Last week I demo'ed a Fanatic Newwave 75L board for 2 days in 20kts+ (on 5.3 naish force), had an awesome time, and immediately put money down on a new 81L version (just for a bit more float when the wind drops, and it should carry my 5.9 better). Unforunately it turns out that there is none in the country, and I'm not the patient type. So looking for an alternative, what boards would you guys suggest?

I sailed the newwave in bump+jump conditions (I intend on sailing in waves too), I thought that:
-it planed early (was planing as early, if not earlier then anyone else out there and I was easily on the smallest sail+board combo)
-it turned really nice and was controllable, I managed to carve gybe it easily in the flat and in the chop (could plane through gybes in the flat), and even managed to tack it fairly easily cause it holds speed good through the turns.
-it held speed through turns meaning I could get lots of better air of jumps I usually wouldn't be able to hit because the jumps here are usually upwind.

Note I am comparing this to my usual board which is a 96L freestyle board.

What I didn't like was that it was a little too lose in the tail, the fin was fairly chewed up, and probably not the right fin for the conditions, so not really a huge issue. And wasn't quite enough float when the wind dropped (hence me going for the 81L).

Anyway, based on this, can you guys who have sailed this kinda gear point me in the direction of some boards that I should also look into?

Need!:
-fastish, good speed through turns.
-early planing!!!
-80-85L range (I weigh 70-75kg, depending on the day, and if i got a wetty on lol)
-use in about 17ish-30kts (needs to carry 5.9, 5.3, 4.5, prob not really the 5.9)
-probably mostly used in bump+jump, and will let me graduate into more wave sailing as opportunities arise.
-new or second hand is both okay.

*edit* I am trying to demo as many diff boards as I can, but work is conspiring against me, whilst simultaneously providing me with the means. Working 8 hours everyday this week (sat+sun as well), to pay for the 81newwave, until it turned out there was none in stock.

www.carbonart.co.nz

sh1ts on anything else (and I love Fanatics)

What about the Fanatic Allwave 70something litre or 82 - there were some clearance stocks goin - they always get a good write up.

If you're doing more B&J you should try the new JP FSW 78, I have the 92l. The tail on the new 09 is now thinner and more pulled in. It's stepped up quite a bit in it's wave'ability.

This board is fast with very good speed through turns. I'm not sure of it's early planning characteristics as yet. It's there but seems to need just the right trim given the wave'ier tail shape, bu I've only used it a couple of times underpowered.

It really sounds like you would be better off looking at one of the many freestyle wave/cross over style boards that are out there rather than a dedicated wave board.

Something that is dedicated for waves will turn on a dime, but may not have the speed you are keen on.

Essentially the question you ask is a bit like how long is a piece of string, and everyone will tell you the board they currently ride is the best ever - which may be true, although it may also be to justify the 2k they just dropped on it.

You are more than welcome to have a few runs on my gear if you ever come across me, just sing out. I have a Tabou pocket wave and a Tabou 3S (which is a FSW style board), both of which should give you some idea on the feel of the different styles.

JP FSW: more freeride
RRD FSW: still an early planer for a wave-cross-fsw but a bit more wavey

I'd pick an RRD FSW in your volume range and get a fin 2cm shorter than stock as an additional .... will loosen it up in the waves a bit

carbonarts seem like really awesome boards, but despite that, i'm not willing to buy a board based purely off word of mouth.

as far as FSW boards go, I haven't really looked at them yet, because thou at the moment i'm mainly sailing in bump+jump conditions i'm mainly looking for a wave board, and i don't mind compromising some speed. I was more then happy with the speed of the newwave i demoed, I'm looking more for ability to carry speed through turns, rather then straight line speed. I don't really care at all about the boards freestyle ability, after sailing in waves I've realised it is exponentially better then anything in flat water. Plus after I finish my year of uni I do plan to move somewhere with more wave access. I will try and demo a FSW thou.

I don't really want to buy JP thou, more due to not being a huge fan of the shop/rather then brand aversion. But I have heard good things and would like to demo a JP RWW if given the chance.

Basically I was more then happy with the "wave" oriented boards performance in bump&jump so I don't want to sacrifice wave performance for better flat water sailing.

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swoosh said...

i'm not willing to buy a board based purely off word of mouth.

Why not? thats what 99% of twin fin owners have done.

A board to consider is the naish global wave 78 or 83 ( you can get the run out stock for $1899).
It is a good wave board but also good for crossover / flat water use due to the flatter rocker to keep it going or get it going, and the front footstraps have two options -inboard or outboard- to make it feel more comfortable on the flatter water.
I enjoyed the 87 in bump and jump mode with 5.3's plus.

Cheers
Paul

My weapon of choice is the Acid 74 (08)

Great for bump and jump, fast and smooth, good sail range 4.0 to 5.5.
It's probably not the best board for onshore frontside waveriding. I think some of the stubbies are better at this. The Acid is more at home in cross shore DTL waveriding.

I doubt you could go wrong with most of the brands, as I think the overall standard of these boards is super high. If there were two boards I would love to test sail they would be the Fanatic Allwave 80 and the Kode 80. I had a small sail on a Kode 68 and was impressed.

Al

What about Exocet, they make a fast wave board. Al Green at Caloundra has them. I had an 85L which worked 4.1m to 5.8m (at the time I was 86kg).