I want to do the LOC next year, but not wanting to do it on my Futura's (not for my first time anyway!)so I was thinking about a JP freestyle wave or a Starboard equivalent. I dont wave sail, so I have no idea about these boards.
Any suggestions?

Larger kode http://www.whatisthekode.com/2010/spec.php
Earlier model kombat 2007.star-board.com/viewpage.php?page_id=32
Futura would be good though.
Give us some more details.
Sails, height, weight, experience.

I sail NCX'S 5.5, 6.5, 7.5

Futura's 93, 101, 122

I weigh 78kg, 172 cm short and have been sailing on and off for 20 years.

I thought about a wave fin on the 93 and moving straps inward, I will do this over winter and see how it feels.

I think your futuras would be fine for the LOC.

I was a bit scared about doing the run on my iSonic (which is a lot more slalom oriented than the futura) but it was fine, no danger of the nose diving in at any point.

Starboard Kode fsw in the 86L + models (80 & less - more pure waveboards).
Kode86 good for freestyle/wave (still tad more wave biased so won't pop like a flare or skate). The Kodes also have very impressive top speed for freeride blasting.
Fanatic fw also fsw, fast, more freestyle than wave biased and more lively ride.
If not after waves or freestyle, go the Futuras - plane early and blistering speed.

the kode looks like a great board but the thing i could never get my head around is why in the world it was built with a US box?

if you are looking for a board for freeride/blasting i'd avoid the kode as fin selection will be a real drama. most freeride fins in todays world are powerbox.

I have done the run Ledge to Lano on 94L JP FSW 2002 model, jp 36 weedy and NP V8 7.5.Review- http://boards.mpora.com/kit/windsurfing-boards/freestylewave-board-medium/page/15
wind about 12-18 knots, i weigh 77 kg www.gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2009-12-26&team=31
Great for running deep down wave faces, weedy good and a must, floaty enough for the lulls. WAve jumps ok but my skill level is beginner waves! (launch land and crash!) Nebbian and I played cat and mouse on the day, conservative sailing, but did it in 1 hour. Race day he did it in 45 min.
Jesper Orth is selling his 2006 LOC winning Sonic 100 slalom board $500 and did lots of ocean practice for 2010 LOC on a Futrura 93- before the move to RRD.
Just wish I had used FSW combo on race day

The FSW seems to be the recomended board of choice for LOC newbies.

I find the bigger Futuras ucomfortable to ride in heavy chop and long runs,

but I am leaning towards the 93 Futura, with some set up changes, AND its the same fin box!!

This is of course assuming the wind is same as this year.

Thanks for the input guys

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Dippa said...

The FSW seems to be the recomended board of choice for LOC newbies.

I am not surprised by that comment. The 93 and 84 L JP FSW are probably the single fastest production free ride boards on the market. Just make sure you swap the stock fin form something better. I'd even venture to say they are faster than some slalom boards.

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stehsegler said...

I am not surprised by that comment. The 93 and 84 L JP FSW are probably the single fastest production free ride boards on the market. Just make sure you swap the stock fin form something better. I'd even venture to say they are faster than some slalom boards.

That seems unlikely, but would be easy to test with a GPS. Some sailors are fast regardless of what they sail.

They are quite a fast board,

Lao Shi got speeds close to 40 knots on a JP FSW so they're not slow by any means!

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Gestalt said...

the kode looks like a great board but the thing i could never get my head around is why in the world it was built with a US box?

if you are looking for a board for freeride/blasting i'd avoid the kode as fin selection will be a real drama. most freeride fins in todays world are powerbox.

They are using US box because you can adjust the fin postion.
This gives better tuning for different use.

a

My Futura 93l feels super turny, and I've got the straps right outboard. Seeing as you can put a single strap at the back and the front ones much inboard, I definitely think it could work in not-quite-full-on wave conditions with a smaller, maneuver oriented fin and sail.

BTW, do you find your Fut101 and 93 feel quite similar? Interesting choice having such close sized boards..

I find the 93 (2008) to be a very dificult board to ride, it feels much smaller than it is,compared to the 101 (2010), which is a fantastic board.
Im told the 2009 93 was quite different in terms of ride.
But I am not a fan of high wind (25+ knts) sailing, so maybe its just me

Well I'm 20 kgs lighter than you so I guess the Futura 93 is a sinker for you. I guess the 2009 shape is probably better overall too.

What fin do you use with it? I'm using a Drake Freeslalom 30cm but I think it's a bit small...

Thanks.

I just used the stock 34cm Drake that came with it, but I have just bought a 30cm flying objects wave fin to try on it.