SIC Bayonet shape vs. Bullets?

[burchas]

Thanks Burchas... and since you just rode the Downtown 27",  can you comment more on it?

All things being equal, meaning same fin and similar conditions, the
downtown at 27 wide felt slightly less stable than the bayonet.

The downtown also felt somewhat sluggish on the smaller bumps compared
to the bayonet even-though it supposedly packs 13 more liters.

When I wasn't riding the tail, the downtown felt more locked and wasn't
as maneuverable as the Bayonet, I think the single concave vs the bayonet's double concave is the reason for that.

on the sections where the wind was somewhat sideways, the downtown
felt a lot more labored trying to surf perpendicular to the wind to correct course and did get pushed around more easily.

Hype aside, the downtown is not a great flat water board as Infinity would
like you to believe, neither the bayonet for that matter. Yes, you could get away with that if you can only afford one board but neither boards are as pleasant in many conditions as the Maliko IMO, Not a fun ride other than downwind.

First impression for me is a big deal, I don't need to spend more than
2-3 hours with a board in mixed conditions to know if it's a keeper.

If you'll try sell me either as an all around board, I'll pass and get the
Maliko, but for downwind specific, especially in conditions like Hood River
or some big bays I often visit both would be the ticket, especially if
conditions are sticky.

I really had some good times on the downtown but my first choice for that kind of board would still be the bayonet based on first impression.

in both cases I didn't have an optimal paddle and I over finned the boards
so this is far from a complete and good review.

I'll have to try the downtown 25 if I have enough time, somehow I feel this
boars was created in that width and the 27 is just to accommodate
larger audience.

I'll try to do some videos.

[Dusk Patrol]

Good information. Isn't Big Winds great?

[PonoBill]

I suspect Big Winds will have a Bayonet in their rental fleet this year. Flow in the river is down dramatically, as is level and the temperature is up. We suddenly have a sandbar again as I learned when I ran into it testing (flailing about) my Sailfoil adaption for my Kalama foil board (didn't work--I had the mast track placed at the center of the board, failing to realize that it should be somewhere in the center of the distance from mast to nose. Duh.) Anyway, the Big Winds event center location was open yesterday, and one of the peeps said the shuttle would start running soon.

Yea!

So far June has been a bit like Junuary, but it's transforming to actual summer now. Blue skies and sun today.

[burchas]

Good information. Isn't Big Winds great?

Big Winds is super awesome and their service is phenomenal!

[burchas]

I suspect Big Winds will have a Bayonet in their rental fleet this year...

...So far June has been a bit like Junuary, but it's transforming to actual summer now. Blue skies and sun today.

just to reaffirm your suspicions The Bayonet a had is from Big Winds.
And I’ve just discovered there is a free shuttle bus that will drop you at Viento so you can pickup your truck in case you have no other option http://catransit.org.

When I landed in Oregon, all forecasts suggested I’ll have many flat water sessions
But I’ve been riding bumps even before I had a place to sleep

[PonoBill]

And I’ve just discovered there is a free shuttle bus that will drop you at Viento so you can pickup your truck in case you have no other option http://catransit.org.

What??? I didn't know that.

[burchas]

Just had a session with the Downtown 25". As I suspected that board
was meant to be for that width.

More reactive and much more maneuverable, even slightly more
maneuverable than the Bayonet. The board feels zippier at this width.

I made sure to put a shorter fin with less area to really give it a chance
to go wild. for some weird reason it felt more stable than the 27, on par
with the Bayonet, though the bayonet felt more in control off the tail.

I actually prefer Infinity's deck pad over SIC's, especially when paddling
for long periods and I appreciate the fact they added front leash plug and
multiple handle plugs on the front.

The only problem with this board is that I got to demo it along side the
Bayonet 17.1. and it was kind of an on/off day where the wind lights up
and shuts down.

Bayonet 17 just puts the downtown to shame even in Hood River's short
period stuff and even without the rudder installed, just my ocean fin.

It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight, not on the same level. But I guess
I shouldn't be surprised. the Bayonet 17 just picks up every shitty bump that
no other board can and makes something out of nothing.
My buddy was screaming and cursing at me for few miles until I took pity
at him and let him catch on so we can switch boards again.

The Downtown needed a 20+ wind to start feeling lively, anything under
and it felt like a dog compared to both bayonets. I'll have to give it a go
in the ocean to see if I'm missing something but for Hood River conditions,
I'll take a bayonet every-time and preferably the 17.

The 17 even without a rudder is still very maneuverable and as far as
paddling, it feels much of a smoother ride than both downtown and bayonet 14.
At 25" it feels a lot more stable and easy going, I can only imagine it
as a custom with 5-7 pounds lighter than the 34lbs production.

Once I rode this board it's somewhat hard to go back to these 14's, they feel
like a chore in comparison. IMO if you're on the market for a DW specific
and you have the engine to power a 34lbs board, skip the 14's and go straight
to the Bayonet 17.

I'll try to put some clips up as soon as I have some downtime.

[PonoBill]

Imagine what the difference is when you weigh 235# and you'll know why I'm not a fan of any 14.

[Luc Benac]

Thanks Yuval.

How are either of the Bayonnet when wind dies or you need to quarter or upwind to get to the bumps?

[burchas]

Thanks Yuval.

How are either of the Bayonnet when wind dies or you need to quarter or upwind to get to the bumps?

When the wind dies the Bayonets are the boards you want to be on.
The 14 can catch stuff almost from stand still. The 17, as long as you keep it
moving, will pickup stuff you didn't even know exists.

Haven't tried it upwind, good point though should you want to use it
for upwind/downwind sessions.

[burchas]

Interesting review Burchas. The Bayonet looks very nice. I would love to see some videos.

Here is a clip I put together. Tried to show the acceleration and speed of
the Bayonet 14. Wind was somewhere in the teens, gusting at low 20's.
Towards the end you might even notice how the board skip over bumps.

Should give you an idea of what you can expect from the board in these
conditions. All in all I have somewhere around 2 hours on this board so
I'm sure there is more to it.

[supnorte]

Cool video! Thanks!

[digger71]

Great info!  Thanks for posting all this Burchas. 

Are you liking the LA Manta fan for the Bayonet so far?  I'm going to be using a Bayonet 14 in Hood River in July and curious to see where you land fin-wise.

And did you say someone was on an RS 23 out there?  That's some impressive balance if conditions are as wild as normal.

[burchas]

Great info!  Thanks for posting all this Burchas. 

Are you liking the LA Manta fan for the Bayonet so far?  I'm going to be using a Bayonet 14 in Hood River in July and curious to see where you land fin-wise.

And did you say someone was on an RS 23 out there?  That's some impressive balance if conditions are as wild as normal.

The Manta has good hold but feels very loose. you can notice the jitter while on the tail.
I know some who like it that way, I personally like the LA GTS better, at 7.5" (vs 8.5" Manta)
with more base you get more control on the tail.

Russ is on the RS 23. I spent sometime on it but with a BlackProject Sonic fin, I was losing
too many strokes to account for balance, it's working well for Russ at paper weight but not
for me with 180+lbs. With Russ on it you can see the RS 23, with its extra rocker, has good
downwind chops.

Have fun in HR, I kind of jump the gun a little and came too early for good consistent conditions.

[Area 10]

Great video burchas, thanks for posting. You are gunning it there. I’m impressed with the bumps given that the wind is so light.