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Starboard iSonic 2014

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Created by sausage > 9 months ago, 22 Jul 2013
vando
QLD, 3416 posts
5 Nov 2013 11:23PM
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Wish mine come yesterday oh well looks good for the weekend

KevinD002
226 posts
6 Nov 2013 5:07AM
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Bender said..

Nice looking boards aren't they Vando. i got my new 49 two months ago and have only had two sessions on it. My first bear away and i scored a 39knt peak. I'm looking forward to spending some time on mine in Shark bay this December. It's totally different to my old CA Speed50 it has replaced



Damn you must've had a great first run on it!!

In my home spot, we would be lucky to see more than 20kts of wind :(

Steve Charles
QLD, 1239 posts
6 Nov 2013 8:53PM
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Great news the boat didn't sink and have just unpacked the new 49, 90 and 110. Wow these boards look so good
Hey Vando the new 49 looks a bit different to the old one











vando
QLD, 3416 posts
6 Nov 2013 9:07PM
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Steve Charles said..

Great news the boat didn't sink and have just unpacked the new 49, 90 and 110. Wow these boards look so good
Hey Vando the new 49 looks a bit different to the old one


Yer its Blue
yer thay are abit different to my old wood.
not sure if the bottom is much different though. but then its been awhile

TASSIEROCKS
TAS, 1651 posts
8 Nov 2013 8:50PM
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Hope they deliver everything you are looking for Steve

Cheers Russ

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
8 Nov 2013 7:59PM
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Geez I'd wet myself if 3 brand new boards turned up on my doorstep - they look great. Enjoy them Steve.

Simon100
QLD, 490 posts
14 Nov 2013 10:24PM
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i got the 90l about a week ago sailed it a few times on the 7m and today with a 7.8 which felt good on it im suprised how little wind i can get away with this board in .
Compared to my old 2012 97 the 90 the difference is just like you would expect with that narrow tail handles the chop and swell better and turns better but it takes barley any more wind to get planing the only down side of it is its not as good up wind as the old 97 was with its really wide tail . the picture is a comparison of my w54 speed board isonic 97 and the new 90

Steve Charles
QLD, 1239 posts
15 Nov 2013 12:57PM
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Great to here about the 90. Haven't had a chance to sail mine yet. Sailed the 110 twice. It feels great and tracks upwind really nicely. Sailed 7.8 and 8.6. Reakon the 7.8 is the perfect size. Board feels quite big and a nice light-med wind board.

17 Nov 2013 4:17PM
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I got the new 117, 107 and 90 and had a bit of time on them, so thought I would write a few comments.
It's a pretty short review, as there is "not much" to say. They just work!!

117 and 107 feels similar to my beloved 2013 boards, but then again seams to sit a bit more "free" on the tail section and some early acceleration has been achieved. From the little bit looser feeling, you should think the control would be a bit less. But amazingly they boards stay in control at all time!
I guess the 2014 wider width / slimmer tail combination ,- is delivering..

I run the same fin sizes as the 2013 boards (117 - 44/46) (107 - 38/40), but it do feel like you can use a touch smaller fin comparing to the 2013 models.

When I tested the new 90 the first time (with the new tail shape as seen on the post above), I have to be honest and say I didn't felt the love first time out. I was getting lifted up off the water a few times and could not really hit the trim. I was really gusty Swan river conditions with 7.1 powered up.

However my 2nd and 3rd testing of the board in the ocean and Swan river again with 7.1 and 6.3, totally turned the whole experience around!.

The tail shape is pretty "radical" compared to the usual SB tail sections. All I can say is point the board a few degree downwind and you will know what it feels like to go very fast with a lot of control and endless control!

As mentioned in a thread above the board do require a bit of skills to sail fast upwind. Especially compared to other models with wider tail sections.
I also moved the back foot strap position to furthest forward position, as I felt some more control over the board, and also better upwind ability.

In my experience with the 90 you have to move the weight more forward then normal to engage the rails further up the board (as you can't just stand on the back section as other boards). When you find the groove, then it is becoming pretty efficient upwind. Anyway the blistering across / downwind speed is defiantly from my point of view out matching the little more skill full upwind sailing.

I used fins from 30, 32, 34 and 36.

So far the 30 and 32cm was really good. But need to test more,,

I'm sure this board will just get better the more you sail it and getting it tuned in..

Jesper



sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
3 Dec 2013 6:06PM
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Thanks Jesper and Simon. Any other verdicts on the iS90 - just want to know if anyone else can advise if this board would be ideal for open ocean conditions. I'm assuming it would be with that fairly radical tail (reduced wetted surface area). My only other hesitation would be getting it in carbon as I had an uncomfortable time with a '13 Falcon 89 and that was full carbon.

Steve Charles
QLD, 1239 posts
6 Dec 2013 6:00PM
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I have only had one sail on my 90 and about 6 sails on the 110 The first thing you notice is that these boards just want to accelerate. The 90 feels super quick. From 2013 onwards the carbon feels way more more forgiving in open water.

AUS02
TAS, 1988 posts
6 Dec 2013 9:55PM
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Used my iS90 a couple of weeks ago in six, high-speed slalom races and it felt really good. Quite windy and flat water, so rigged it with my 6.2 and a cut-down Venom 34 fin. The board had good acceleration and heaps of speed (managed to do 35 knots while racing). Took a bit to get used to the way it gybes, but overall a big thumbs up. I've kept my trusty old iS86 and am glad I did as the 90 feels like a full step up, size-wise from that board. I hope to be sailing the 90 mainly with my 7.0m and more in open water than I would my 86. Also have the new 110 and have used that a few time now with my 7.0 and 7.8 and it feels great.

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
7 Dec 2013 3:54AM
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Thanks guys. Good to read the carbon isn't as hard as previous models. Will bite the bullet much to Firie's dismay. The iS90 just sounds too good to pass up.

firiebob
WA, 3145 posts
7 Dec 2013 7:11AM
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sausage said..

Will bite the bullet much to Firie's dismay.


You're a devil for punishment Snags, no wonder you know who didn't care, I can hear him laughing from here, hit him up for sponsorship while he's in a good mood

Steve Charles
QLD, 1239 posts
8 Dec 2013 8:05PM
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Had the best sail on the new 90 today with the 6.2 and Drake DW 34cm fin. This board feels so damn good. So fast off the wind and jibes on a dime. There is something really special about the new cut outs and the reduced wetted surface area. Snags, if you can get a deal on a 2014 90, do it.

AUS02
TAS, 1988 posts
9 Dec 2013 6:12PM
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Yep ditto to the above. Was out with Steve for a few hours, both of us on the new 90's with 6.2's and the 90 felt great. Very happy!!

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
9 Dec 2013 5:29PM
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Thanks guys - sounds like you're really impressed with the 90. There's going to be one big 2400long x 630wide xmas stocking with my name on it under the tree this year.

PS - Firie, got a funny story to tell you too when you get a chance.

firiebob
WA, 3145 posts
9 Dec 2013 5:14PM
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sausage said..

PS - Firie, got a funny story to tell you too when you get a chance.


Yeh been awhile mate, might give you a bell tomorrow, I can do with a laugh

jp747
1553 posts
28 Dec 2013 11:12AM
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I wish the width's aren't these extreme.. I love a board I can carry in one hand from armpit to fingertips and that is just right for me

AUS02
TAS, 1988 posts
2 Jan 2014 11:40PM
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Got a 2-sec spot PB the other day using the iSonic 90 (37.03 knots). A fair few of us have battled it out at this spot over the last year or so trying to get the highest 2-sec and I've always been on my old iSonic 86 getting at best low 36's (due to the chop), but first time out here on the 90 and I get a 37 knot PB! I've still got my 86 for when it's windy, but the 90 is proving to be pretty versatile! Despite the width, it really 'grips' and keeps its line when over-powered off-the-wind. Was using the 6.2 Reflex 4 and C3 Venom 34.

byronmc
NSW, 501 posts
3 Jan 2014 11:00AM
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Starboard do make a good board
But there are other skiny production models out there like the Exocet I use rs2 90l 59wide with 5.5m to 7.6m love it one stop board for me.

mkseven
QLD, 2314 posts
4 Jan 2014 12:15AM
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ay but then it wouldnt be isonic 2014 topic.

Impressed with the 107 after first brief ride, my thoughts here...

www.gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2014-01-03&team=6

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
13 Jan 2014 11:54AM
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In addition to Simon's post above I thought a direct bottom comparison would be good to do so grabbed my iS97 (2012) and traced the iS90 (2014) outline onto it. Whilst the iS90 is 63cm wide from it's widest point (rounded rails) the actual wetted max width is 59.5cm. Only had a couple rides on the board so far but pretty happy with how it feels and rides. Hopefully get it out this afternoon in the ocean for its true test.

BTW - outline is the outside edge of the tape too.


sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
13 Jan 2014 3:05PM
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shear tip
NSW, 1125 posts
13 Jan 2014 8:29PM
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I know this is a 2014 thread, but here's a comparison with a 2012 iSonic 90 (60cm) with a 2012 Futura 121 (75cm). The back straps are exactly the same width. The iSo 90's of yore had incredibly powerful tails. Short / wide planing surfaces.

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
13 Jan 2014 10:20PM
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Just had my first session on it in the ocean and to say it was a revelation is an understatement. Got a 2sec, 1x10sec spot PB's and second best NM spot PB in incredibly messy conditions. The board rocks.

gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2014-01-13&team=20

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shear tip said..

I know this is a 2014 thread, but here's a comparison with a 2012 iSonic 90 (60cm) with a 2012 Futura 121 (75cm). The back straps are exactly the same width. The iSo 90's of yore had incredibly powerful tails. Short / wide planing surfaces.


Out of interest Michael, threw my old S-type93 (2007) on top of the iS90 and was quit surprised a just how similar the back end was to the iS90 although the two boards ride very differently.



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"Starboard iSonic 2014" started by sausage