Has any one bought a JP super light wind board? Can you please tell me what you like about it or don't like?
The SLW, it's everything they say and a little bit more
It's not a formula board, It's not a slalom board, It's not a freeride board.
It's something else (besides huge)
Fun
Had it mainly on the Estuary, but have also had it out on the open ocean as well.
Great fun
What do find different between it and a formula board?
I may buy something like this and there is a big price difference between a new slw and a second hand formula board. Of course second hand slws will start turning up in a few months time.
How is a formula board like reaching with a smaller fin? Something around 50cm and a smaller sail of around 8.5m?
There are quite a lot of second hand formula boards for sale around in NSW.
Although it likes like a formula board it rides like a free ride.
Theres a video on the Riks windsurfing site of it in action, where you can pretty much point it where you like with ease.
Very easy to sail
I've have a 2003 Freeformula which I kit up with a 54cm fin and 7.4 RAF Freeride sail for a very nice controlled, balanced reaching feel. Not sure how much this is due to the fact is a FREEformula and therefore designed to be less upwind/downwind course oriented.
Oh I have a Tabou Rocket 140 which is around that size. I demoed the JP SLW and found it to a good board, quite different to anything I've tried before. I'd love to read or try a comparison between the SLW and a big freeride board.
Many of the big free ride boards tend towards the novice user, so you want something with slightly sharper rails, fatter tail and a good plaining flat, ie. the free race category.
I used to have a Bic Fv1s (I think) many years ago, it was the early version of the formula board, around 80cm I think. Great early planer, light & stiff, worked with 7.5 to 10m sails with a 50cm fin. The board was fast in every direction and reasonable to gybe.
If you can still find one of those, they make a great light wind hacker.
I have had a superlight wind since they first arrived in Aus, well worth the money, it is as has been said user friendly, I am not a great sailor and believe that I would have difficulty on a full on formula board.
I actually know somebody that bought a JP formula before the super light was released and they have said in hindsight they would probably have bOught a super light if they had been available at the time.
