Jimmy Lewis Rail

[Eagle]

The Bullet 14V2 is more of a small conditions DW board.  The first gen V1 DCC with rudder I did not like as the rudder was positioned too far forward.  But the 14V1 carbon with fixed fin was the most fun I have ever had on a DW run.  The board planed with ease and was super fast.  The double concaves and panel vee was the secret sauce in a light weight board.  Weighs about the same as the V2.  There are a few good used ones around - but not many.

The 14V2 is a nice stable AW DW board that is more versatile.  Good if you have only one board and want to do a few DW runs each year.  Many paddlers really like that board as it is so user friendly.

[Eagle]

laszlo - the F16 is a much more stable board than the Bullet 14V2.  Kinda like an aircraft carrier.  I was told that Mark says the F14 is the most stable -> then the F16 next.  To give some perspective firsthand - if I step on the tail as in the pic - the nose of the Bullet does not even reach the tip of the M14.  You can stay super forward on the M14 and catch every bump easily and not ever pearl.  The original M14 is not that great planing because it has a flat tail designed to surf - not plane like a directionally stable panel vee.  Jimmy is taking up the light weight void with his Rail.  The original M14 and Bullet 14V2 provide a well diversified DW mix.  Big vs moderate conditions.  A good single DW board would be the original Bullet 14 carbon.

[coldsup]

coldsup - why switch to a 28 Rail from your M14?  Our original M14 is the perfect DW board when conditions get festive.  Much rather be on that vs my Bullet.  So much more stable surfy and fun.

Eagle....nope...I ain't switching ...no need to. If I was to get another board...say if the M14 I have bust in two or something, then I would buy the 28 Rail instead as I think it would go better in our smaller conditions. It would maybe plane quicker etc. But then I haven't been on a bullet....but they are pricey over here.

[viatormundi]

A short video showing the shape of the Rail

[viatormundi]

Here come couple of more pictures of the 14x28 Rail

[Area 10]

That's a seriously gorgeous board. It looks like a M14 crossed with a Bullet V1 and then cleaned up a bit. Quite a bit less rocker than the early M14s for sure. That looks like it would be a really great all-round ocean/DW board.

You haven't got a pic of the board upside down and from the side have you, so we can see the rocker line?

[viatormundi]

Area 10,

would these pictures help?





It is getting dark now, otherwise I can take some more pictures tomorrow.

[Area 10]

Thanks very much. It looks quite a lot like a Bullet 14V1 but probably with lower rocker. Hence why the rocket issue is so critical I think. I reckon there are a lot of people who would want a slightly lower rockered Bullet V1 that is better built and cheaper...

[Eagle]

Yeah - that board is a very nice update to the M14 and a lot different.  Lighter weight - lower continuous rocker - softer edges - thicker volume.  Probs has the beautiful JL finish and graphics as well.  A modern spin on the Bullet 14 theme in widths narrower and wider than 27.25 - and much lighter than the TWC.  Probs handles more forgiving than the Bullet with its continuous rocker.

The M14 should still be much more stable and handle adverse conditions better with its flat bottom - hard edges - and thin volume.  The M14 sticks to the water like velcro where the Rail should release faster -> just like Jimmy intended.  The M14 is like the elder statesman and the Rail the young kid.  A M14 and 26.5 Rail would be a nice DW quiver.  Here are some more pics of my M14.

[mrbig]

I sent Jimmy an email and he responded with a detailed and comprehensive response.

I took a screen shot and am attempting to post it.

Aloha! B-I-G

[Eagle]

Yep - the changes Jimmy made to the underbody of the Rail make sense to free up the board.  The Bullet 14 and my Touring pintail have those same attributes.  Very easy to release and plane with directional stability.  My original version of the M14 has no panel vee at the tail - it is flat everywhere which makes the board stable and predictable but wants to be on an edge at speed.  He is right on when he says if you want to do a lot of DW runs -> get a DW board.  Makes it so much easier and so much more fun.  You can do it on an AW or race board - but it simply is less fun.   

[yugi]

Eagle,

I would venture to guess (based on you’re riding an Allstar23) that you could replace your Bullet V2 and M14 with a Rail x26.5. Pretty perfect quiver, an Allstar 23 and a Rail 26.5.

The Rail26, like Headcase says, is best for 160 lbs and less (up to 190 if skilled). it’s a nimble board but very predictable.

You should try one, Eagle. I realise with your cold waters that the Bullet and M14 will always keep you dry but at your level it would;t take long to tune into a Rail26. 
 
Personally a Rail26 would be the ideal quiver of one for me. it may seem odd I don’t want a flatwater board on a lake but here we get mega boat chop in summer afternoons and risk a pretty good wind picking up from any direction at any time so a board capable of chop and sidewind is essential. Not planing on winning any races anyway.

[Area 10]

Have you tried a 14x26 Bark Vapor, Yugi? There's a new super-light one for 2017 (full carbon, vacuum-bagged, and a claimed 8 lbs lighter (!!) than the standard board). It is fast and fun downwind, will cope with just about anything wind- or chop-wise, and is a shade faster in flat water than a rockered downwind board.

[Badger]

This thread is a perfect example of how important quality images are in understanding the shape of a board and what it's designed to do.

Way back last winter/spring when the Rail first appeared, the pics were terrible and all the videos were taken from GoPro's which do little to show what the board looks like or how it rides.  The pics that were available at the time made it look too much like a race board and I had little interest in it. The pics on the JL website aren't any good either.

The photos on this thread really show the true shape. The Rail is nothing like what I thought it was. Now I want one.

When will companies like JL and Sunova learn how important quality images are?  The website is where the dealers get their info. If the website is clueless then so are the dealers, and potential customers are left in the dark. It just makes good business sense to have a good website. It should be the nucleus of the company.

[yugi]

^ Sunova has those great videos with Burt Berger explaining them, and they are on the website. yes, we do need a killer DW board from Sunova. Not a dugout please, nice clean surfboard inspired design.

Rogue has great presentation videos.

Everyone has a Bullet or a friend who has one.

I have a friend who has a Rail that I get to use.

Bases covered.