Demo JP SUP 9'3"

[Surfdog93]

Gonna drive to Miami tomorrow and bring back a 9'3" to demo here in Jupiter.
Winds/waves are forecast to increase Saturday, so will definately be getting out to try it.

It will be interesting to see if the 9'3" (128l) turns a bit more on it's rail like a windsurfing board.....gonna be fun.

[Weasels wake]

Now don't go teasing with this, I'm interested in that board for both sports as well, so I'd like a complete report with pics, video, drawings, and music.   
Or maybe just a honest report w/ a pic or two. 
Thanks in advance  "\m/"

[Surfdog93]

Mini Update.

I picked up the board yesterday and also got in a quick session.....

'Cool shape (a bit fish-like), with glossy red finish on bottom and rails, average weight for SUP. It has just (1) threaded insert for mast base connection. Thruster fins are quite flexible, while main fin is stiff.

Getting on the water was not as easy as with my Fanatic Fly 10'. The rails are so slick that it is difficult to carry the board and sail (6.2m Naish Force) once they are connected. The rails on my Fly are sanded and are much easier to grab a hold of.
Since it's a brand new demo, I did not want to slide it in the sand either......getting out of the water proved to be even more difficult.

The conditions were not ideal, onshore  to side-on 15-20 kn, 2-3 ' waves, but I wanted to get wet and at least get an impression.
http://www.evsjupiter.com/pics/s22/jan0510q/j151435e.jpg

Immediately I noticed that the deck pad is very slippery compared to my Fanatic. Strange, since when dry it seemed to have a lot of grip. So this was a problem and I don't wear boots. I really had to pay attention to keep my feet planted and my knees more bent to absorb the chop.

The board does go upwind very well while shlogging and gliding/planing. It also requires much less sail power to glide/plane, than my barge-like Fanatic.

I got in some planing jibes going down waves and the board certainly react more like a small sailboard and holds the rail all the way through the turn......much,much better than my Fanatic.

I did try to ride some waves, but the slippery deck made it very difficult and I started putting way more pressure on my back foot. In contrast, I have dropped in on "real" waves on my Fanatic and never hesitated, just shifted my feet as I wanted to change the pressure on the board. Thinking about it, I am all over the Fanatic and move my feet a lot.

So this morning I have some mixed feelings about this board. For me it's all about the experience. My Fanatic has given me approx 10 very good sessions, 4 awesome sessions and only 1 not great. 

Our conditions will be improving with winds going to sideshore and I'll give the JP another shot, but with some shoes.

If anyone wants to see some pics of this board, I can email you.

[DavidJohn]

Here's some pictures of the one at our local shop.

DJ

[Surfdog93]

Yep, that's the one.

Saturday turned out to be windier and direction was more sideshore. I decided to take my trusty Fanatic Fly and JP FSW 102 and each board got about 2 hours water time.
I am finding that I enjoy the Fanatic even when fully powered, as long as I can de-power some on the wave.

I mentioned the slippery deck to the shop and they said JP was already addressing the issue

[Weasels wake]

Hummmm, that's a pretty 'old school' looking template, hips up front, long drawn squash tail, I'd have to see that thing working first.  Good looking rails though............ but still.  
Kinda surprised at the looks of it coming form JP.

[DavidJohn]

I hope to catch up with Jason in the next couple of weeks while he's back home in Oz so I'll ask him.

I'm guessing that the wide point forward will help paddling for a wave when you step forward.. and even for the odd nose ride.

I also think it should work better in big wave than most other boards that have the wide point further back.

The rails did look good.. So did the rocker and bottom shape.. There is V running through most of the board so it might be less stable than most single/double bottom shaped boards.

The V should help it roll from rail to rail when turning it.. The 9" center fin looked a little large but should help with stability.

DJ

[Velasco]

Anybody have any updates on this board regarding it's sailing/sup'ing abilities?