I'm looking to get a 140-160 litre board, and was offered a Styrotech "full carbon" 140.
I'm interested, but just out of "harness and straps" course afraid to buy something I cannot handle.

Anyone reviewed this board? Can't find much on internet.
What does it mean "full carbon"?

You need to buy a user friendly board at your stage, the Styrotech were famous for being full-on performance boards, unless of course this is a new freeride version?

You need something wide, short and modern, something like a Starboard Carve 131 (I personally think this one), or 161 (would be next best), but F2, JP, Bic Tecno 66 (Good board, and they have a larger version), Exocet, Mistral, Naish, Quattro, all have similar freeride boards that you would love!

Width somewhere between 65cm and 80cm, Litreage, bewteen 120 and 160, length, between 235 and 255? to give you some ideas?, measure the Styrotech, Also important Soft rails to the front foot straps, avoid hard edged boxy rails, vee in bottom, some rocker, not a dead flat board.

Full Carbon, means they have used Carbon Fibre as the sandwich material for the divinycel, Herex foam, which means it's expensive, and very stiff, one of the top construction methods.

Hope this helps

Thanks Hardman,

This is all very usefull:
"avoid hard edged boxy rails, vee in bottom, "
"some rocker, not a dead flat board "

Teh characteristics of the board seem good.
I presume "full on performance board" would probably not be good for me at this stage. I'll try to get a pic. Could not find it on internet.

quote:

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Originally posted by Obelix

Thanks Hardman,

This is all very usefull:
"avoid hard edged boxy rails, You need vee in bottom, "
"some rocker, not a dead flat board " Sorry poor grammer

Teh characteristics of the board seem good.
I presume "full on performance board" would probably not be good for me at this stage. I'll try to get a pic. Could not find it on internet.

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Hi Obelix,

I am also a 100+ kg guy and I ride a 2004 JP freeride 158. I find this board planes nearly as early as my formula board but has heaps of control when it starts to pick up and is fast. I picked up mine from WP for $1000. I previously owned a carve131 and whilst it it is a magic board to sail it took more to get it planning but felt about the same size as the JP in stronger conditions.

Cheers,
Chris

Hi reiffo,

What sail do you use with the JP 158?

Hi Obelix,

I use 9.8 nitro, 8.5gtx and 7.0gtx but the 8.5 is spot on for this board. I also upgraded to a couple of select fins and that made a big difference. I consistantly get 31 - 32knot top speeds with 10 sec averages of 29 knots which is pretty good for big gear in moderate to light winds. The best feature of the board is its length, it is long enough(264) to cut through the bow wave without being to long. I have found that with my weight it is extremely hard to pump a short wide board over the bow wave onto the plane. Lighter sailers do not get this as the board does not sit as low in the water. The Kinetic Gladiator 135 would be another option. I have a g115 and have found that it planes like a 120L board but handles like a 105L board.

Cheers Chris