Which longboard?

jlooby · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69

Looking for your opinions...
Currently: 195lbs, intermediate. Great lakes sailor. Jp Super Light Wind 155, kona 11.5, exocet curve 8.5 (going to purchase in spring, 2 x starboard 12'6". Sails: retro 10.0, superfreak 8.0, 6.3, ezzy 5.2, revo 4.6.(have sailed formula and serenity previous)
Thinking about selling the jp super light wind and going for a longboard for 5-15 knots. Needs: early planner, 5-15 knots, good in rough water, good for long distance sailing/various conditions.
Options:
Starboard phantom 377
Exocet d2
Rsx evolution
Kona one (concerned about early planning )
Thanks
Joe

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

The Kona One is said to have the same shape as the 11.5. So you know about it's planning qualities.

There is an interesting thread about a similar topic:

http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23673&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I'm afraid the D2 is a really specialized board, but I have'nt seen one yet. The Phantom 320 could be good bet too, more solid than the 377, but lacking the batwings.

pete1111 · Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 193 Location: The Dude

if money is no concern I'd get the D2
http://www.lbwindsurfing.com/raceboard/69-exocet-rs-d2-review-pt1

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

check the exocet website for the video with patrice discussing about and riding the D2. looks like it will do everything but wave sail.

2 videos in their gallery:

http://www.exocet-original.com/gallery.php

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

I just looked at the videos. In French, Damien LeGuen adds that :
-he was sailing the prototype
-inverted bow inspired by 60ft sailboats, allows to go through chop without loosing speed
-large back allows early planning
-appendages are back to give the boat a natural tendency to go fast upwind

Hope this helps.

jlooby · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69

Thanks guys - yeah the d2 looks interesting.

Just need some reviews on how early it planes and how it handles chop.

Joe

SeaDawg · Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 384

Ive recently added two longboards to my quiver, Starboard Serenity and a Kone One. I had given my late 80's Mistral Equipe away a few years ago. For me the Serenity is the utimate lite air machine(can't sail it worth a shit) keeps me very humble,

As for the Kona, I wish I still had my Equipe. My general thought is, that 30 yrs after the Equipe design, In IMHO the Kona doesn't do anything better, in fact it's not as fast, doesn't go upwind as well, and is much heavier, It is more user friendly(soft deck, better made for lots of learning)

Perhaps, an SUP that can be sailed may suit best. A board that can be fun on waves has a lot going for it.

jlooby · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69

Yeah SeaDawg I agree.

Not that interested in the kona one - doensn't plane early enough for me.

I already have a serenity but I find I don't sail it much because of where I sail (it is for sale). Lake huron is never flat and the serenity is difficult to sail in any type of wave action at all. The nose always digs in to any wave making it hard to sail. On flat water I loved the serenity except for: hard if not impossible to go downwind, difficult to jibe/tack, if the wind comes up at all you are screwed - can't sail it with a big sail 10.0 in 15knots +.

I also have 2 starboard sup 12'6" that I sail - really nice boads to sail on, lots of fun, good if there are any waves, good to sup on. Only drawback is they don't plane.

What I really want is an early planing longboard to replace my JP super light wind and sail from 5-15 knots before the waves get big and I can sail my wave longboards.
Joe

roarmoss · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 18

J-

Why do you wish to part with the JP 155?

jlooby · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69

I like the JP -
good in chop/waves
good in jibes (way better than a formula 161)
decent early laning (10.0 & 195lbs 9-10 knots - not as early as a formula 161)
i don't like -
going out with a 10.0 and the wind is only 7-8 knots
slogging on and off when the wind is up and down

Really just looking for a board that I can sail and have fun for 5-15knots.

Its a good board - much better than formula 161 in rougher water, not as early of a planner, somewhat easier to get planing (less hump to get over), not as fast as a formula 161, much looser feel than a 161. I actually don't find it to be very fast at all.
For flat water and a 10.0 retro - I would take a formula 161 hands down - more fun!

Joe