Jimmy Lewis Carbon versus epoxy

[toolate]

Anyone can comment on relative advantages?
Cost surely is one factor along with weight
How about surf performance and ding resistance?

[Area 10]

Can we please get this "epoxy" thing straight? All production SUPs are epoxy. Epoxy refers to the type of resin used. Carbon refers to the type of weave/fibreglass used. So the question doesn't make sense.

What you presumably mean is eg. "carbon versus non-carbon"?

There are pros and cons to carbon boards. The main reason to use carbon is to reduce weight. The main reason not to use it is cost. Most people find lighter boards more responsive in most situations, although this is not always an advantage. Carbon layups are generally less durable because the manufacturers are using the carbon to reduce the amount of material they need to use to achieve a given stiffness, and carbon is strong but brittle.

Think carefully before buying a carbon board because for most people it won't really affect their performance much, and they are a lot more expensive. But a lot of high end boards these days only come in carbon.

[Eagle]

Weight and handling are the main advantages.  Acceleration and dent resistance are others - provided the carbon is not laid up overly light.

Cost is the fundamental disadvantage.  Cracking and splitting from impacts are others.

Having paddled both carbon and glass boards in the same make and model - we always prefer the carbon layup as long as it is not too light.  Since retail costs are high for what you get - we always wait until the price drops substantially - or buy demo or used.  Depreciation rates are extremely high for carbon boards - sometimes 50% or more after only one year.  We simply refuse to take a big depreciation hit.

Since we are never in any rush to buy any board - we wait until the time is right - or buy something else.  Most any high quality board is good provided it is watertight.  Since we have a 4 board quiver - any other board we buy has to be priced very attractively - be full carbon - and be lightweight.  We have 2 full carbon boards - 1 half carbon - and 1 Jimmy Lewis Signature glass I-beam.

Paying 4 or 5k for any SUP is not our idea of fun - or justified.   

[toolate]

Well the JL wave boards are about 250$ more than the glass boards
Still  under 2 k where I can buy them

[Eagle]

Would go for the Carbon then.  Here in Canada a JL Rail carbon goes for $3549 plus freight and taxes.

http://www.jimmylewis.ca/?page_id=2434

[toolate]

Yikes only 1750 USD here

[mrbig]

Random thought, old surfers often do not like the feel of carbon boards, whereas old windsurfers do!

Obviously referring to surf sups..

[Area 10]

Yikes only 1750 USD here

2700 USD here in the UK. It's crazy how different prices of the same board are in different markets worldwide.

[coldsup]

if it is one of the JL surf SUPs then the standard production models are light and strong - personally I wouldn't need anything lighter than what they already are.

If you are talking the race boards/DW boards then maybe a diff matter...depends on what cash you have to splash.

[toolate]

Yeah sorry I am speaking of the surf sups
Wish someone would do a glass versus carbon comp

[Bean]

Longboard or short-board style? 

I've commented before about how lively my JL 9'6" feels.  It actually does ride like a traditional "polyester" board, which in my mind is a good thing.  Not a board that I would want to stiffen up with CF.  But, for a short board which is already naturally stiff due to the shorter length, I would consider CF simply to save weight.  As far as durability, fiberglass and CF are pretty much on par these days, my CF Naish seems very ding resistant (although not ding proof apparently.)

Having said that, I've always felt it far more important to have the right size and shape board to match your size, skills and waves than the actual board construction itself.

[Caribsurf]

I LOVE my 8'7" Jimmy Lewis Kwad, and while it is not carbon, it is VERY light and the construction is top notch and it surfs beautifully.  Can't comment on a Jimmy Lewis carbon, but I own a Hobie CM Raw carbon board and love it, but I bought it used and would never have bought new...carbon too pricey and I am not sure they are always worth it.

[tobyyen]

July 2014, I have first Jimmy Lewis Super Tech 7'5 "is carbon construction, until now, no problem.

[toolate]

Looked today at the JL STun gun the WW and the Spertech. All three look nice. Anyone who owns them and can say which they end up using the most?
I surf Hawaii south shore mostly. Waist to double overhead. Of course many days with side offshore breezes but waves are pretty clean.
I guess hard to go too wrong but any advice most welcome

[johnnysup]

I have a stun gun 8'2 normal construction and a WW 7'9 carbon. I weigh 175 and i'm 6ft. They are both great. I mostly use the WW, its crazy light and responsive and makes small surf super fun. The stun gun is an epic board and can handle double overhead waves with no problem even with my shaky knees. I dont think the stun gun would be any better in carbon, might even bounce a little if lighter in bigger and bumpy surf. Huge fan of all JL boards. The more the merrier...