Light-wind Blaster 140-155L - iSonic or Futura?

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by PG

These comparative tables, are those the work of ChrisN rather than the Surf Test team? Or can they be downloaded in German somewhere?

What strikes me is the conflict between what Surf actually wrote "For us the Bird 149 is the Board in the test with the characteristics that best matches the power sails available and allows the joy of planning in the lower wind-ranges." and the result in the tables which ranks the Bird 149 as the worst board in the bunch... The outcome is of course different if the objective is to use a 10 m2 race sail on the boards (which probably does not do much for early planing).

PG, if you read my text in detail you would have realized that SURF never really provided their customary table, thus I made them myself. I attach the Excel workbook where you can see all the table and play around with the scores per parameter per board and weights per category. The sheet then estimates the scores. ENJOY

On the Lorsch Bird 149, I gave it the highest scores in "Passive Planning" and "Comfort & Handling", yet they were slower than the SLW, Formula and Slalom boards. Check out the extracted texts in the final tab of the workbook. In general and according to SURF, while the BIRDs win on early planning without pumping, I felt that they scored lower than the competition in many other areas (e.g. sailing through wind-holes/lulls, etc).

I think that I agree with KEN though; If you want to plan early you need to use BIG sails and BIG fins, that's why the Formula boards are unbeatable in early planning (yet it seems that they need a lot of pumping in <10knts conditions given their curve).

I will certainly plan to go for max-size sails (10-11 m2) for my iS150 or SLW90, and pick the lightest construction possible...

Hang loose

[ChrisN]

Ups, forgot to attach the Scoring spreadsheet for SURF'sLight Wind Boards Test- here it is...

[ChrisN]

Well folks the quest has ended

Check out the JP SLW90 killer - the brand new UltraSonic 147, which is actually provided in CARBON with a weight of 7,2 kgs!

Given the recent SURF test, it seems that this board will be even better than the iSonic 150, as it just as Wide, yet Longer AND in Lighter constructions. Certainly, this is the fabled "Light Wind Blaster" able to handle large fins (up to 62cm) and large sails (up to 11,5m2)!

Check out the picture below and the full thread at windsurfing44.com (thanks to KVDA for the link):



Funny how SB has kept us on our toes for so long

ChrisN

[Remi]

Hi All,

iSonic 150 was a machine for light winds with 10m, the new Ultra Sonic 147 make a big step and plane earlier and easier and can use bigger sails & fins.

In non planing condition, it will be more stable also a point who was not so funny on the iSonic 150 with bigger sails.

Star-Board continue to propose and increase their ultimate light winds boards since many years, this start with the Free Formula.

Enjoy it

All the best

[mark h]

I love this time of year choosing new kit The 2011 look wicked, spoilt for choice I'm think of one of the following:

Keep my old F161, and get the the iS107 carbon & iS137 carbon to replace the 08 iS111/144 (probably go with this)

or

iS147 carbon and iS107 carbon to replace the F161, iS144 and iS111?? (2 boards would get used more often)

I would really like to try the new iS147 this comming season, but also, I love my old iS144/9m combo, super fast 2:5 wind/speed ratio in light winds, so the iS137 is probably even more fun. Mmmm, tough call ??!!

[IRL-250]

New boards look awsome, just got to save some cash now and think i'll change over my 144 for the 137, keep the 111 and maybe change my 86 for the 87 if i can get a decent price for the 86

Was thinking of getting a new Starboard formula board to replace my Lorch Formula but think i'll keep it for the odd day i want to sail formula as i'm loving cruising around in light winds on my new Phantom and now prefer the Phantom to the Formula in light winds up to 12 knots and i think i'd regret getting rid of the formula kit all together but can't justify replacing the Lorch for a new formula board considering how little use my formula kit will get from now on.

[Remi]

Hi Mark H & Alstair,

The iSonic 137 make a big step, as you know the 2009 & 2010 was same shape and 137 have the same modification as all 2011 range. Perfect for very heavy guys who wan't something in the PWA rules.

The very nice size for the Ultra Sonic 147 is 9.7 but this board is out of the PWA box, so if you want to race under this rules better to choose the iSonic 137. If not you can put up to 11m on it and replace your Formula for recreation sailing in super light winds or Longue Distance race.

All the best

[mark h]

Hi Remi

iS137 and iS107 for me then It's been a pleasure owning the iS144 for the last 2-years, Iv'e really enjoyed the speed and control in 9m weather.

The wind in the UK for 2010 have been really light and gusty so far, the 9m/XL slalom has been my most used board (and occasional formula use), this time last year we had great winds and the W44/W53 and 5.8m were my most used sails, missing those high winds but XL slalom has been fun.

It makes good sense for me to stay with the iS137 carbon. Looking forward to getting them both (and the new W58)

[Remi]

Hi Mark H,

Enjoy them, good choice.

All the best

[IRL-250]

Hi Remi,

Gonna go with the I Sonic 137 myself as i love the extra volume in the 144 so want something similar as i'm 100 kg. I plan to do some slalom events as well so need my light wind slalom board to fit the 85cm wide rule.

I'll keep my formula as well as i think the Ultra Sonic 147 will be too close to the I Sonic 137 to make it a worthwhile purchase and hopefully i might get back into doing some formula events in the future so will need a board for that.

I love my I Sonics and can't wait to see what the new boards are like on the water.

Thanks for the advice Remi