Go Carbon Art, don't root around

I've had my SL58 for a week now and have 3 new PB's on the GPSTC site, and I've been there since it began. I was worried about going for a slalom board because I sail in absolute crap (rough) conditions but this board just eats it, feels like my old freeride for control only faster. I'm 82 to 84 Kg (rum) and this board at 96L planes up easy, my biggest sail is 6.6M.

For less than $2100 to your door for a near on a custom board, not made in Thailand by a cookie biscuit cutter, where you can talk to the business owner and change things, made in our back yard and all for less money, it's really a no brainer for me.

Don't get me wrong, I don't get the chance to try diff boards where I live, and I don't give a rats if brand A or B is better at this or that, I've now got a bloody sweet board for a bargain price

Ian K said...

Waiting4wind said...
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Just had a look at the CA web site, these boards a well priced and 12 colour graphics to choose from.
Do you get slugged with import duty & how much

The CA website might be out of date, there were no extra charges for my CA SP50 above that of board and freight as listed on the website - $1780 a bit over a yr ago. But I was happy with white - some go for hot pink. Are you going to Gerroa anytime soon? You can try it out. Mid week's OK. I've also arranged special employment conditions.

It's not a bad all-rounder for something sold as a speed board. I've yet to figure out how to get it to top speed, but it's a proven performer. It's handy in choppy non speedy conditions. Be fine in a good Botany Bay Noreaster. It feels a little bit stiff and directional negotiating larger stuff, but I've had it out in the Broulee swell a few times where it's mostly great. (That's where I had one big off, not quite sure what to blame it on). Jumps nicely. For some reason it feels a lot bigger than 83 litres if the wind drops.

I will be heading down to Gerroa as soon as the NE'ers become a bit more consistent. I may also stop in for a couple of days on the way to Merimbula for the Mambo.

Is that the board you just used at Sandy Pt, unfortunately I missed it this year.

Have you given up on Botany Bay?

I might have to look into the CA price, sounds like good value. I was watching Phil McGain put the CA Slalom through it'spaces in Maui last year. He was blasting through stuff that made me nervous even on my waveboard.

I got to give the AB+ 67 (110L) a run this afternoon with my 7.8m RSS. SE 12-18knots, in Botany Bay with the typical southerly chop and swell.
It was easy to get planing having quite powerful rails.
My sail had a sensation of being little backhanded, a problem I don't normally have with the setting I used. I felt the same thing with the smaller AB the other day. I moved the harness lines back about 3cm and all was sweet. I realised that this board encouraged a slightly different stance to my gear, driven a little more of the back foot.
Like the smaller board it sailed freely over the chop and swell without any drama and gave plenty of confidence to push it harder. The gybing was great once initiated it almost steered itself around. I loved the Dakine foot straps soft and comfy but firm at the same time.
The 36cm deb fin showed no sign of letting go, it was plenty big enough for the set up (I'm used to using a 42cm).
The big surprise was my GPS reading, the board kept delivering 27-28 knt runs without much effort in roughish water, which I thought was great for the conditions. Again like the smaller board I felt that this board is capable of great GPS results.
The only challenge I had was my geriatric knees, one of which was recently refurbished. The powerful rails combined with stiff construction and the big chop I was negotiating meant my dodgy knees were feeling it. The board is very good over chop but very direct, probably a bit more dialling in would have it skimming over all obstacles.
Overall I was impressed, and the whole package with good fin and excellent board bag that it comes with makes it great value.

... and is a damned sexy board too!

I wonder how hot it gets sitting on the beach?

Yup, the bottom is red. Exocet claims, it does not get much warmer, than any other color.
Having said that, I would not leave a white board in 40º sun, without opening the valve...
The looks are not important to me, the way it sails is.

I too own the TB2 62 (90L), and love it. I also have a WS58 and WS 73, and feel, the WS series has the footstraps too far out, the fin too far back, and beveled or diamond shape tales, that are much easier to spinout.
After sailing the SL71, I am seriously considering replacing the TB2 62 with the SL61 (sails a little higher, less volume in the front).

Markus

mr love said...

If it ever gets built this will be the "ants pants". Ha! It,s still a work in progress . 235X68X105litres. All I need now are some fun tickets.

Looks interesting, seems to have quite a bit of nose rocker for a slalom board. So give us the run down on the design features

pxlwz said...

Yup, the bottom is red. Exocet claims, it does not get much warmer, than any other color.
Having said that, I would not leave a white board in 40º sun, without opening the valve...

I have done a repair on a board that was white with black jump pads, the guy opened the vent and put it in the sun for 2 days to dry out on 40 degree days.
When I opened the board up, all of the foam under the pads had melted to a depth of 20mm ! Nil damage under the white paint.

mr love said...

It actually has fairly low nose rocker at 174mm, thats why it has a wide nose.Rocker is dead flat from 300-600, has 1.5 mm tail rocker, 6 mm at 1200, 50mm at 1800. Very wide at 600 for lots of lift ( early planing)but uses an aggressive winger just in front of the rear foot to reduce tail area . Also the tail cuts.

great job on the design martinare the measurements your's or from the cad program e,g length, width, rocker,cutouts ect, i was wondering if 6 mm at 1200 to 600 is a bit much, and do you need the tail rocker of 1.5mm + cutouts for a board you want to plane early and reach max speed in 15knts,
wats the name of the program you used, and can i download it from the net

Oh yeh , sorry Keef . The program is Alias and you can download it if you part with 12 grand US first. The boss owns it !!!!!!. Plenty of much cheaper software around that will do this , Rhino is good at around $900 US.

Seeya Martin

Waiting4wind said...

mr love said...

Mr Waiting for Wind. A deal as long as it's mine for weekends!!!!

I would be keen to know if anybody has some fedback on the 09 Isonics?
Seeya Martin

Hopefully, will be testing an 09 Isonic 111 this weekend, will let you know how it goes.

Keen to hear how this goes, this is the size I am interested in

Thanks Sheer Tip but I have that sorted . 105.8 litres. Because of the width and volume placement it will feel bigger though. Seeya Martin

Hey Martin,

My app (autodesk Maya) can read Alias .wire files. If you want, I can calculate the exact volume for you.

Maybe you need to give this program to Starboard, they seem to have a lot of trouble calculating volumes! [}:)]

mr love said...

It,s going to live!!! I paid a deposit with the board builder today , 50th birthday present. Should be cool.
Now who wants to buy my Glider 105 ! Ha!

who builds your boards?

mr love said...

I think it needs to be an EPS core,carbon sandwitch for absolute minimum weight and stiffness.

have you thought about the density of the core, iv'e been useing 12kgsxmtr its one of the lightest, i didnt have a problem i just used extra 5mm of divinicell under the footstraps and mast base
"EDIT" i just had a look at the OES site and they have got a link to this post, so are they promoting custom made boards and are they makeing it in maui? and how much does it cost to get the board to your door after they have made templets for a one off design, or are you planning on mass prodceing them

thanks for the tip martin but i have enough foam and carbon to do about 3 boards thats if i need to im happy with what ive got