JL 10'4 & 10'8 surf models

[CB1]

Has anyone ridden these new JL models ( 10'4 & 10' and possibly draw comparisons to the older JL 10'er , which I know is shorter and slimmer than these 2 new models.  Mainly wondering if the bottom shape has changed from the original 10'.  Does these new JL models still have the vee running up through the boards mid section (where you would stand while paddling)?

There hasn't been much talk about these boards, so curious.  Read the Ke Nalu but it didn't go into details on the bottom shape.

Thanks!

[gjbstandup]

Cb1

info@realkiteboarding.com

 email Trip Forman  at RealKiteboarding.
thay are the main distributor of the JimmyLewis line..He could direct you to an answer about the JL models. ie surf series models.. He will best explain the ins and out of the Jimmy Lewis line.
 When and if you get info,  post what he says,  i would be interested too.

[PonoBill]

We tested all the new JL boards in the showcase. I loved them, though they're a little small for my weight and ability. http://www.kenalu.com/showcase-index/

[nesurfari]

Bill,

Mahalo nui loa for all your time and effort in putting on the SUP showcase. It was an impressive event! I had a great time and was able to ride more boards and with more paddles then one would think possible in a single day.

CB1

I am 6'1" and weigh 215 and have been surfing for a little over 20 years. I started SUPing with a Laird 12' last April and also got a Jimmy Lewis 11' both of which I enjoyed immensely. Up here in New England last summer there weren't many other brands of SUP boards floating around so it's not like I got to try anything else. At Pono Bill's SUP Showcase in Maui in February I think I tried something like 20 different boards and was left dazed and confused Maybe just a little overwhelmed by all the choices.

I did get a chance to take the JL 10'8" for a spin for a few microwaves and definitely had a good time on it but I also had a good time on a dozen other boards as well. I was in Maui for a month and brought two surfboards and my paddle. I surfed everyday for two weeks and then rented JL 10'8" for the remaining 17 days of my trip. Needless to say my surfboards collected dust in a corner as I SUPed everyone of those 17 days except for maybe one day off! After a week Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport called for the 10'8" because somebody wanted to demo it.

I was hesitant to bring it back because the JL 10'8" is a great board for me and I didn't want to give it up. But they have a large selection of boards to try and you can trade them in and out anytime you want. I went in and grabbed the JL 10'4" but was a little worried that it might be too small for me. Those concerns were put to rest the next morning when I had my first session on the 10'4".

I rode both of those boards in waves ranging from knee high to head and a half plus. Both were a joy to ride and extremely maneuverable. I'm not going to bow to the SUP cliche of they surf like shortboards but I could put them into turns that I don't think I can even do on my 9' high performance longboard. Going back to my JL 11' or the Laird has been miserable and they feel like I'm riding a sidewalk on the water or something stiff like that.

I can highly recommend both the JL 10'8"and 10'4" especially for guys who are a bit on the bigger side.
The 10'8" obviously paddles better then the 10'4" but the 10'4" is a little snappier in turning. Also the 10'8" has a higher level of initial stability then the smaller board. I definitely think I'm going to pick up a 10'4" sometime soon as it was a BLAST to surf. My last morning out SUPing at Kanaha before flying home to New England a guy paddled up to me after I kicked out of a wave and said something like, "...that board (JL 10'4") was made for you." I'm now glad that HISS called me to give up the 10'8" because I was totally in love with that board until I unwillingly gave it up for my new love the 10'4"

CB1, if you need any more info on either board shoot me an email...

[PonoBill]

I kind of forgot about these articles. here's one on the specific boards you're asking about:
http://www.ponohouse.com/ponoblog/2008/01/31/new-jimmy-lewis-boards/

And here's a video of me turning the boards into submarines, and still having fun:
http://www.kenalu.com/2008/02/06/big-guy-on-little-boards-jl-106-and-108-pintail/

[CB1]

NeSurfari, thanks for the great review!!  I currently weigh in at 190lbs and am 6'.   Since it seems you loved both boards equally, makes it a tough to choose between the 10'4" and 10'8" (but you did say your new love was the 10'4"!).

Bill, thanks for the links!  I'll review those as well.

I did e-mail Jimmy to ask questions (super guy, always willing to help!).  He called the shape flat with vee in the tail.  Said the vee was mainly in the tail, but has to transition into the flat. So it determines on what you want to call vee which will determine how far up it goes.  Basically he said 4' up from tail is not totally flat, but it's not enough to call it  true vee.