View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
outhaul
Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254
|
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject: windsup first impressions |
|
|
jingebritsen wrote: | i've sailed it 5 times now.
it does everything one would want it to do with a sail. doubt i'll ever give a crap about what it does with a paddle. if one has been following the exploits of the 11'5, then the wind SUP does that board quite a bit better in the lowest of winds and the whimpiest of waves.
planing is another matter. the size and hull shape makes it easy with lots of wind as dc scott has stated. the dagger slot and the size allows for stomp jibes. that's my term for putting tons of back foot pressure that commonly stops a short boarder from planing thru. so, in an ironic twist, the wind SUP will reinforce bad jibes for those stuck in that stage of short board sailing. if one tries to use the front foot like a short board jibe, the whetted surface and dagger slot slows the board down lots.
i have yet to put outboard straps on it coupled with a 9.0 sail or larger. with a 52 cm fin and large sail, i suspect the board will go quite fast and early. the dagger is allegier, not my favorite, so the expectation of high performance from that is low. but, it'll most likely get one upwind to a far off point break, or help teach a beginner.
overall, what a fantastic do all board. to think, it's been laying fallow in the old kona line for a few years. glad it was resurrected as it is now. last saturday, i had one of the better times riding head high and smaller waves all afternoon in 8-16 mph side on winds. fantastic fun.
will it aerial like my favorite 11'5 pic? doubt it, but it sure makes wave sailing even easier. stupid easy at that. |
First time out on the Exocet Windsup, (AST version) waist-high Lake Michigan swell/chop, 20mph side onshore conditions, Ezzy 6.9 Wave Tiger.
This board is everything John said.
The Windsup powered upwind through the swell very smoothly, like a luxury car with a big torquey V-8 motor. The board's ample nose seemed to love pounding the swell and pointed upwind nicely, with or without the daggerboard down, albeit higher with it down.
Reaching back toward shore with the swells, the board really came to life, smoothly accelerating up on plane with virtually no effort and remaining responsive and eager to turn, yet stable under my 215lbs. In short, this board made me look very good in conditions that previously would have been difficult for me to handle with my modest skill set.
Tacking and jibing on the Windsup is a snap. I found taking an extra micro step forward during tacks helped me on this day, the nose is very floaty and forgiving.
The daggerboard operates smoothly and is super easy to kick up and down. Prior to hitting the water I sprayed the gasket area and other contact points with a generous coating of McLube and worked the dagger by hand a dozen or so times.
The Allgaier dagger system chosen for this board is the right choice in my opinion, it performs well enough and is so easy to operate.
Complaints? Maybe a built-in handle for easier carrying, although grabbing the dagger handle works.
The board's name, Windsup. I'm sure this was chosen to better tap into the exploding SUP market. While I have yet to paddle it, the board deserves more windsurfing cred.
Yes, this is based on only one outing, but as the old adage goes, first impressions are often correct.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kjue
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 2
|
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Kjue
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
allenleetc
Joined: 02 May 2011 Posts: 3
|
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi,
Does anybody have an opinion on how the WindSUP compares to the KonaOne? Originally I had thought the WindSUP was smaller, but looking now at the specs they seem very similar.
I'm an intermediate windsurfer and looking to buy a versatile "oneboard" and these two are at the top of my list.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
outcast
Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
norcom
Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 137
|
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Kona One doesn't make a good SUP. It doesn't track worth a damn. It's great to sail though. I also have the Bic Jungle Wind but it doesn't plane worth a damn. It's awesome for sailing in waves and gets you past the shore break in super light wind. If you want to go fast in flat water, it drags. It tracks MUCH better than the Kona paddling.
I'm thinking of picking up a dedicated SUP now; something that tracks well and goes fast with a paddle. The "one board" for everything just doesn't work unless you're willing to give up performance somewhere.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
|
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
allenleetc wrote: | Hi,
Does anybody have an opinion on how the WindSUP compares to the KonaOne? Originally I had thought the WindSUP was smaller, but looking now at the specs they seem very similar.
I'm an intermediate windsurfer and looking to buy a versatile "oneboard" and these two are at the top of my list. |
Both boards are the same volume and about the same length, but the Kona is thicker and narrower (70 cm wide) and the WindSUP is thinner and wider (80 cm wide). The extra width and lower center of gravity makes the WindSUP a lot more stable to stand on for SUP, and I think makes it plane earlier, too.
Though less stable and slower to plane, the Kona should have better windsurfing speed and upwind angle with the daggerboard in non-planing conditions. The Kona daggerboard system is also stiffer and more robust and powerful than the WindSUP daggerboard system. I.e. it will be harder to operate the Kona daggerboard with your foot, but you won't get any water squirting up through the slot when you're planing.
_________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
|
Back to top |
|
|
outcast
Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724
|
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Norcom said it...it's all a compromise
A fast paddling board not neccessarily bad to sail.....would like to stick a sail on this thing (Offshore sailboat racing hull shape):
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
197.11 KB |
Viewed: |
20200 Time(s) |
|
_________________ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=zw0MgkO7VXw |
|
Back to top |
|
|
norcom
Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 137
|
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
That pic of Laird on the SUP reminds me of the Exocet RS D2 I saw today.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
|
|