Hello. Considering an upgrade to a newer board around Christmas. I wouldn't mind hearing some comparisons for some FreeStyleWave boards from your good selves.

I'd like to be able to pinpoint exactly what I want by then. Looking to use in small surf, bump & jump, flatwater. Sail sizes 4.5 - 6.5 ish. Really looking for a one-board-fits-all replacement, thus the FreeStyleWave models.

Of course there is going to be some biased, mass debating but I think brand loyalty counts for something as it has been earned by the brand by doing something right in the past for the rider to be biased.

I'd be perfectly happy with a JP, always excellent test results and I love the old one I'm riding now (2005 98 litre). They are also far more plentiful second hand in SE SLQ than other brands and models, so are a likely choice just by default.

However, I am really interested to hear some opinions on the Fanatic FreeWave and Starboard Kode. Also any feedback on RRD and Tabou equivalents, and of course all the others I'm forgetting.

Would love to hear if they've changed over the years for better or worse. Would love to hear from people that have switched to another make.

No senseless brand bashing please, like the "KA is ****" guy - you know who you are

I've ridden the 07 FreeWave 86L, and I own a 09 JP FSW 92L. Quick opinion, the fanatic is more wave then freestyle, while the JP is the opposite. However, the boards I tried were different sized so that may have made a fair bit of difference. Also the fin I rode the fanatic with was a wave fin, whereas the JP comes with a freestyle wave fin which I don't think does it any favours performance wise.

I use the JP from 12-13kts up to 20kts. Planes early, and jumps great. Downsides are its pretty jarring through chop once the wind picks up (probably thx to pro edition construction being so stiff) and its a bit porky at the back, the width and volume which make it plane early, also means it loses some carving ability. But end of the day, its a tradeoff I'm willing to make for the light wind performance.

For me the FreeWave was a little too small, and the JP was the right size and price.

I probably will buy something around 85L for those gusty days where you want something smaller, but don't want a sinker incase the wind drops. But I'd prefer a pure wave board for that, so I'll probably get a fanatic newwave.

evlPanda,

Eleven 95L freestyle wave boards tested in March 09 issue of Boards mag, I have digital issue and can send you a free copy. If interested, please forward email via Seabreeze 'email' link above.

Majority of newer freestyle wave board...are really really freeride specially in the range your are looking 90 + or - a few L of volume.

I've bought a Jp 92 2009 and sell it...it was a pure freeride board...I bought a JP freetyle instead, at least it does freestyle properly.

I don,t blame company, as soon as a company build a true freestyle Wave...means good in both..they received a bad coverage, most of the windsurfer in the world are in their 40's...usually with not that good hability and are well serve by a board quick to plane, fast and who cares about wave......they sail inlead...just put the label on the board, it will be OK.

Quatro has a good blend, the 08 Kombat was great... My opinion, if you go JP and prefer by far cruzing around and go sometime in waves, buy a freestyle wave, quite fast, quite lively, but if you want to freestyle...forget about it

If you want wave caracteristics, the RWW..still a fast board.

nord_roi

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swoosh said...

I've ridden the 07 FreeWave 86L, and I own a 09 JP FSW 92L. Quick opinion, the fanatic is more wave then freestyle, while the JP is the opposite.

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NordRoi said...

Majority of newer freestyle wave board...are really really freeride specially in the range your are looking 90 + or - a few L of volume.

I've bought a Jp 92 2009 and sell it...it was a pure freeride board...I bought a JP freetyle instead, at least it does freestyle properly.

I don,t blame company, as soon as a company build a true freestyle Wave...means good in both..they received a bad coverage, most of the windsurfer in the world are in their 40's...usually with not that good hability and are well serve by a board quick to plane, fast and who cares about wave......they sail inlead...just put the label on the board, it will be OK.

Quatro has a good blend, the 08 Kombat was great... My opinion, if you go JP and prefer by far cruzing around and go sometime in waves, buy a freestyle wave, quite fast, quite lively, but if you want to freestyle...forget about it

If you want wave caracteristics, the RWW..still a fast board.

nord_roi

swoosh said...

I've ridden the 07 FreeWave 86L, and I own a 09 JP FSW 92L. Quick opinion, the fanatic is more wave then freestyle, while the JP is the opposite.

Yep, I originally went to buy a RWW, but they had no stock, and it was also just after the aussie dollar crashed over summer, so to get a RWW in would have been much more expensive

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GazMan said...

evlPanda,

Eleven 95L freestyle wave boards tested in March 09 issue of Boards mag, I have digital issue and can send you a free copy. If interested, please forward email via Seabreeze 'email' link above.

How the hell do you share them? I owe you a few copies of Windsurfer. FOr the life of me I can't see where to share!

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evlPanda said...

GazMan said...

evlPanda,

Eleven 95L freestyle wave boards tested in March 09 issue of Boards mag, I have digital issue and can send you a free copy. If interested, please forward email via Seabreeze 'email' link above.

How the hell do you share them? I owe you a few copies of Windsurfer. FOr the life of me I can't see where to share!

Just open up mag you want to share in Zinio reader, click on 'Toolbar Options' button at top right of screen (>>) and click on 'Give a Friend a Free Copy'. I'm not sure if there's a limit to how many copies of one digital issue you can share but I've shared at least 5 of May 07 issue with 430 masts tested!

Not really fussed about getting US Windsurfer issues, they dribble on too much for my liking! Seem to remember I couldn't open the issues you sent me anyway. Boards mag issues would be much appreciated though.

BTW: I've already got following Boards digital issues:
Nov/Dec 05, Apr-May-Jul 07, Apr 08, Mar-Apr 09

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evlPanda said...

However, I am really interested to hear some opinions on the Fanatic FreeWave and Starboard Kode. Also any feedback on RRD and Tabou equivalents, and of course all the others I'm forgetting.

You mean Starboard Kombat don't you? (I think Kode is entry level board)

Gazman - I think they make the Kode in the tufskin also, but it's also produced in woodcarbon, wood, and technora. Smaller sizes are wave orientated while the larger are more for freeride sailing. Maybe the Kode replaced the Kombat? I'm not 100% sure.

If you can have a good Look at the fanatics - and if possible try one out I don't think you would be disappointed.

I have a 08 104 (4.7-6.4) and its pretty damn happy in any environment, floats nicely and feels small for a 104 - jumps sweetly and gets going early bottom turns very nicely feels as good as my Evo and 3/4 of the weight - It replaces my 06 98 freewave which was a great b&J / wave all rounder. Every person I know thats got them loves them (about 5 crew around here - different volumes)

They even make a 113 - I ride my skate 112 in light wind waves and thats OK - a bit of freewave rocker I reckon the thing would be fantastic.

I have had a 05 96 Kombat - a bit sluggish, 04 JP freewave that was like a slalom board and hated waves

The Fanatics just feel good - if they were marketed as much as other well known brands in Australia I'm sure you'd be getting wider feedback on freewaves!!!!

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ejmack said...

Gazman - I think they make the Kode in the tufskin also, but it's also produced in woodcarbon, wood, and technora. Smaller sizes are wave orientated while the larger are more for freeride sailing. Maybe the Kode replaced the Kombat? I'm not 100% sure.

Wasn't really up to speed with 09 Starboard range so decided to check out website (post in 'Windsurfing General' regarding Kode Tufskin used by 'families' misled me!).

Looks like Kombat no longer in range, quite possibly replaced by freewave Kode which is one very classy looking board. Shame about the US box though, why do they persist with this 'ancient' box?

For what it's worth, I've seen numerous JP's trashed locally (not trashed in waves either), uncertain whether they can take much punishment. Really like the Fanatic Freewaves from what I've read, seen and heard and have them at No 2 on my shopping list for next board (Fanatic Hawk at No 1). Also easy choice due to Powerbox fin which I have a good quiver of.

evlPanda,

Re feedback on Starboard Kode, would suggest you do a search in Gear Reviews for past year, already many posts about the Kode range.

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GazMan said...

evlPanda said...

GazMan said...

evlPanda,

Eleven 95L freestyle wave boards tested in March 09 issue of Boards mag, I have digital issue and can send you a free copy. If interested, please forward email via Seabreeze 'email' link above.

How the hell do you share them? I owe you a few copies of Windsurfer. FOr the life of me I can't see where to share!

Just open up mag you want to share in Zinio reader, click on 'Toolbar Options' button at top right of screen (>>) and click on 'Give a Friend a Free Copy'.

Under 'toolbar Options'? What a silly place... anyway, no sharing on the US Windsurfing mags. : ( They do some OK tests, sometimes some good travel articles. The pics are usually very good, excellent even. But yeah, for some reason I still prefer Boards. Better writers I think.

It would be worth while trying a Kode 94l or 86l.