Bought a smaller speed board but there wasn't enough wind last Monday to use it BUT I still gave it a go. I ended up on Coochie Mud Island with no wind and was contemplating a shark infested swim home. Thankfully I made it back to shore even if the board was a submarine by then. Hope you enjoy.
Cheers
Marty
Marty you had that sinking feeling ! I remember trying my CA SP 50 for the first time at the exact same spot, the wind died but I just managed to make it back to the boat ramp at VP. I think you'll love that board mate !
Thanks Haggar. I knew it wasn't windy enough but you know how it is when you have a new toy "must use new gear even is unsuitable" was in my head. Even on the long walk out to the water (very low tide) I was thinking it's not a good choice but...... It would have been lucky to be 12-15knots by then so I was happy to still hit 27knots without a bearing off the wind. I'm looking forward to stretching it's legs if the wind cooperates soon and fingers crossed I've made the right choice on buying it.
Thanks Firiebob. Your video's have always been an inspiration to me and I'll still dig them up from time to time and watch again. Love that clean water too unlike our bog bay! At least you can see what's going to eat you!
Cheers
Marty
Don't worry. you'll love the board. I was in your situation 2 months ago. I was thinking about JP Speed/Slalom X 55, 84L and I'm 80kg. Now I have the board and love it since the first day. It's my primary board now before JP 66 and JP80. As long as it's even slowly moving it holds me ok. I guess I would use it from 15 knots upward. It's such an easy board to ride that I'm willing to take some risk of staying few more minutes in the water if wind dies for a moment. Well I wouldn't take to open ocean in marginal condition but between the islands like VP would be fine. In the worst scenario I would have a scenic trip on ferry 
Thanks George. Yes I agree totally but figured it really needs to be 15+ knots to be useful. I was a bit late out there on Monday and missed to best time with you guys as I reckon it dropped to about 12-15 by the time I was out and 73L in that wind will never work. Looking forward to more days on the water with you guys and I was amazed how smooth the water is out along the bank. If only the wind hung around......
Martin, the mud banks at Choochiemudlo Island are very risky on small boards as the wind can drop off & a few times some sailors have had to swim back late in the arvo not good spot thank god it hasn't happen to me.
My newish JP speed board is only 64lts when I ordered it off Dieter I was very worried it would be too small but soon got use to it & now I love it just give it some time you will love it as 40kts should be possible on it. I use my 91lt JP a lot its better for those iffy wind days the little one is only good for constant wind 20kts plus you need to know your slalom board is going to be faster at times I get tempted to use my speed board also & have got it wrong at times. Having said that so far iv had lots of use out of my speed board at times I could have a bigger one like your 54lt its a good size.
Come see me for some tips on speed see if I can help you get some big speeds out of it.
Select to expand quoteGeoGeo said...
Don't worry. you'll love the board. I was in your situation 2 months ago. I was thinking about JP Speed/Slalom X 55, 84L and I'm 80kg. Now I have the board and love it since the first day. It's my primary board now before JP 66 and JP80. As long as it's even slowly moving it holds me ok. I guess I would use it from 15 knots upward. It's such an easy board to ride that I'm willing to take some risk of staying few more minutes in the water if wind dies for a moment. Well I wouldn't take to open ocean in marginal condition but between the islands like VP would be fine. In the worst scenario I would have a scenic trip on ferry
If the natives on choochie don't eat you first 
Thanks Glynn. I knew it would be a bit risky but has to christen the board. I knew my JP59 (96L) would have been a safer ride but you know what it's like with new toys. Thanks for all your advise and help so far and hope I can make it to 40knots before the year is done. I guess I should aim for 35 first ;) Will chat more soon.
Thanks Kurt. I hope I don't find any of your special friends out there. Anyway you had already scared them off with a couple of you "big splashes". That's why I waited for you and George to use yourself for bait first before the rest of us ventured out.
Great video Martin, glad you like the board, you will really like the EVO5 5.8 great sail, the 40 knot PB is not far away.
Thanks Geoff. I can't thank you enough for everything. I've always looked up to you ever since the good old days in Ballina/Lennox. You have been my inspiration to join the GPSTC and improve my skills. So I have to blame you for my obsession with JP Australia (formerly F2) and Neilpryde.... I'm with a great bunch of guys down here that are full of encouragement and hope to join you one day soon for some good old drag racing at Burrum. Safe trip mate.
Enjoyed watching you that day Martin, you looked spectacular when you were flying then even better when you did the submarine trick, I had a good laugh!!
I think you'll really enjoy that board in the right conditions!!!
Cheers
I like the part where you are crossing the channel, the wind is against the current and the chop is standing up and breaking There is a moment where it looks like you almost got catapulted.
I've sailed the Coochiemudlow speed bank twice and like it. I prefer to have the security of a board I can uphaul if I sail over there. The tide has to be right. I try to launch at Viccy point at low mid tide on a dropping tide and return on a rising tide. The bank emerges when the tide is lower than approx 0.7m. Its also advisable not to sail to close to the bank as the drop of is gradual in places. In the past, a couple of speed sailors have hurt themselves badly running aground.
Thanks Morgan. Keep up the good work yourself.
Thanks Greg. I didn't include the footage of me standing on the board up to my waist under water when you went past. It's not what I want to remember from that day. Hope to see you out there again soon.
Thanks John. Good pick up there as I did have a moment through the rollers in the middle. Was lucky to save that one but was worth it for the smooth water on the other side. I've not been across to the bank before and will need to go with others next time the wind it up so I can learn the ropes.
Thanks for all the positive responses guys.
Cheers
Marty
