Author Topic: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race  (Read 259419 times)

Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #645 on: January 22, 2019, 01:17:08 PM »
Well I am sure not buying a board because Hasulyo is racing for the brand.....just like I did not bought a Maliko because Kay Lennie or Casper were paddling Naish. I bought one because, Burchas, Area10 and DJ vouch for it and what it was like on the water and because I found a good deal for a used like new one in my region.
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Area 10

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #646 on: January 22, 2019, 02:39:51 PM »
Well I am sure not buying a board because Hasulyo is racing for the brand.....just like I did not bought a Maliko because Kay Lennie or Casper were paddling Naish. I bought one because, Burchas, Area10 and DJ vouch for it and what it was like on the water and because I found a good deal for a used like new one in my region.
Yeah, the best way if determining if a board is for you is to try it yourself. But if you can’t, then the recommendations of “people like you”, and who have no COI, is definitely the way to go. Definitely the least effective strategy would be to just pick the board that the elite racers of the moment is using. Those guys and girls could make any POS work - and that has happened sometimes over the past 10 years.

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #647 on: January 23, 2019, 01:23:20 AM »
@AREA:
Interesting responses.

@EVERYONE:
I can vouch that I am no longer racing anything... but I totally enjoy a good workout, pushing myself a bit, and having a lot of fun. For this, I see a number of boards that would be well suited for my needs, including the Signature 2.0.

How can we say that this board isn't versatile?
How can we automatically assume that it won't surf well, or downwind?
The fact is that while the 2.0 has a nicely rounded hull, it's far less rounded than say the 1.0 version.
The fact is that the 2.0 isn't a flat water board (the darn thing isn't flat by any means). Just take a look at its very existent and pronounced rear rocker.







Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #648 on: January 23, 2019, 02:25:57 AM »
Well I am sure not buying a board because Hasulyo is racing for the brand.....just like I did not bought a Maliko because Kay Lennie or Casper were paddling Naish. I bought one because, Burchas, Area10 and DJ vouch for it and what it was like on the water and because I found a good deal for a used like new one in my region.

It's because you're a well informed exponent of the sport though. Most of the market isn't and often doesn't want to be. People like ourselves will demo, demo and demo some more. Most though will look around at the start line, see what everyone else is using and go with either that or what their apparent idols are using. It's the same in most sports with feelings on this shaped by peoples perceptions of whether they think the technology makes much difference in their performance. I personally believe its relatively close enough between the main brands designs now to lead people to assume that it doesn't matter. As a result, we now need a technological leap to shake things up. A 4-5kg weight drop of a race board is a bloody good place to start.

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #649 on: January 23, 2019, 02:53:41 AM »
I just hope you guys were amused by the first photo - and its LIGHT sticker showing. ahahah
Yeah - making boards lighter (and stronger) is a great place to start.

Totally agree though:
There needs to be more board choices. I think they are on the right track with the GT vs. the Signature.

The fact that Nelo is taking care of the build may very well mean that in the near future, we'll see a M, L and XL designation... After all, Nelo is one of the few kayak in the World who will currently accommodate tiny, medium, large and extra large paddler (for the SAME kayak). So again, we are likely to see that come about with SUP boards. I know that I CAN'T WAIT.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #650 on: January 23, 2019, 04:15:52 AM »
@AREA:
Interesting responses.

@EVERYONE:
I can vouch that I am no longer racing anything... but I totally enjoy a good workout, pushing myself a bit, and having a lot of fun. For this, I see a number of boards that would be well suited for my needs, including the Signature 2.0.

How can we say that this board isn't versatile?
How can we automatically assume that it won't surf well, or downwind?
The fact is that while the 2.0 has a nicely rounded hull, it's far less rounded than say the 1.0 version.
The fact is that the 2.0 isn't a flat water board (the darn thing isn't flat by any means). Just take a look at its very existent and pronounced rear rocker.





Well, *does* it surf and downwind well, compared to its competition?

It wouldn’t matter though: it’s a hot tub and having owned a hot tub before, I’m never going to own one again. Hateful things. There’s a reason that they aren’t used universally by elite racers. For technical and beach racing etc they are generally a liability. They are hard to carry and transport too. The obvious place for one is pure flat water. But most don’t want a board that is that specialised. They also just look ugly.

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #651 on: January 23, 2019, 04:29:52 AM »
In my view, if i could have a shape like the 2017 Starboard Allstar shape but with this construction method, I'd never want or need another board. Lightsignature in their own literature make no apologies for the fact their shapes are uncompromising but they'll miss a trick if they don't consider this soon..... before someone else does. Mind you, it won't be Nelo's K1 competitor Plastex. Their new hollow board has major issues in my view.

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #652 on: January 23, 2019, 05:09:38 AM »
In my view, if i could have a shape like the 2017 Starboard Allstar shape but with this construction method, I'd never want or need another board. Lightsignature in their own literature make no apologies for the fact their shapes are uncompromising but they'll miss a trick if they don't consider this soon..... before someone else does. Mind you, it won't be Nelo's K1 competitor Plastex. Their new hollow board has major issues in my view.
Yes, exactly.

We’ve seen many brands try to get too clever over the past 10-12 years. They figure that if they make a highly specialised board and pick their races then they will get podium places and then everyone will start buying their boards. But this strategy only survives as long as the first demo by your intended demographic. Soon the word spreads like wildfire that the board is an absolute pig in chop or beach races, or in flat water (whichever applies), and then it’s all over for your brand. It’s a slow crawl back then, and can take several years, while your retailers tell you that your superboards are now hanging on the wall as a monument to the arrogance of the person who designed it. You gotta listen to your punters. Make the board easy to use, versatile, well-made and good-looking and you’ll clean up.

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #653 on: January 23, 2019, 10:38:47 AM »
@AREA:
Interesting responses.

@EVERYONE:
I can vouch that I am no longer racing anything... but I totally enjoy a good workout, pushing myself a bit, and having a lot of fun. For this, I see a number of boards that would be well suited for my needs, including the Signature 2.0.

How can we say that this board isn't versatile?
How can we automatically assume that it won't surf well, or downwind?
The fact is that while the 2.0 has a nicely rounded hull, it's far less rounded than say the 1.0 version.
The fact is that the 2.0 isn't a flat water board (the darn thing isn't flat by any means). Just take a look at its very existent and pronounced rear rocker.





Well, *does* it surf and downwind well, compared to its competition?

It wouldn’t matter though: it’s a hot tub and having owned a hot tub before, I’m never going to own one again. Hateful things. There’s a reason that they aren’t used universally by elite racers. For technical and beach racing etc they are generally a liability. They are hard to carry and transport too. The obvious place for one is pure flat water. But most don’t want a board that is that specialised. They also just look ugly.


@AREA:
I have been on better downwind machines... The Ace, The SIC Bullet UL (which will DW quite well).

However, I find that the Signature 2.0:
- Surfs and DW better than some competitors (the Sprint 14x23 for example).
- Surfs better than the Ace (way more manoeuvrable, in my opinion, and easier to step back with my lightweight).
- DW better than the Allstar FOR ME - as I have way more fun with the 2.0 and its accelerations, linking bumps, and simply catching bumps.
- Excels on the flats, though it could be even faster on flats had they not made it so versatile.

It's not a perfect board - but man, it's well thought out. However, you are right: the Signature 2.0 (14x23) isn't for everyone.

Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

JEG

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #654 on: January 23, 2019, 02:06:52 PM »
@AREA:
Interesting responses.

@EVERYONE:
I can vouch that I am no longer racing anything... but I totally enjoy a good workout, pushing myself a bit, and having a lot of fun. For this, I see a number of boards that would be well suited for my needs, including the Signature 2.0.

How can we say that this board isn't versatile?
How can we automatically assume that it won't surf well, or downwind?
The fact is that while the 2.0 has a nicely rounded hull, it's far less rounded than say the 1.0 version.
The fact is that the 2.0 isn't a flat water board (the darn thing isn't flat by any means). Just take a look at its very existent and pronounced rear rocker.






nice looking board though

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #655 on: January 28, 2019, 05:23:23 AM »
Thanks JEG!
Custom-colors :) :) :)
Follows the tradition of my surfskis.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #656 on: March 01, 2019, 07:56:02 AM »
Its been a while but here is my review of the GT board that finally came out today. It's a long and detailed review but apologies there isn't on the water footage but I picked up a virus (then a shoulder injury) and was unable to complete it. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation with the brand and I (sadly) have to give the board back. I thought it was great.

https://www.supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/light-board-corp-gt-14-x-23-5/
« Last Edit: March 01, 2019, 07:59:01 AM by ukgm »

Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #657 on: March 01, 2019, 08:10:17 AM »
Its been a while but here is my review of the GT board that finally came out today. It's a long and detailed review but apologies there isn't on the water footage but I picked up a virus (then a shoulder injury) and was unable to complete it. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation with the brand and I (sadly) have to give the board back. I thought it was great.

https://www.supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/light-board-corp-gt-14-x-23-5/

Great. Will watch it this week-end. Bryce how much open water down-winding testing have you included in your review (just for my info in interpreting the results into my World)?
Cheers
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #658 on: March 01, 2019, 08:14:15 AM »
Its been a while but here is my review of the GT board that finally came out today. It's a long and detailed review but apologies there isn't on the water footage but I picked up a virus (then a shoulder injury) and was unable to complete it. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation with the brand and I (sadly) have to give the board back. I thought it was great.

https://www.supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/light-board-corp-gt-14-x-23-5/

Great. Will watch it this week-end. Bryce how much open water down-winding testing have you included in your review (just for my info in interpreting the results into my World)?
Cheers

To be honest, none. It was used on flatwater and chop (upto a couple of feet high). The weather didn't play ball with anything else.

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #659 on: March 01, 2019, 10:04:49 AM »
Its been a while but here is my review of the GT board that finally came out today. It's a long and detailed review but apologies there isn't on the water footage but I picked up a virus (then a shoulder injury) and was unable to complete it. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation with the brand and I (sadly) have to give the board back. I thought it was great.

https://www.supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/light-board-corp-gt-14-x-23-5/

Nicely made and informative for the most part.

I do have issue with your assertion of 4kg difference from the competition though.
for the most part is a single kg to 2kg difference for a board with same dimensions.

Furthermore, foam boards can come even lighter than the Light Board Corp GT.
My Infinity Blackfish was 19.5lb(8.85kg) so the emphasis on wight might be
a little bit over the top.

Realistically, I could have an 18lb SIC RS 14x23.5 for a better price. Construction going
to suffer for sure but I'll have the edge in racing which is what this board is for.
in progress...

 


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