I have been training a bit on this board in the mornings and thought i would give my quick review on it.
Flat water: Board feels pretty average at the nose entry but really nice of the tail it is on speed with most 12'6 maybe a little slower than some.
IN and OUTs: To me this is where this board is at its bests it took of when i did this on this board it was really nice to punch out through the waves and when on a swell it surfed it very well, and really took off when it came to the fat parts of the wave. Its easy to kick turn around as well.
Over all its a good board it would be great as a training board it wont win a flat water race as i think there are faster but in a BOP style it would be right up there it's nice and stable and feels good to paddle.
Jacko
i checked this board out at the roar and thought it looked unreal quite light really good looking board
Here are some pic's of the 12'6.
I have also done a review of the Naish 17 here for those who are intrested:
I have been getting some good time on this board and these are my thoughts...
Flat water: Not so good, like it goes alright but the Javelin kicks it's arse. So you could use it as a cruiser for the flat but it wont win to many flatwater race's.
Ocean:0 to 15knots: Board still feels pretty slow it's pretty hard work in these conditions and you feel the extra bit of weight that the board has but with every puff of wind you can feel it wants to go.
Ocean 15to 40 knots: WOW this is where this board is ment to be, the more wind the better, the bit off weight that was holding it back earlier is now making it come alive. You can feel the extra glide and it just wants to go quicker and quicker. You can still put the nose under but it comes back up with ease and does not slow you down. In these conditions i have not paddled a better board and you can tell this is what it is ment for.
Overall: Amazing board in the right conditions and bit of a pig in the wrong. The board is super stable in all conditions and i very rearly fall of if at all. Construction is solid it does carry a bit more weight than some customs but this is what makes this board so good i feel. Rudder is good easy to use and can be set up for both goofy and natural stance, it can get a bit rough on the toes after a long paddle but otherwise it is one of the best out there.
Great Pictures! I can't help thinking that this is very similar to the Starboard SurfRace. I don't suppose you know someone with this board and you could put them side-by-side as a comparison? Have you tried the SIC 12'6" in a downwind run yet?
No sorry i have not done a DW run on this board and dont think i will. IMO DW runs are really for 14ft and over, that's not to say you cant do one on this board but once you have gone 14ft you wont go back.
Jacko
I have now put the 17 Naish review on this post so i can answer questions on either board here. Saves me checking all over the place.
