Since my beloved Isonic 97L disintegrated after very extensive use, I have now Falcon 99L replacement to master.
I wonder if somebody did sail both those great boards and could share the experience.
What is the difference in handling, speed, gybing?If somebody did a switch from one to another for any given reason?
Just after few rides on new Falcon, I did found completely different to Isonic but too early to tell for better or worse (?)

Why did you switch?

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BSN101 said..
Why did you switch?

IS bottom completely delaminated, so not worth to fix it.
But just happen have FF TE recently purchased.
Since I loved IS so much I almost never used FF and was only sitting on the shelve.
If FF is not as good as IS I may have to look for the latest IS....

www.windsurf.co.uk/test-type/slalom-17/

Assuming your I97 was not current...

The falcon 99 is more equivalent to the Isonic 90, falcon is 93 or 94L not 99.

Initial ease of use/tuning I97
Early planing I97
Upwind I97
Across wind I97
Downwind F99
Gybing F99
Control F99
Easier to sail longer F99
Construction F99

Just what I found, havnt spent long on either, I swapped F99 to bigger one quick as I was initially chasing a 100L board, F99 very similar in performance to I90. Falcons less picky with sails, both can be a little picky with some fins, falcon better to stay close to recommended size where isonic could go much smaller. Gybing falcon much better than Isonic though current Isonic equal. The great thing about falcons is if it gets challenging they are pretty happy if you put a freeride sail & fin onto them so more versatile board but as a pure slalom board, planing, average speed across all angles Isonic 97 is slightly better but more physical to use.

Personally I went from Isonics to Falcons & back to Isonics (though im still using some small falcons).

*Downwind is more falcon rides a little more free, they "feel" like they have more gears to go through but the Isonic 90 felt like that too. Peak speed both huge potential & have recorded about the same.

Are you unscrewing vent after sailing? Bottom shouldnt delaminate, especially with gold coast sheltered spots, will normally fail quick if it going to otherwise most last well though between straps underneath will take a bit of abuse.

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mkseven said..
Assuming your I97 was not current...

The falcon 99 is more equivalent to the Isonic 90, falcon is 93 or 94L not 99.

Initial ease of use/tuning I97
Early planing I97
Upwind I97
Across wind I97
Downwind F99
Gybing F99
Control F99
Easier to sail longer F99
Construction F99

Just what I found, havnt spent long on either, I swapped F99 to bigger one quick as I was initially chasing a 100L board, F99 very similar in performance to I90. Falcons less picky with sails, both can be a little picky with some fins, falcon better to stay close to recommended size where isonic could go much smaller. Gybing falcon much better than Isonic though current Isonic equal. The great thing about falcons is if it gets challenging they are pretty happy if you put a freeride sail & fin onto them so more versatile board but as a pure slalom board, planing, average speed across all angles Isonic 97 is slightly better but more physical to use.

Personally I went from Isonics to Falcons & back to Isonics (though im still using some small falcons).

*Downwind is more falcon rides a little more free, they "feel" like they have more gears to go through but the Isonic 90 felt like that too. Peak speed both huge potential & have recorded about the same.

Do you think all the slalom board brands are about the same or are these 2 head & shoulders above. I'm on 2015 JP66&78 2017SB US147. Others that I sail with are on 2016 FF (still not used them) & IS107 2016, 87 & US147.
Dave

The new Goya are superquick.if you can get hold of one . Proton series.plus they all foil ready

Good topic. I've just replaced my 2008 89ltre falcon with a 2017 87ltre isonic so I'll be interested to see how they compare. I'll mainly be using it in flatwater as I have a excocet RS2 for comfort in the chop. Unfortunately I'll have to wait until my shoulder gets good to try the new board..

I havnt tried too much else lately as havnt been sailing much but most brands are pretty equal imo, not much new happening in slalom boards. Everything is a compromise so say comparing current isonic with previous they improved ease of use, gybing etc but in moderate winds & closer to the wind they maybe washed off a little speed compared to previous, but then probably you end up faster overall because you are more settled on new shape.

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mkseven said..
Are you unscrewing vent after sailing? Bottom shouldnt delaminate, especially with gold coast sheltered spots, will normally fail quick if it going to otherwise most last well though between straps underneath will take a bit of abuse.I

I admit that ISonic bottom delamination is completely at my fault. What happens first what some soft spots on the upper surface near front foot straps. ( maybe from gybing and heels? I don't know) . It was tolerable for some time but suddenly small crack appears, suck some water and in few days whole board was gone - bottom delaminated completely.So here could be advice for many - to check the upper surface for soft spots.
Specifically, near foot straps and I suspect along the path where mast could hit board during catapult - not the nose but on the side near foot straps. Left untreated possibly quickly finish like my belove ISonic.Such catapult could happen unintentionally to everybody - for me while catching common here crab lines on Gold Coast. Then your sail rather lands on the side of the board, not front like -early beginners do.
Left untreated possibly quickly finish like my belove ISonic.So please give your board good massage to check for soft spots next time you are sailing.But, hell, I don't know what to do when you detect some ...

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Macroscien said..

mkseven said..
Are you unscrewing vent after sailing? Bottom shouldnt delaminate, especially with gold coast sheltered spots, will normally fail quick if it going to otherwise most last well though between straps underneath will take a bit of abuse.I

I admit that ISonic bottom delamination is completely at my fault. What happens first what some soft spots on the upper surface near front foot straps. ( maybe from gybing and heels? I don't know) . It was tolerable for some time but suddenly small crack appears, suck some water and in few days whole board was gone - bottom delaminated completely.So here could be advice for many - to check the upper surface for soft spots.
Specifically, near foot straps and I suspect along the path where mast could hit board during catapult - not the nose but on the side near foot straps. Left untreated possibly quickly finish like my belove ISonic.Such catapult could happen unintentionally to everybody - for me while catching common here crab lines on Gold Coast. Then your sail rather lands on the side of the board, not front like -early beginners do.
Left untreated possibly quickly finish like my belove ISonic.So please give your board good massage to check for soft spots next time you are sailing.But, hell, I don't know what to do when you detect some ...

I've had two boards develop soft spots in front of the foot straps after less than 4 months of sailing 3-4 times a week. Both warrentied so no issues there but it is worth keeping an eye on your boards, the new breed of super light and stiff slalom boards aren't as robust as they used to be.