Picked up the newest member of the family last Friday. :) Its a perfect fit. :)
Straight off the bat the quality of the construction and the finish is evident.
The carry handle, the best one in the business imo, is perfectly balanced and the very clever board bag has a cut out where the handle is so you pick the board up by the carry handle while it's still in the bag
Ann at WSS teasing me with pics before I could finish work and pick it up!!! Cruel!!!
Check out the nose rocker comparison with 2013/14 26.5" Starboard Allstar on the bottom and the 2013/14 24.75" Fanatic Falcon On the top.
Three very different nose shapes on boards with similar uses. The SIC rocker is similar to the Fanatic but has way less volume up front. Also note the difference in the rails. Rather than boxy rails like the Fanatic, Naish and Starboard the SIC has soft rounded rails that really tuck under. Nice.
I took it out for a quick splash about in the harbour Saturday arvo in the horrible Easterly and was very happy with how it handled punching into the wind and side/quartering on.
It has that typical SIC feel that instills confidence in the paddler. Area10 mentioned as much in the other V2 post.
I then did a small 8km Pittwater(enclosed waterway)DW run on Sunday arvo and came away very happy with my decision to buy the V2. As Area10 also mentioned this thing is a joy to steer from the tail. Sooooo stable and manoeuvrable from back there.
We had a section of side on 25-30knot wind chop and it just glided over it no worries, catching little bumps in between, never getting the nose dragged around.
Catching bumps I couldnt help but feel it needed a bit more oooooomph in the bumps to really get it going.
In the steeper, close together chop it has a tendency to purl the nose due to the relatively flat rocker but it never wanted to pull side to side and a quick shift of weight back and a few strokes brought the nose back up easily.
The Ace and Fanatic have the edge in this situation with the high volume noses.
When on a bump and trying to catch one it's got that old familiar SIC feel where less is more if that makes sense? You get up gliding and just tap along to stay on. :)
I'm really looking forward to doing a proper ocean run on this. We have a 14km race this weekend that should be a good test leading up to the 20 beaches in a few weeks.
I'll keep this updated after I get more of a feel for it.
All in in all I doubt it is as fast outright as say a 25" Ace or a 24.75" Fanatic (with me paddling it)but I think at the end of a rough ocean race I know I would be more relaxed on the SIC due to its extra width and stability And would have had more fun surfing off the tail.
Very happy with my purchase. 
I suspect Annie's pic was aimed at someone else......and she's very happy with here acquistion....got it wet this morning 
I rode the V2 on the King of the Cut course last week and managed to step off dry at Secret Harbour. This board is incredibly stable and surfs extremely well. I found it doesn't pick up the runners as quickly as a board like the Starboard Ace, but when on them accelerates quickly and is able to link the runs together pretty easily. You definitely have to move around on this board, forward to get onto runners and then back so you don't nose dive, but that can be done more or less by leaving your front foot in a normal position and stepping back and forwards with your back foot, I did find a number of times though that I needed to step all the way back.
Tough decision now, something a little slower but super stable (Bullet) or quicker and live on the edge (Ace)?????
I don't know if the Bullet will be a race winner but for the average punter who wants comfort and pretty good speed it is a good choice.
Yes, this board is very stable for its width. I've now paddled it over 7 hours in mixed ocean conditions, mainly choppy, downwind, upwind, surfing etc and have still to fall off it. This would no doubt not be surprising for an elite paddler, but I'm just an average guy, and my balance is pretty iffy. I think the stability is mainly to do with the ease and predictability of its handling - it certainly doesn't feel like a barge to stand on, you just don't fall off because it doesn't get wrong-footed by difficult conditions.
But the thing that has surprised me most is how good it is at surfing, and punching through white water on the way out. I can do in-and-out type laps through the surf with confidence in conditions where I'd normally hesitate to go with a DW board, and definitely wouldn't with a race board (including something like the Ace). The tail is so narrow and refined that once you step right back it is like surfing a much smaller board. And with the toes of your front foot just behind the handle it seems to just pop over white water with little drama. It's a great feature for just having fun in the ocean, or e.g. where your downwind runs have beach starts and finishes that require coming in and out of the surf.
Select to expand quoteArea10 said..
It's a great feature for just having fun in the ocean, or e.g. where your downwind runs have beach starts and finishes that require coming in and out of the surf.
What do you think Area10,
is the 14V2 also suitable for the In and Out's like the BOP 2014?
@shiresup: yup, you got me. Was a good pic though so I've claimed it!! :)
I reckon surf4fun has hit the nail on the head with that description.
I've paddled a lot of different boards in the last few years and I still keep coming to the conclusion that if you are stable and not falling in then you are faster than you would be on a skinny board that you have difficulty balancing on.
As an average punter stability is key!!
Select to expand quotesupLaz said...Area10 said..
It's a great feature for just having fun in the ocean, or e.g. where your downwind runs have beach starts and finishes that require coming in and out of the surf.
What do you think Area10,
is the 14V2 also suitable for the In and Out's like the BOP 2014?
Depends how in and out the race is. There are many European races that are pretty much just out, round a bouy, short leg to another bouy then straight back into the beach and repeat. It would be great for that. The longer the leg beyond the surf zone, the more you'd lose out then to a displacement style nose. Would depend what the wind was doing too. But you'd probably be falling a lot less on the V2 and that can save an awful lot of places in a race... I'd use it in an in-and-out race, especially ones with a DW leg as well.
The garages are bigger on the North Side.
You looked pretty comfortable on it during the downwinder and it seemed to cut across wind well also.
Select to expand quoteKieranr said..
@shiresup: yup, you got me. Was a good pic though so I've claimed it!! :)
Select to expand quoteKieranr said..
I've paddled a lot of different boards in the last few years and I still keep coming to the conclusion that if you are stable and not falling in then you are faster than you would be on a skinny board that you have difficulty balancing on.
As an average punter stability is key!!
Hallelujah to that Kieran- the #1 rule of ocean racing.
Used the Bullet today in a 10km race called the Seacliff Challenge. Conditions were far from ideal. Headwind for first leg, swell from the side and heaps of reef and headland backwash.
The return leg was a little bit better with a handful of humps to be caught.
The V2 bullet coped brilliantly!! Not one fall or wobble. The side on stuff didn't bother it at all any the nose stayed pointed right where I wanted.
As previously mentioned, it will never be as quick as the 25" Ace or 24.75" Falcon(maybe with a better paddler) with me on it but damn it felt so good to be able to just concentrate on paddling rather than balance!!!
Very happy Bullet V2 owner!!
Select to expand quoteKieranr said..
Used the Bullet today in a 10km race called the Seacliff Challenge. Conditions were far from ideal. Headwind for first leg, swell from the side and heaps of reef and headland backwash.
The return leg was a little bit better with a handful of humps to be caught.
The V2 bullet coped brilliantly!! Not one fall or wobble. The side on stuff didn't bother it at all any the nose stayed pointed right where I wanted.
As previously mentioned, it will never be as quick as the 25" Ace or 24.75" Falcon(maybe with a better paddler) with me on it but damn it felt so good to be able to just concentrate on paddling rather than balance!!!
Very happy Bullet V2 owner!!
Looks like a great board even stable in the backwash from the headlands that sounds good. Would you have fallen off the falcon a few times in the same conditions?
Select to expand quoteStephenseals said..Kieranr said..
Used the Bullet today in a 10km race called the Seacliff Challenge. Conditions were far from ideal. Headwind for first leg, swell from the side and heaps of reef and headland backwash.
The return leg was a little bit better with a handful of humps to be caught.
The V2 bullet coped brilliantly!! Not one fall or wobble. The side on stuff didn't bother it at all any the nose stayed pointed right where I wanted.
As previously mentioned, it will never be as quick as the 25" Ace or 24.75" Falcon(maybe with a better paddler) with me on it but damn it felt so good to be able to just concentrate on paddling rather than balance!!!
Very happy Bullet V2 owner!!
Looks like a great board even stable in the backwash from the headlands that sounds good. Would you have fallen off the falcon a few times in the same conditions?
One more question would you say it would be alot more stable than a 27.25 falcon in rough water as I paddle rough water alot and being a little more relaxed on the big paddles would be great. If you don't mind me asking what sort of dollars?
Select to expand quoteStephenseals said..Stephenseals said..Kieranr said..
Used the Bullet today in a 10km race called the Seacliff Challenge. Conditions were far from ideal. Headwind for first leg, swell from the side and heaps of reef and headland backwash.
The return leg was a little bit better with a handful of humps to be caught.
The V2 bullet coped brilliantly!! Not one fall or wobble. The side on stuff didn't bother it at all any the nose stayed pointed right where I wanted.
As previously mentioned, it will never be as quick as the 25" Ace or 24.75" Falcon(maybe with a better paddler) with me on it but damn it felt so good to be able to just concentrate on paddling rather than balance!!!
Very happy Bullet V2 owner!!
Looks like a great board even stable in the backwash from the headlands that sounds good. Would you have fallen off the falcon a few times in the same conditions?
One more question would you say it would be alot more stable than a 27.25 falcon in rough water as I paddle rough water alot and being a little more relaxed on the big paddles would be great. If you don't mind me asking what sort of dollars?
Australian dollars.
Stephenseals: that's a hard question. It's been about 8 months since I paddled the 27.25" Fanatic (I still have my 24.75" Fanatic) and my skills and experience have grown since then.
I think the Fanatic from memory felt a bit less stable on the tail due to that narrow pin tail. However, I do believe that the Fanatic felt faster as it has the ability to kinda seek out the little bumps, a bit like the Ace does.
The SIC doesn't work like that; you need more push behind it to really get moving. The SIC is easier to surf from the tail though.
I would like to paddle both back to back to compare.
i think the SIC feels less effected by side chop or swell due to the rounder rails at the nose.
I reckon you should try and organise a demo of both as my opinion on how they both feel is exactly that; my opinion, not necessarily how they would go for you!!
either one you chose would be a great rough water board.
I think RRP is $3400 for the SCC fixed fin.
Select to expand quoteKieranr said..
Stephenseals: that's a hard question. It's been about 8 months since I paddled the 27.25" Fanatic (I still have my 24.75" Fanatic) and my skills and experience have grown since then.
I think the Fanatic from memory felt a bit less stable on the tail due to that narrow pin tail. However, I do believe that the Fanatic felt faster as it has the ability to kinda seek out the little bumps, a bit like the Ace does.
The SIC doesn't work like that; you need more push behind it to really get moving. The SIC is easier to surf from the tail though.
I would like to paddle both back to back to compare.
i think the SIC feels less effected by side chop or swell due to the rounder rails at the nose.
I reckon you should try and organise a demo of both as my opinion on how they both feel is exactly that; my opinion, not necessarily how they would go for you!!
either one you chose would be a great rough water board.
I think RRP is $3400 for the SCC fixed fin.
Thanks mate I already have the falcon I appreciate what you are saying there gotta demo one thank you.
Sligthly off topic but here I go anyhow.
There is a real shortage of downwindboards (or just boards in general) were I live . I do a lot of the local races but when I am on my own I mostly go for downwinders. So If you only want one board it is a challenge. I currently ride the Fanatic Falcon flatwater 14X26 and despite the "flatwater" it actualy goes ok in smallerDW-conditions. My dreamboard is the bullet v2. But there is only afew of them in europe. I have an oppurtunity to get my hands on the SIC x14 pro though. Any reports on how this board handles DW compared to the my fanatic.
I know this is a wild shot
another dreamboard would be the naish javelin but thats another story
Hey Surfniels,
A friend of mine here in Portugal is trying to sell a Bullet in the carbon construction with rudder. Last time I saw the board (like 2 months ago it was in reaaaaalllly good conditions).
Here goes the link:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154484460730393&set=pcb.713752312027697&type=1&permPage=1
He's asking 1485€ for the board and that included an used carbon paddle.
If it is something that may interest you, i can get you his contact (other than facebook).
Thanks for the Update JohnnnyMaya!
I will try and contact him- but the transfer of the board from Portugal to Denmark could be a challenge!
SurfNiels - I guess you could get a Bullet direct from Flow Sports (SIC Europe) in Germany, if you had the dough, although I had to order mine and wait several months for delivery. I guess a retailer in Denmark could source one for you from them if you didn't want to go direct (it's no cheaper..). I don't know about SUP retailers in Denmark but I remember seeing one in Aalborg when I was there not so long ago so there must be some even outside your capital. It's SO difficult to spend your money on SUPs in Europe unless you want something from a couple of the windsurfing brands that have huge distribution networks here. It's not always easy even then. I guess these are quite niche items from a retailer's point of view.
Hi Area 10
I was hoping to get a response from you :-). I send you a private messages yesterday :-)
No Sic - board in europe until febuary or march... No Sic retailer in Denmark and to be hest the SIC europe thing is a joke.
I have my eyes on one in Austria (of all places) at the moment
Select to expand quoteSurfNiels said...
Hi Area 10
I was hoping to get a response from you :-). I send you a private messages yesterday :-)
No Sic - board in europe until febuary or march... No Sic retailer in Denmark and to be hest the SIC europe thing is a joke.
I have my eyes on one in Austria (of all places) at the moment
I have had many long email conversations with SIC Europe about their marketing strategies and I'm not going to repeat them here. But I think they are now beginning to understand the situation, maybe. The major windsurfing brands with established networks have a stranglehold on the market and SUP-specialist brands like SIC, Coreban etc will need, IMO, to find a different and more flexible way of operating or be trampled by these larger established brands. Any of your retailers in Denmark, with a little perseverance could probably order a board for you from SIC Europe. But if my experiences in the UK are anything to go by, you will need to find a retailer who is willing to work for their money.
There is a substantial lack of stock in Europe at the moment for many brands that are built at Cobra: SIC are not alone. For instance stock of the new Naish Javelin 14x26, which is likely to be the biggest serious race/DW seller in 2015 for Naish in Europe, is pretty much absent too. I suppose we have to remember that roughly half the market these days is for inflatables, and by far the largest part of the hard board market is for all-round boards in the 10-11ft range. Raceboards are still a very small part of the sales and downwind-specific boards are extremely specialist, at the moment at least. It's just unfortunate that it is this specialist area that interests us most, and as a consequence it does often seem frankly that many of the the SUP distributors in Europe seen almost to make it as hard as possible for you to give them money.
Thanks for your reply Area10
I may have to go to Austria to pick up my board then :-)
Anybody out there with an opinion on th x14 pro in DW conditions ??
Never tried the X14 Pro in DW but I wouldn't expect much of it with that nose.
Get a bullet if at all possible.
I've downwinded the X14 but not the pro. It downwinds ok for a flat water board, and in good conditions is easier to use than many. But all flat water boards tend not to plane as early as dedicated DW boards and then require more work to keep them trimmed and from broaching. So maybe the Pro might be a bit better than your current board for DW, but I doubt it would be by much. Flat water boards are pretty compromised in downwind conditions, just as downwind boards are in flat water. However if you tend to DW in light winds and ripples, flat water boards can actually do very well. Honking winds and thigh-high+ bumps? Not so much...
Hi Niels,
I live in the Netherlands and have a bullet 14 with rudder, I think we can compare the sea and wind conditions.
I've seen the X14 in action, nice looking board, in small bumps and 4 beaufort winds, faster than the bullet (It was on a lake)
Sea conditions and stronger winds and the X 14 is much harder to control, nose is poking al lot, and its hard to maneuver to connect waves, also because there's no rudder.
I think I'm save to say that, the advantage of the longer waterline on lake like flatnes, is more off a disadvantage in real downwind conditions.
My advice, run for the bullet.
Thanks flowmaster!
I THNK I will try to go for the bullet and I will have to see if I can get me hands on something like a 2013 SB sprint for the flatwater races?
Were did your hand on the SIC flowmaster? any good sites for secondhand sups in holland?
I've you can fork up the coins, go for the rudder version, the Bullet is fast downwind, but you once you have figured out the rudder and control, you realy would be flying.
I had contact with Mark for my board, he mentioned Xavi , that time European distributor from Spain, picked my board up there, had some very good advice from him and he tuned my board perfectly, great guy.
However, Xavi was the distibutor for Mark that time and Flow was just about to take over and started using there network and dealers, so that's a dead end.
I think, the only way is Flow, I'm the only guy, as far as I know, who's flying a Bullet over here, the X 14 however, is more common, second hand boards can go for 1000 euro.
I would not spend the 1000 however, if Downwinding is your game, you spend more on a bullet, but he, you live only once
The Bullet from portugal looks good, don't know the price however, Its a V1 like mine, the best stable version, when the going gets tuff, rudder replacement from Goofy to Natural is a peace of cake.
I think it's not that hard to transport within Europe.
@flowmaster
1000 euro fro a x14 would be considerd really cheap up here!
I am planning to go for a fixed fin version. The main race of the year up here is a 44 K open ocean crossing and a fixed fin is a must for the race. let me know if there are any good deals in your area, Holand isn't that far!
