There are a bunch of new models out (as always) but I must say the real standout this year is the Starboard KODE
This is the "State of the Art "Freestyle Wave board. Don't let the high tech name fool you. These are the style of board most of us are looking for in medium to higher winds. Easy to sail, comfortable, reasonably fast. Freestyle Wave boards (or at least good ones) sail like you are on "Auto Pilot". The KODE comes in sizes to fit everyones quiver from 68 Liters to 122 liters. Check out the outstanding write up in the latest issue of Windsurfing Magazine.
Not to be overlooked theStarboard FUTURA although not exactly new. It came out last year, and in its first year out this board quickly became the benchmark Freeride board for Early Planning, Fast & comfortable sailing. Well, they improved it even more this year, by flattening out the rocker a bit (improve early planning & top end speed) and moving some width around the mast track The FUTURA will rock the freeride board designs again in 2009.
Fanatic is a board you hardly ever hear of but when you do it is GREAT! This year. They have an outstanding line returning with the Freestyle SKATE (98 to 108L)as the most comfortable freestyle board to just sail. The HAWK ( 93 to 135L) a Fast Turny board you can jibe this board with your eyes closed it is so easy (please don't)and still blow the doors off anybody in a straight line. The Freewave (77L to 113L) has been an outstanding Freestyle wave board. The shapes are HIGHLY refined as Fanatic is the only mfg. using a CAD design system for true progression. The NEW model this year is the RAY a Freerace board that is perfect for what most
of us do (go fast in a straight line Jibe and come back (hopefully w/o falling) The RAY (93 Liters to 135 Liters) has the speed of the raceboards and the comfort (thru control) of a Freeride. What impresses everyone is the construction quality you get a custom lay up (lightness/stiffness at a great production price, and super durable to boot.
There are some outstanding boards from JP (Excite Ride & Freestyle Waves) New for us this year is Exocet, and of course BIC, Mistral & Tabou. More on these another time.
Sails
Big news in sails are the two EZZY wave sails The Wave Panther is designed along the more modern SE Waves Lots of power, draft forward, Lighter and even more bomb proof with the inclusion of TECHNORA fiber. The Panther is a higher aspect. In deference to those who liked the flatter Ezzy's of "yesteryear" the Freestyle Wave a Flat faster wave sail. The Freewaves incorperate the Technora fiber to make this sail indistructable..well almost.
Ezzy made a big "splash in the Freeride market last year with the FREERIDE model a G a bomb proof sail with great lowend power and top end speed. The Freeride remains basically unchanged but the addition of the Technora fiber further improves durability while reducing weight...all at a great price!
Ezzy also offers a nice 2 cam recreational sail called the INFINITY and a super charged Lightwind performer the ZEPHYR as a no cam (7.5 only) amazing sail!
Sailworks Flagship design is the RETRO This sail continues to be the benchmark of no cam freeride sails. Full scrim construction and a HIGHLY REFINED design adding a boom cut out to reduce swing weight. Sailworks this year has worked at shaving off weight while keeping performance and durability. The reduced the head area and lowered the center of gravity. To set the 2009 Retro as the Benchmark of Freeride sails.
If jumping and speed are your interests w/o the hassle of race sails or cams The Sailworks HUCKER is the ticket. This is the "Power Riders" dream a tight leech cool graphics. This sail ROCKS. Sailworks has one of the nicest Wave Freestyle sails in the REVOLUTION and if you are looking for a Junior Rig that will excite your kids the RIPPER is the call.
I'm also excited about The Severne line particularly the GATOR which is a more handling oriented freeride sail. Also Maui Sails, Gaastra, Naish & Aerotech.
Components (masts, Booms, extensions UJ's)
Mast, still the developement is in RDM Skinny mast. They are far more durable with equal performance to std. diameter mast. The only drawback is they trap less air inside, so they aren't as "Floaty" as a std mast when water starting. RDM seem to have the advantage in 460cm and below. Longer than 460cm it seems to have a dimishing return .
The REAL EXCITEMENT is the carbon booms by MAUI SAILS. These are the lightest stiffest most amazing booms on the market MauiSails® Carbon Boom detail. Not to mention DURABLE. From the outstanding boom head easy to use and super stiff. Through the Pre-preg reduced dia grips and the monoque tail piece that has the smoothest adjustment. I wish I could say it is inexpensive but I can say it will be MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE here at Extreme Windsurfing.
Extensions are well extensions carbon?, aluminum? Euorpean std pin or US cup (still my favorite but I'm kinda old school guy) You need what you need long, med or stubby.
Univrsal Joints (UJ's) These are kinda over looked until they break. Here is a simple rule if you have ones (rubber or Tendon) over 3 yrs old they need to be replaced. I'm NOT trying to pump up sales I'm just being real Breaking a UJ IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE and can have severe consequences in certain sailing conditions/situations.
Performance wise why one over the other? I'll give you a simple overview
RubberJoint Traditional design, proven. Dampens most vibrations. Since the "old" Windsurfing Hawaii AIR foot went defunct Worked like truck air shocks didn't help the rigs feel much but that is another story. Rubber joints fail from the inside out (hard to know when they are going to fail.)
Tendon Joints (Smaller rubber joint) Popular in the 80's & 90's when foot height of a sail was considered critical to topend speed. (proven not to be any factor as sail testing/design got more sophisticated). All the same short comings of the std Rubber joint but aplified by it's smaller mass. It did lower the foot height minimally.
Mechanical Joints They go in and out of popularity for various reasons. But design wise they are FAR superior to rubber joints. Much more durable, Easy to see wear (Failure) fixable and repairable. Mechanical joints transfer almost 100% of the rig power to the board/fin to generate speed. Lastly they layover and don't want to spring the board upside down when waterstarting.
Accesories (cool Stuff to enjoy windsurfing)
First of all if you sail sails 7M or bigger you are missing out on at least 15% of your sails range by not using an ADJUSTABLE OUTHAUL. It is a bit of a pain to rig the first couple times but once you have it you'll be AMAZED at what your sails can do in both early planning & top end speed. They Run about $50 and can in some quivers reduce the need for one whole sail size in ones quiver.
Can't get excited about uphauls? Check these 2 out. Dakine has an easy grip Uphaul called POWER UPHAULS it is a std uphaul (4 Knot type) with EVA Grips built in. BUT If you REALLY want to make uphauling big sails easy NJ designed EASY UPHAUL IS THE CALL. No need to use your arms and beat up your hands. Let your legs and weight lift it for you. VERY COOL set up.
I'm also a BIG FAN Of Sailworks QUICKTUNE LINES. These are Truely on the fly adjustable lines that the mechanism hold up to corrosion. Plus The components of the QuickTune lines are repair able So it will be the last set of lines you ever need. They Run $39Chinook also makes a bombproof adjustable line that seems to work too. These Run $59.
If you are a fan of fixed harness lines the new DAKINE : MONO HARNESS LINES revolutionized ease of operation durability and most of all BALANCING THE RIG. This Improvement comes at a REDUCED PRICE $18 set. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?
Last but NOT least a wetsuit that does it all Warm (water temp as low as 45F) Flexible, durable made specifically for windsurfing and SUP's Even distributed right here in NJ. I'm talking about the HyperFlex MOJO Suit details It is by far the warmest 3/2 suit ever. Easily as warm as any 4/3 around but is SUPER flexible. and it is only $149.
There are tons of othe things that make windsurfing fun. FINS are a whole topic unto themselves having 2 or 3 fins (0ne comes with just about everyboard) can really add range to your current board (Fins cost LESS than boards). Things as simple as tiedown straps have improved. Stop by or give me a call 484 515 5758 youi'll be AMAZED there is even more fun (w/o spending a ton of money) than you !thought
See you on the Water!
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