I see that the new JP's are $3000 for the pro editions...Do you really think that they are worth that much 
. When you put it into perspective, it seems like an exorbitant price to pay. Our dollar is stronger than ever as well ....
I agree addict. A handmade fin I can see the time spent and hence the dollar value, but when you consider (large brand) boards are made in factories, with decent economies of scale for the cost of the goods sold, then you have to wonder about the margins to retailers, distribtors and manufacturers
JP - NP owned hmmmm
i have heard that the prices are heavily discounted from RRP. would hope so with the dollar being so high.
they were about that much RRP last year as well, and I didn't pay anywhere near the RRP for my pro edition fsw.
yeah - i know the guys at Goodtime in bris have decided to discount from the RRP as even they think it is too much and honestly, i dont think anyone would by a board at that value in this day and age.
Im not sure how the prices of other manufacturers are comparing?
My last JP was from goodtime at 1800 and well worth the dollars BUT a couple of month previous was 2500 so I can't justify buying new season stuff with the circa 700 excess !
I'm intersted in the CA slalom boards that on the website show about 1850 aus. Does anyone know if you need to add gst or import duties on top of this? If not they would be a great buy
CA seem like good value boards. However do they come with a fin, straps and a boardbag? Do new boards from other brands come with these accessories? I believe Starboards come with two fins.
Boards and sails....the prices seem crazy. I imagine the importers/distributers brought into an FX rate lower than the current one?? - it has been a relatively fast swing in the rates, may have to buy some US dollars soon for a future trip to Hawaii.
From the starboard website:
"Fins for the iSonics
For 2010, the iSonics are delivered without fins. Deboichet SL4, R13 and R16 fins are the fins the R&D team has used for testing the boards and the fins the racing team is using on tour. These are obviously the ones most recommended. Each board will have the recommended fins printed on the tail, together with the ideal sail sizes. WARNING: the iSonics have a massive wind range, therefore a quiver of two to three fins is highly recommended to take full advantage of the board's performance." - The GFC hits
Carbon Art's are awesome value for money. No they don't come with a fin but I got CA to send the recomended C3 Venom with my board. Still a cheap combo for a sweet board and fin 
Interesting to see the Isonics now don't come with a fin, if that's reflected in the new price I think it's a good move, no point paying for a fin you wont use 
Also remember we still have a couple of custom board makers here in Aus, they would have to be better than one made out of bambo in a cookie factory 
maybe the asians are demanding a proper wage!
reason for west to go to asia long time ago.
bowl of rice a day not enough.......today hey! 
Too much supply, too many makers with too many models, asking too much $$ for a small (and decreasing) market.
My prediction is that a few manufacturers will go tits up with 2-3 years, following F2, and demand will not increase. The two not being unrelated. Not counting recession, price of petrol for O/S shipments, the value of local $$, etc.
As a result of the above, supply will be driven ever further from commodity and scale economy. Cost of making equipment will go up, so will RRP, killing the sport a little more for those who insist on always having the vary latest.
That's not gloomy: I don't care. I just bought 1yo board and closeout-price brand new sails - great prices !
Yeah I think the way to go is to try and get new last seasons gear. Most of the time they don't vary that much from year to year. Is it Mistral that now only brings out new shapes every second year? giving there boards just a visual refresh for the in between year? I wonder how much companies could save on R&D if they all did that. Seriously when I look at a current board, I don't see $2000 worht of materials let alone $3000. So in another 5 years we are going to pay close to $4000 for a brand new board, most people own atleast 2 boards.
^^^ Not sure about Mistral or others, but Fanatic make no secret of the fact that their Freewave has had the same shape for its 07, 08, and 09 models, as they say it's a popular design, why change it. (But they did for 2010 model)
It's not the cost of making equipment, it's development and the gear is HEAPS better now days, it's how many times it changes hands and yeh everyone in the food chain has to make money otherwise why bother.
I think gear is a lot cheaper than over 10 years ago. I don't know Greenleader but rumor has it he has a shop, ask him how much more expensive boards are retail compeared to over 10 years ago, then ask how much rent, wages and government fees etc are costing him now and how hard competition is now that we have access to the net.
Everything only seems expensive because we want to spread out dollar so much further, besides our windsurfing gear we want the big telly with surrround sound, the latest fancy mobile phone, eat out & coffee shops, two cars and a 5 bed 3 bath house etc etc.
Having said all that crap, it's Carbon Art all the way for me or go a local custom board I did buy for family a brand new retail Starboard Start, awesome value and so much fun, sad day when we sold it.
Don't forget it's the pro edition boards you're talking about. Most manufacturers sell boards for a range of different budgets. If you want the best and the lightest but you want it to be strong and durable then it's going to cost money... If you're buying a Ferrari you don't expect it to be cheap.
For those that want the performance and access to the latest technologies they will realise it's worth the dollars - for those concerned about the price then go for the wood version or a superseded model - which will also work great - it just won't be the latest and greatest.
I reckon you'll find this year a lot of people will be happy to pay for the performance of pro edition boards and the latest designs like the quad fin wave boards - and while we always want things to be cheaper - those that buy the best do so because it's worth it.
does anyone know what came of the expensive JP gold edition honeycomb construction from 2009?
