Anyone had one of these ? What are they like in rough short lake chop and swells? Are they a harsh ride or soft?
I had a 98L 2005 FSW and it feels more like slicing through the water rather than skimming over it, so I would call it a soft ride. It turned on a dime compared to my 94L Kode!
I use a '05 84 JP FSW as my medium wind jump board. Sails 4.0 to 5.7, pretty fast but those conditions are never smooth.
Mine's wood.
Tabou 2010 3s 86 is heavier by 1.7 lbs and smoother.
My RogueWave 80 is 1.5 lbs lighter, a bit wider at almost 59cm, but rougher ride with little V.
My 01 Naish Freeride 85 liter is 55cm wide and the same 12 lbs as RW, but narrower with is smoother and it's the smoothest board for landing jumps and fastest for highest jumps.
Up to 22 knots, 10.75 swept blade or 8.25 wave fire.
For under 18 knots with 5.8, 11.75 swept blade.
this was in lake cotharaba i was about 125 kg in about 25 knts it was very chopy but cam didn,t pick it up board was good in chop but fin was washing out
That fairly big.... I used 26cm wave fin and a 28-30cm FSW fin in 100L FSW boards.
I use a 34cm Freeride fin in my 116L 3S
The poster here is fairly small and using this as her top end board so I think getting up towards 29cm fins on an 85L (narrow tail too being a 2007 model) would be too much of a handful..
22-24cm wave fin and then see
I've had my recently acquired '09 model FWS 84 litre out for one good session since I bought it. 20-25 kts coastal chop and swell, wouldn't call it sharp chop but was pretty comfy ride. I would describe it as gliding through the chop, similar feel to my 94 Kode. Me 75 kgs. I used the factory 25 FSW fin that came with it and felt I needed more fin, could have been rider technique though. I've borrowed a 28 free ride and a 29 FSW fin off a local sailor to try next time I take it out. So far really liking this board though and pleased with my purchase.
I think mine is a 2007 but I'd have to see a pic to be sure. Mine is a 78L
I think the stock fin was a 24 or 26, i use a 23 wave fin to keep is locked down in 4 - 4.7 conditions. You don't need a lot of fin on these boards as they get too fast in wild conditions.
from memory they softened the rails on the 2008/09 models, became a little looser but slower to plane.
I had 2005, 2006 and 2007 in 98 L. It's great in chop and very easy to foot steer.
The 2005 is my favourite ocean board for the 25+ knts, paired with a 6m sail, and 26cm weedwave fin. Sold the 2006 and 2007 after Mark fixed the 2005 for me. (Thanks Mark)
I was tempted but by the time freight and a fin were included it was very expensive for a 11 year old board.
If I was local I would have snapped it up.
If anyone wants one it's at SHQ boardsports Vic..
Maybe bit late for a response Sue but I'm still using a 2006 JP 85L FSW (fws not carbon) that I picked up for $300 a number of years ago and it's a very versatile, responsive, pretty quick and smooth riding board that I use in open ocean up to 25 knots or on a sheltered harbour when its blowing >25-30 knots. I use it mainly with 4.5 & 5.3 sails and different 21-25cm weed/FSW fins but have also sailed it with a 5.9 using a raked 28cm Fanatic freeride fin and can't really fault the board, apart from maybe the relatively inboard strap positions when using bigger sail/fin, but in the normal conditions that one would usually use a board like this they're fine. FYI I weigh 75kg. Keep looking as good used ones do turn up every now and then.