Hi, new here so first let you introduce myself, my name is Martin and am a UK windsurfer and have been doing this fun sport of ours for the last 28 years on and off. I lost interest many years ago as I wasn't progressing but have been pushing myself to get better since I bought some new kit back in 2008. I have now cracked the carve gybe and drop very few even in rougher water. I currently own a 2014 Starboard Ultrasonic, a 2013 JP supersport 124 (Pro edition) and have recently purchased a Starboard AtomIQ 110.

Both Starboards are definitely staying but am wanting to change the JP for an Isonic, question is which one? I have got it down to two, the 110 and 117, I will be using it only with 7.8 and 8.6 twin cam sails (might get Severne Overdrive's at a later date) as I am not racing just for the thrill. The reason I want a slalom board is simple, the freerace board is easily maxed out and I feel I want more. I will be using it only in flat water and I currently weigh in at 86Kg.

I was primarily looking at getting a 2014 model but they have both 2013 110 and 117 carbon models in stock here in the UK for a ridiclously cheap price but without sounding big headed money isnt the issue, getting the right board first time is.

I know both sizes will take the sails comfortably but what would be better for a non-racer considering their can be big lulls where I sail.

There seems to be quite a few very knowledgeable slalom sailors on here so this is why I am posting this in the hope that I can get a definitive answer for someone.

Thanks in advance for your answers, Martin

Hi Martin,
I would never consider myself to be a very knowledgeable slalom sailor, however I could offer this.

You are replacing a 124 board. Sounds like the 117 suits your purposes better than 110.

There can be big lulls where I sail. Sounds like a 117 to keep you planing thru the lulls.

Buy a 2013.... cheaper. Must still be almost the same board.

Firstly I have no experience with an AtomIQ although knowing it is about 75cm wide??(I think) and the Ultrasonic being 93cm wide the 81cm iS117 would probably be a logical choice - in saying that though;

I'm 94kgs and have both the iS117 (2012) & an iS110 (2013). The iS117 gets up and planing with incredible ease (as would your ultrasonic) but the 110 is faster and more controllable when things get rough and is a perfect combo with a 7.8/8.6 (as is the 117). IMO as you sail flat water and only weigh 86 the iS110 would be a better board even though it's the same width as the AtomIQ, the performance between the two would be very different. I think you'll be happy with either choice you make.

Hi mcross19!
If you want to be fast, you should buy the 110 it has a big range, the 110 is 230 x 75.5 same size as your JP 124 you already have the ultrasonic for light wind.
Good sailing.

Thanks guys for your feedback. The Atom110 is indeed similar in width to the isonic 110 but is 1cm narrower on the max width but a lot narrower with its ofo measurement. In fact it has the same scoop rocker line and length. I bought this board for the days when the wind is light and the swell big and it does this job perfectly with sails around 7m.

As for the Ultrasonic I use it with both a 10m race sail from point 7 and the 8.6m Severne Turbo, it works well with both. Putting the 8.6 on the JP it has another gear and I have done almost 30 knots with this combo (the JP is 73cm) so when I drop down from the US to the JP with the 8.6 I am usually well powered up.

Sausage, as you are heavier and using the 2013 model I guess from what I read that the 2014 110 version takes the bigger sails better so I think I will go for this option.

Can anyone tell me what size fins they use on the isonic 110 with 8.6 and 7.8m sails? I am guessing a 43 and 41 would probably do the job?

Lastly would there be any benefit in changing the twin cam sails for triple cam sails?

Thanks

mcross,
I've successfully used a 44 F-Hot carbon in the iS110 with my 8.6 and a 40cm C3 StingII with the 7.8 and 7.0 (Loft Racing Blades). In the iS117 I just use the 44F-hot for both 8.6/7.8 combos.

Twin cam versus triple cam versus four cam sails - most sailors say there is very little difference performance wise between 3cam sails (e.g Severne Overdrive, Loft Switchblade, KA koncepts etc) and respectively their full blown racing sails (e.g. Reflex, Racing Blade, KA Race). Twin cam in big sizes similar to say an Ezzy Lion (I think) would be just as good in lighter winds but potentially the 3rd cam offers that little more stability in higher winds (and through lulls) and then when you get ballistic winds (say +30kn) speed sailors tend to get a full on race sail (<6.0m) with 4 cams for maximum foil stability. One major benefit with the 3 cam or two cam is smaller luff sleeve eliminating difficulty in water starting / uphauling if luff fills with water.

here's a great thread on the Overdrives too www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/2014-Severne-Overdrive-R5/

I agree, go the 110. Awesome board. I own one. I think the 117 would be too close to your Ultrasonic.

Thanks again guys, sounds like the credit card is going to get some abuse tomorrow!

Mate do yourself a favour and have a look at RRD boards, best thing i ever done was to switch from Starboard to RRD .
I have a freestyle wave for the windier days and a Firemove for lighter days...

Yer 110 a great board im also around 86kg. I haven't tried a 8.6 on it yet as my biggest sail is a 7.8 these days.
7.8 and 110 is a great combo with a 40 or 42 Fin.

Xtreme, I already own an RRD LTD FSW 101L from 2011, it is my high wind board for 5 and 5.5m sails, I like it but it is so fragile. The Atom is Starboard equivalent of the firemove and was dithering what one to buy but the price of the Starboard swung it for me.

Vando, so when you have used the 110 (I'm presuming it's a 2014 model) with the 7.8 does it feel like it could take bigger?? I already own a 41cm Carbon Fin from F-Hot which is quite a powerful fin so I will give that a go when it all arrives.

The 110 will comfortably take an 8.6.

Thanks Phil.

Does anyone use this board with a 7m? Or does everyone change to the 97?

Martin, I had the 2013 117 which I really liked. I sold that and got the 2014 110. I like this board even better. It has so much range and takes the 8.6 no problem. The 7.0 feels really good on it and definitely not too small. I would get the 110 and the Drake DW 38, 40 and 42. These fins feel great with the 110.

In retrospect at 70cm wide the iS107 could be an option also considering your weight. They can be comfortably sailed with an 8.6 all the way down to 6.3 although 7.0 & 7.8 would be the sweeter combo. It would give you a board for much windows conditions although it could be just too bigger gap.
Can you take these for a test ride?

Out of interest I comfortably use a 7.8 with an iS97

Mcross i have got a 2014 110 firemove and i am 95+ kgs and my largest sail is 7.2 NP camless sail and i sail it in 16+ knots then change over to 2011 FSW board in the stronger wind and i don't find any of them fragile at all just the opposite..

Xtreme, perhaps it is just the older limited edition RRD's are a bit fragile. If it is a 2014 Firemove then surely it is a 112? I like the Atom but it is purely for when things get rough but are the winds are lighter I.e. Onshore. What NP camless sail do you own, Hellcat, Fusion?

I did seriously consider the 107 but have opted fot the 110, they had one in stock here in the UK, it arrives Tuesday, off to Morocco on Saturday so it will have to wait till I get back for a test drive.

Having trouble getting hold of some Severne Overdrives so will have to make do with the Turbos for the meantime.

Steve I liked the look of the Drake DW fins but after trying the F-Hot fins I will not change, they are fast, drive upwind well and I have never had spin out and all for around the same price, you guys should give them a go, same profile as the Z fins, half the price and tested by Antoine Albeau.

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mcross19 said..

Thanks Phil.

Does anyone use this board with a 7m? Or does everyone change to the 97?

Did actually yesterday. I weigh only 75kls. Wind picked up to 18-20 it was a trying effort to jibe but got winded but as the minutes ticked by and a friend to follow with it wasn't that bad. Board bounces around but still stable most of the time.

That's good to know, probably use the Atom when it's 7m weather.

JP, what was the water state?

Swelly to a little bit of chop Mcross. If only waited for a half hour I would have rigged a bit smaller which would be a 6.2 on same board but couldn't wait. If I have a choice for 2 sails on this 111 board it would be 6.5 and 7.5 but sadly not yet for the moment

Have found a 2013 Severne Overdrive R4 8.6m new for a good price, can anyone tell me if there is much difference between the 2013 and 2014 models?

I think the OD R4 and OD R5 were a big step from the OD R3. Lot of guys here using OD R4/5 and loving them. Probably not a huge difference. I have the OD R5 8.6 and it is working very well on the 110.

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mcross19 said..

Xtreme, I already own an RRD LTD FSW 101L from 2011, it is my high wind board for 5 and 5.5m sails, I like it but it is so fragile. The Atom is Starboard equivalent of the firemove and was dithering what one to buy but the price of the Starboard swung it for me.

Vando, so when you have used the 110 (I'm presuming it's a 2014 model) with the 7.8 does it feel like it could take bigger?? I already own a 41cm Carbon Fin from F-Hot which is quite a powerful fin so I will give that a go when it all arrives.

Personal I think the 7.8 is the perfect size for the 110 nicely Balanced. I have to borrow an 8.6 and take it for a spin

Will pick the board up later today, yipee!

By the way Steve Charles, what weight are you? (hope you don't mind me asking) reason for asking is your fin choices. I have plumped for 40 & 43 for now but will spend the extra on other fins at a later date.