Hi All,
Had my board for a couple of months now. Thought I would do a little mod and add a set of FCS plugs to set it up as a thruster.
First reaction, **** where did that bottom turn and rail set come from?? Had to get used to that again. Not as quick to flick around and push with the feet.
But nice to set a line and run with it. Still quick on the waves and easy to turn in either direction. Worth the effort of the mod as it opens a different dimension to the board. Still stable, a good paddler and great for pulling onto waves 
Think youll find taking out those rear side fins, will loosen you up without loosing any forward projection with your bottom turns,and you wont hang up so much coming of the top out of your cut backs.just mo.
Took them out to surf, they were in these shots purely as a comparison to the original set up.
Hey Momasfolly, good reviews on the 8.8.. Considering to buy one just have to wonder if after having it for a while you felt that it just was not performing as well as you hoped... hence the adding of the center fin and changing the way it performs...
Figured that if I'm buying a big name stock board that it has been worked out just right... pro team riders and all....
otherwise why not just go custom?
Not at all. Still very very happy with the board. Was experimenting with the set up especially as I heard the factory was looking at doing a similar thing.
Also, when the swell gets up a bit the set up as a thruster will help on larger waves.
Working in smaller stuff, it's a buzz. Always trying to learn and make up for the 45 years I did not surf!!
Durability, great.
Rail saver pro on the rails. A little loss of the stripe paint, but no wear outside of normal anywhere else and I am not gentle n my boards. Have a fanatic allwave, no difference in wear.
No damage noticeable on the deck. No worries
Interesting... I am a thruster fan, that is the main reason I chose not to buy the 8'8 JP for my last purchase. If it came stock with that option, I would have bought it... maybe next time
Pics and vids from JP user's please
Creek, I was wondering why you went with the 8'10" allwave instead of the JP... now I know - THRUSTER
Momasfolly I may be happy with the stock quad setup on the JP, as thinking would be riding the 8'8" in mostly smaller surf.
Does it seem to get into smaller/ mushy waves ok? Does it feel fast in quick dumping beach break?
Other boards that I am considered against the 8'8" WB JP pro would be Allwave 8'10, the Starboard 8'10 brushed carbon wide point, the simssup L41, or one of Warrens's supsports new line of custom Hammer's in carbon. Oh and then there are the Cannibals out of FL.
Decisions, decisions...
Main breaks I surf are Beachies, that do all sorts of stuff. Easy to paddle, stable and picks up heaps of waves in quad or thruster. Used it in 1-6 foot beachies, no worries at all. Quick, turn great.
Just thought I would try the thruster , Just purchased a knubster so I can use it as a quad with that in as well. Trying out various set up to see what is optimal in which conditions while having one main board to surf. Will be good to figure out as that way I can look at the conditions presented and optimise the board set up as the goose on top don't change that much!
Saves roof rack space!
Firesurf... I say get one of each
They are all good.... awesome to have so many great choices.
I'd like to know more about those Cannibals... they sound pretty tasty.
Yea, I'd love to have one of each -- all good stuff and just keeps getting better.
Now wondering if next years JP 8.8 WB will come stock with both quad & thruster options. I think all the others that I mentioned do...
MF - Keep the updates coming on your 8.8 as this is the best info I've come across for it..
Second session today. 4 ft plus solid rolling through.
No Wind, clean. Bugger sets and timing is just right to get in , out and yoyo. Arms tired from paddling.
2 words sum the thruster set up.
IT WORKS, just lovely, set a rail and run. Turn, cut back flow. Very different to quad as expected but just goes. Opens the board up on nice waves. Enjoying it very much.
Mama... did you just have the FCS plugs set in the board or did you have anything done to beef up the area around the plugs.
Seems to me that failure is a possibility if you just had them set in the light weight foam. Don't get me wrong... i like the idea... I would just expect to see a larger area of prep before inserting new plugs.
Honest answer, no idea! Took it to a local board Guru. He fixes and manufactures surfboards for years. Oke, has done regular jobs even on gear we thought was dead. A legend.
So I trust his team and what they did.
Keep you posted if anything happens.
Hi Momasfolly, just joined up on seabreeze and my first post, I have been riding a 9'5" starboard widepoint and just picked up the 8'8" Jp and will have it in the surf this weekend, just wanted to thank you for all your updates which where very helpful with the decsion on the next board, this is a great forum so look foward to contributing
Finally lucked a clean, glass 2-3 foot session this arvo. As a thruster it just works. Absolutely no reason why JP could not roll te board out of the factory with 5 fin slots. Stable to paddle, easy to get on. Nice to turn and works a treat. Swapped boards with a mate who has not been on as a thruster. He did some great turns, off the top, re-entry, bottom turns. Worked well for him while I was using the 9' starboard hero. Description, JP 8 8 is certainly an step up in performance.
After now using it in all sorts of conditions, size from 1-6 foot. Windy to glass. Have not changed my mind. Have a lot to learn and many hours of fun in front of me.
Super stick, lots of fun. As an intermediate board it's a GEM!
Hey Momasfolly, good advise on the 8'8" pro. Now that I have one have had some fun sessions on it and it's now my favorite board. I also put the Rail Saver Pro on, and should receive new quad rainbow heaters soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your new board which prompted me to buy one.
Took the board back to the shop to pick up an new bag and show the guys there. The Railsaver Pro Tape impressed them as the rails are unmarked! Thruster set up was noted with interest. Glad you like it!
Well it's been 6 months since I purchased is the board. I have now surfed it from 6 inches to 8 foot. Quad thruster, with a nubster as a 5th fin.
Preferences and set up I have found to work well. As a quad, 2 foot and under. Love it, agile nimble and plenty of volume to catch and hold the small wave.
3 foot and over I prefer the Thruster set up. Allows you to take the drop, bottom turn and work back to the wave. Last weekend was 3 foot glass, off shore and finished with a slight cross wind. Just a lovely board. I have a lot to earn from this stick and enjoy the lessons.
Rail Saver pro means 0 impact on the rails, perfect nick. Deck, some of the stripe paint has come away from paddle strike. Generally though, good condition as I use it every weekend.
Very happy with the purchase and as you can tell. Happy to recommend it as a greta intermediate and up board!
mamasfolly, is that WP in the Pro construction? I have the 8'2" and wanted to do the same. I had trouble getting someone to do it. They thought the pro construction was hollow? I don't think it is. Anyone know if there is any further word on JP adding a 5th box?
Thanks
tom
Howdy, The 8 8 in pro is what I have. Local guy here at OKE surfboards was happy to do they job for me. No problems so far and I have been out in in some decent surf.
Used it as a 5 fin with Nubster, jury is out on this set up. Will have to give it a few more tries.
Quad, great in under 2 foot conditions
Thruster, over 3 foot works a treat, especially as it gives more drive through the turn
mamasfolly, thanks. how far from the tail center is the back plug? JP Australia said that "Probably the sweet spot for the installation should be around 10.2 inches from the end of the tail." That would be the measurement from the front plug. Thanks for your help.
I have surfed the 8ft 8 in head high stuff and the quad set up is great......solid and certainly no hint of sliding out.. It is a shame that the board doesn't come with five fin set up but to be honest I reckon it works great as a quad. I would like to try it as a twinnie with keel fins :)]. But, that's just me of course and nothing wrong with some experimentation if you want to. Love this design....not too high performance but plenty enough for an intermediate.
Hi Slab,
I recently put up a 10 month review on the site. Still love the board and use it mainly as a quad with knubster in as I find it just give a little more drive out of the bottom turn.
I am an intermediate surfer and expect top be looking for a bit more performance by the end of the Year! Any suggestions gladly accepted for a next board.
Select to expand quotemomasfolly said..
Hi Slab,
I recently put up a 10 month review on the site. Still love the board and use it mainly as a quad with knubster in as I find it just give a little more drive out of the bottom turn.
I am an intermediate surfer and expect top be looking for a bit more performance by the end of the Year! Any suggestions gladly accepted for a next board.
Momas - hey - I'm intermediate too so can't really help you there I just reckon the 8ft 8 is a great surf all rounder...but with performance but not so much that a weekend warrior like me gets into trouble.
I reckon my next board is a good while away as I can learn loads more with the 8ft 8....but if anything my next one will be more longboard in shape probably...but would always keep the 8ft 8. If I was going more performance then maybe try the JP surf range...or just go smaller on the surf widebody?
I have a fanatic 9 6 allwave. Good fun but a slab! Tried the 8 2 and it's a good board, just went the 8 8 to be a bit more all round. Love it and works a treat.
Just starting the look around to see where next, but the 8 8 has a place no problems. Try the 5th fin box, add an extra dimension to the board, it's well worth the expense, don't know why the factory does not fit it
