Greetings,

I'm new to forun, and I intend to buy a JP SuperLIghtWinds of 2017.
Can you give us your opinions about this board?
I do WD 3 years.
I am very heavy 110kg / 242Lb, with 1.84m and I have some difficulty in starting to plane. Is this board the best choice?

i am only a little bit lighter than you
and have a JP SLW92 which i describe here
joewindsurfer.blogspot.com/2014/09/jp-super-lightwind-slw.html
a board I use even more is a Mistral Equipe 2 XR carbon longboard
even if it is not planing, it is gliding quickly
on the JP SLW I can use a 10 meter and 8.5 sail
with the 10 meter sail I use a 66 cm Select fin
buddy bought a new JP SLW based on my writings and has not looked back
hope you have as pleasant an experience !!!
good winds !!!

Remember, all the SLW's from every company make the lightest possible board for light wind sailing. They are NOT intended for winds over 20 mph, and they are very fragile in nature, like they ding, dent, and can crack with impacts that don't bother other heavier, more intended towards intermediate sailors type boards.
Don't lay the board without a fin on the ground, unless you know there are no rocks on the ground.
Don't drop the mast onto the side of the board, like when you crash from a jibe attempt.
Don't allow the mast to hit the nose of the board.
Don't drag the board around, ever.
It's a high performance board, intended for use by skilled sailors who can keep upright.

Im a little heavier than you and i have tried just about everything in the hunt for early planing ( except a fragile superlight wind ) . I found that super wide boards are not the best. With our weight they tend to stick to the water before releasing. Something around 150 to 160 litres about 80 wide and long is best. ( Starboard Go or JP Xcite ride etc). Whatever you do dont think a 100 wide formula board is the go ( with a 100kg plus rider they are horrible , they stick to the water like glue and then let go like an uncontrollable cannon ball)

Around 100kg use larger jpslw wood 2013 ish

fragile- yes the lightweight carbon models are susceptible - my ultrasonic has a few bruises. Nothing more than a regular carbon board

the wood jpslw has been through 3 beginner/intermediates and still very much intact. You can certainly see the mast strike history in the board as slight depressions - adds to the character

probably not as bullet proof as a starboard go with nose pad but can easily recommend it as a fat boys board.

The older 2005 GOs 85-90 cm wide get going in similar conditions and probably a little tougher and if you can find one probably more affordable


The later Gos have lost the lightwind planing in favour of other features - we have quite a history of GOs in our group

of all my boards the jpslw is the most ridden in typical SE Qld conditions. Good sailors can get going on smaller gear - I haven't cracked that yet

as joe says depending wind and water depth a longboard may be suitable also

along with slw boards is the need for big sails. ... 9.5ezzy. 9.7 severne reflex

search for lightwind threads on this forum - plenty of discussion


Cheers Jeff
Loving my jpslw
- keen beginner

2nd part of your question- is the lightwind suitable for heavyweight learning to plane?

the breakthrough planing boards for me were the old 2005 Bic techno 283 with 8.5m sails and shortly after in less wind the Jpslw with 8.5 and 9.5 sails

Had some initial success in fanatic viper 85 and a 155l GO. The Jp and Bic were much more reliable and the Kona was an important board in my development

what gear are you using at the moment??

cheers Jeff
any videos?

and yes , there are other options ...
some people are suggesting longer than standard with more volume and less than 90 cm width
this fellow helped design the Kona Hula and feels it is the light wind solution for MANY
.

Hi, is the Super light wind fragile in FWS construction too?

Select to expand quote

Rahal said..
Hi, is the Super light wind fragile in FWS construction too?

Very hard to find them second hand and they keep value pretty well.
I have the Starboard equivalent on the way, Ultrasonic. Can't wait!