to a smaller board though, I want something a little less frenetic and blasty which is also why I want a thruster setup - something that "sticks" a bit more in the rough stuff.

Since making that post a few hours ago, I've been thinking about it a lot (almost obsessively!) and I'm now leaning towards the Kode for a few reasons:

1. it's cheaper
2. it's wider overall (59cm vs 57.5cm) - hoping this could help keep me going better through lulls since I often sail in gusty conditions.
3. it's tail is wider - again, gusty conditions - but then again, the Goya uses a swallowtail which may give it more area at the tail despite being narrower. Any thoughts on swallowtail vs a more traditional pintail?
4. Reputation - It seems to have a strong following

Admittedly I really do like the look of the Goya more but I'm trying not to let such superficial things affect my decision. Also I prefer the powerbox/mini tuttle fin setup on the Goya over the US/slot setup on the Starboard but maybe that's not so important.

Just to make it harder then

The Ultracore Reflex Carbon was fragile as hell in the 18 and 19 models. As its your hi wind model, might be worth thinking about. Ofcourse the 17 may be OK but the advertised construction is the same.

Ultrakode or Kode freewave? My Kode freewave had a tendency to bury the nose in BIG chop . More than likely rider kookness - absolute rocketship in flat to mild chop

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Mark _australia said..
Just to make it harder then

The Ultracore Reflex Carbon was fragile as hell in the 18 and 19 models. As its your hi wind model, might be worth thinking about. Ofcourse the 17 may be OK but the advertised construction is the same.

This one is the hybrid UltraCore carbon - not the reflex carbon. So it's the second-lightest construction - on par with the JP Pro and Goya Pro constructions I believe.

Starboard really needs to name their construction technologies better - it gets confusing!

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HotBodMon said..
Ultrakode or Kode freewave? My Kode freewave had a tendency to bury the nose in BIG chop . More than likely rider kookness - absolute rocketship in flat to mild chop

This is the Kode Freewave 86. That's interesting to hear. I wonder if the diving nose could be corrected with mast track placement and/or Footstrap position. What year was/is your Kode? Is it the 86? I'd love to hear more of your Impressions.

Kode freewave could be a bit big in heavy winds. While the goya be more true to size.

I would expect the kode to be faster, earlier to plane, the goya more fun in the turns, better control at the high end and in the air.

In regards to construction I would second what people have already mentioned. My wood version of 2013 seems ok, carbon not so much!

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CoachMcGuirk said..

HotBodMon said..
Ultrakode or Kode freewave? My Kode freewave had a tendency to bury the nose in BIG chop . More than likely rider kookness - absolute rocketship in flat to mild chop

This is the Kode Freewave 86. That's interesting to hear. I wonder if the diving nose could be corrected with mast track placement and/or Footstrap position. What year was/is your Kode? Is it the 86? I'd love to hear more of your Impressions.

Hey coach , Mine was the 86 2014 so a bit different to the 2017 but still has the 'bullet nose rocker'.
Yes , mast track and straps were adjusted back to counteract my problem but funny enough it's the only board I ever had to do that too?
The pros seem to shred the board in waves so I guess it was just me

First off, apologies for posting this thread in the "General" section. It should have gone into "Gear Reviews". Mods feel free to move it.

just wanted to send an update. I went with the Kode Freewave for a couple reasons: it was significantly less money than the Goya, it was in mint condition, and I feel that with the gusty conditions I often find myself in it will probably carry me through the lulls better.

I got it today and now just have to wait out the worst of winter before I can get it wet. Hopefully it will see action by mid-March. Thanks to all who shared their insights!