Board Recommendations please!

dsgrntlxmply · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 255

I have a JP X-Cite Ride 134L and am not very happy with it. I will be the first to admit that my skill level is not high, and that I do not adapt rapidly to changes, so those factors must be taken into account.

The board that I sail more frequently is an RRD Fireride 155L twin-fin. I got the JP to try to progress downwards in board size.

My first complaint with the JP, and one where skill level seems less directly relevant, is its fragility. The second time I had it out, a strong gust picked it up on the beach and plopped it down on a pointy rock. The rail cracked like an eggshell.

My second complaint is that the 44 cm fin that is supplied with the board, seems absurdly large for the sails that I use with it: 4.5-5.7 and occasionally 6.4. A 36 cm fin works much better for me. If the day's forecast looks like it is going to be 7.3, I'd have the RRD 155 out instead of the JP.

My third complaint may just be related to skill level and slow learning, combined with some design factor that is much different than the RRD. When I come up from a waterstart, and even more so when I uphaul, the JP board wants very much to point upwind, and it is difficult to get headed back off. I know that this board requires more active back foot steering than I need to use on the RRD, but the behavior still seems strange.

I had hoped that the JP would be better for me in higher winds and choppier water, but so far it has been only more annoying than fun.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Every complaint you have about your JP is a function of inexperience. Even the fact that you leave your board unattended on the beach in the wind tells us such. Look hard at your skill level before you consider a board change. It would be money not well spent....

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I consider myself at least advanced, closer to top expert in rec sailing, and one of my most fun boards is the old 145 Shark. Powered up, it's fast enough, and underpowered, it planes easily in the straps and powers thru jibes like I was a better pilot than I am.
I do like Isobar's suggestion thoigh, and it's a bretheren to the Shark, a little livelier, a little bouncier, and a little less momentum coming out of jibes. Not better, not worse, but different.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

You are comfortable in the foot straps & harness but have only hit 24 mph. Your most used sail is a 9.5 @ 185 lbs. You have the skills for a smaller board but do you have the wind? A 24 max speed tells me you don't get much wind, even in the gusts so getting a much smaller board could end up being a trophy that you never use. You'd probably be better off spending the money on a windsurf vacation.

Unless you have an alternative place to sail with more wind I would say:

1) Kona
2) Replace your viper with a freeride board between 75-85 cm wide.

Don't shop for boards by volume, shop for them by width & sail range that you will use, not wish you could use.

Coachg

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Good advice from coachg, +1.

Rule #3: Buy/rig what you need to go sailing, not what you want to sail.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

bse · Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Posts: 34

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

Key factor is the largest sail you want to use on the board. If you are wanting more lively better ride but still use the 9.5, then you shouldn't go too small. 130 L with a 9.5 is doable sort of for a skillful sailor but not too fun or easy. If this stepdown board is to take 7.5 max sail, then a broad range of size is usable from 100 L up to about 140 L. My choice in this range would be dictated mostly by wind quality; the more inconsistent the wind, the larger the board to maximize planing. dhmark

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

Yes, Kona One. Again, don't get wrapped up in volume, focus on board width. The Kona is 70 or so cm wide with a step tail so it does not feel like a 220 liter board. Plenty of boards in the 75-85 cm range for you to choose from. 75 cm boards wont be as happy with a 9.5 as an 85 cm board will but will perform much better with 7.0 or so sail.

To me it sounds like you have reached the end of your Vipers ability and seek more performance utilizing the sails you have. There are plenty of inexpensive freeride boards that will out perform your Viper. I'm guessing that with any freeride board your GPS speed will immediately jump up to 27 mph or more. Believe me, you will notice the 3 mph difference even without a GPS.

Coachg