Starboard similar to JP super light wind 154 ??

[P@t]

Hi,
The idea is how to bring people on a super wide freeride board.
JPs Super Light Wind name of the board is a good marketing strategy.
An Isonic 150 acts as a deterrent to me because Isonics are thoroughbred racing machines.

[Deja Vu]

I think SB has a light wind blaster with the IS150! The more I sail this board the more I like it. The JP 154 certainly looks interesting and is definitely worth a look - looks great in the video. I've finally spent some quality time on the 150 with a 9.3 (race sail) a 8.6 (Mk III) and a 8.2 (race sail) and if you're not overly aggressive at initiating the gybe this thing is a lot of fun and you can come out with really good speed. I was having some problems with spin out when I aggressively entered the gybe which gave me some pause about how this board gybed, but now I'm very enthusiastic. I also have the WC Is131 and its is really a tough call when it comes to choosing which board to take. If I am going 9.0 or bigger then it is usually the 150 because it is so comfortable with the bigger sails and it smokes. I own a JP slalom and JP Formula and there's no doubt they're exemplary boards, but I tend to favour the SB boards for they're amazing all round qualities.

[Joe]

I picked up a JP SLW 90 - here's my take.
I have rode once for about 1 hr last saturday so take it for what it's worth.
This board replaces my SB F161 - both sailing 10.0 Sailworks retro
JP - using a 64 drake fin
Wind 5 - 10knots and then a front came through - 10-12 knots - water 2-3' chop/waves - lake huron
- weight 190lbs
First impressions:
- At the start - no planning (5-10knots). When the front came through planning easily (10+ knots)
- planning similar wind to 161
- less pumping required than 161
- not as fast as 161
- easier jibing
- much easier in chop/waves!
- easy to sail on reach (I though the 161 was easy on a reach as well)
- upwind/downwind - didn't really try extreme angles but no problems squeezing up or downwind
- not sure I like the raised footstrap - it will take some time to get used to
- weighs about the same as 161
- I probablly will try a 70cm fin next time for light wind and the stock 56 with an 8.5
The reason I bought the slw was to have a board for lightwind that it is still comfortable in the chop/waves that we get on lake huron. It was much more comfortable to sail through this than my 161.
Joe

[BelSkorpio]

Hi Joe,

Interesting.
I see that you have only 1 small negative point, i.e. it's slower than the 161.
This surprises me a bit, because you also say that it goes easier through chop.
No planing at 5-10 knots does not surprise me because I also need with my 161 a sail of 11.8 m2 to get planing in these conditions. I weigh the same like you.

[Joe]

Speed is always hard to tell. I didn't have a gps on. But it felt noticeably slowly than my 161 - I think that's why is was more manageable in the chop - less speed = more control. 161's are fast!
I will be out on it agian this weekend (hoperfully) and will elaborate more.

[Joe]

I haved sailed the jp slw a few more times now...
- great in chop / waves - I've sailed in 1 m swell 15-20knots with an 8.5 - way better than a f161 in the rough stuff
- planing - doesn't plane as early as a f161 for me or glide through the lulls as easily (both with a 10.0 retro) - I even tried a 70cm fin
- easier to plane without pumping
- jibing - turns well - keeps speed in turn
- upwind - using a 64cm rakes fin - not even close to a 161 upwind - speed & angle
Overall - my impression is that this a great board as advertised - better for reaching and blasting than a fw

[BelSkorpio]

Hi Joe,

would you give up your 161 for the jp slw ?

[Joe]

Yes already done - no regrets.
If my spot was flatter, I would have kept the 161.
Joe