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Thurston
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 101
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Arrgh
Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio
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Thurston
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 101
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Dennis! That does appear to be very similar, but with higher volume options. I'll take a look for more info on the Viper as well. |
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Thurston
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 101
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Dennis! That does appear to be very similar, but with higher volume options. I'll take a look for more info on the Viper as well. |
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Arrgh
Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:36 am Post subject: |
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You could start a new thread as well. The Viper has been around for several years, I believe; somebody should have some experience with it. |
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Sailboarder
Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't tried that board but seriously considered the Viper before buying my board a few years ago.
I had decided that I wanted a board that would be interesting to sail off the plane too, not only a progressive board used as a stepping stone to shortboarding.
With this in mind, and various board trials, I realized I wanted something less than 80 cm wide to enhance the glide. I also realized that the longer the better for the glide, same thing with volume. Raceboard could fit the bill but learned that they can be tricky to use on the plane, in the straps, if you are not experienced.
I settled for a Kona One and I'm very happy with my choice. I think it's the best all-purpose board on the market. I also learned to use the harness, plane, footsteer, use the straps and waterstart with it. I'm now working on the carve jibes with it.
If you don't like the flowers, the Exocet WindSUP or RRD Longrider and a newer Starboard WindSUP could be good choices too. If the lenght is a problem for storage or transportation, the JP or Fanatic are probably great too. They just won't have the same glide when off-the-plane. |
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outhaul
Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254
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Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:41 pm Post subject: Re: Experience with JP Explorer? |
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unfortunately boards like the Explorer get very little attention because they are not considered sexy, which is a major problem with this sport imho. To me, nothing is more silly or stupid than someone on gear that is beyond their ability.
I'd rather be on a big ass board and sail well then struggle and be flailing on something too small. What fun is that?
In looking at the board it appears JP has made it narrower and longer than the Funster. The trade off would be not as forgiving and stable but more upside potential for a progressing rider. The conditions you sail in and of course your size and ability all come into play as well.
If you're a bigger guy, say 200 lbs or over and sail in chop or swell it probably wouldn't be a great choice. If you are lighter, like in the 160-180 range and sail in flatwater
then it would probably be a great choice. Of course these are very broad generalizations. I do like the fact that it has nice length for gliding and fore-aft stability.
The Viper and SB Rios are nice boards too.
I also agree with a longboard as a possibility too.
The Kona and Exocet windsup are really versatile boards that you could keep for a long time.
I also love how they have a professional 120-130lb
female riding it in the video, it just looks so easy doesn't it?
Good luck. |
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jfeehan
Joined: 27 Jul 1998 Posts: 156
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:55 am Post subject: |
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My kids sailed the JP Funsters quite a bit over the years in Cabarete. I sailed them too - mostly when I had to get the boards back upwind to Vela.
The Explorer seems to be narrower and a bit longer than the Funster, so maybe not quite as stable, but they will probably track better.
The main problem I had with the Funster was that they were very heavy - I never saw one plane, although I'm sure it's possible.
Hopefully, the Explorer is lighter. I think to go beyond being a beginner-only board, it would have to be substantially lighter. |
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Arrgh
Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio
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