NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race

[ukgm]

Part of my current thinking is this, if SUP follows the guidance of rowing and kayaking (in that “the percentage loss of speed is one sixth the percentage increase in mass”), My current level of weight loss from 2017 and the weight reduction of moving from my allstar to the Lightsignature (circa 10kg total) should yield a 1.5% or circa 0.10-0.14kph increase in flatwater speed for me (and that's not including any hydrodynamic gain of that board over the more allwater designed allstar).

That's a major upshift in performance as far as I'm concerned.

[photofr]

Couple of facts you may want to consider:
The new Nelo 14x23 is said to be currently less than 8.5 kilos.
Even based on about 10kg for the board, and based on your math, the 1.5% equates to about 1.5 minutes ahead of competition on an average 20km race. One and a Half minute is a huge win.

How about if I tell you that a "standard" 14x25" board will eventually be much lighter, like 7 or 8 kilos?
How does your math look with a 8-kilogram board, including the fin?

Taking this to the next level, not even I could do the math under DW conditions, however:
Take an 8 kg board on your favorite 20km Downwind run, how many times are you "accelerating the total mass"

Typically, on my surfski, I estimate about 300 distinct accelerations - and it's been made abundantly clear to me that this task is much easier with a 9 kg surfski than with a 14 kg ski.

[ukgm]

1) One and a Half minute is a huge win.

2) How about if I tell you that a "standard" 14x25" board will eventually be much lighter, like 7 or 8 kilos?
How does your math look with a 8-kilogram board, including the fin?

3) Typically, on my surfski, I estimate about 300 distinct accelerations - and it's been made abundantly clear to me that this task is much easier with a 9 kg surfski than with a 14 kg ski.

1) That's enough for me to win regional races and place in the top 5 of the biggest races in our country.

2) That's another reason I held off as I assumed they are still perfecting the lay up.

3) Whilst I agree with you, the limited information in kayaks and rowing doesn't support the gain is that great (see the formula I quoted). However, SUP may well be different due to its lower cruising speed and its higher deceleration per stroke compared to those other craft (I've measured this using a smart phone accelerometer). I'm personally inclined to agree with you.

The real question is whether a paddler could handle this specific design of board on a busy start line. Of that I remain unsure (and any footage you find of this board always shows it alone or in the lead so its hard to tell). Just out of interest, do you have a relationship with this company ?

[photofr]

Since SUP clearly decelerate SO MUCH after each stroke, the weight factor (lack of weight in this case) would seem far more important than we think. Smaller paddlers like myself may notice that weight difference even more.

One thing is crystal clear to me:
Take any board, or simply take your favorite craft - reduce its weight by 8 pounds and see the result.

BUSY START LINE?
I can't say. Heck, at this point, I really wish there were more than 5 or 10 images of the board. And how is it that people don't understand the importance of communication on their products? This is 2018!!!!

[Area 10]

I doubt that the speed gain in the real world from dropping the weight of the board will be anything like as big as you think. Sadly. But I’d love to collect some data on that.

[ukgm]

I doubt that the speed gain in the real world from dropping the weight of the board will be anything like as big as you think. Sadly. But I’d love to collect some data on that.

It certainly hasn't in surf ski's, kayaks and rowing shells (there is published data out there on those). With SUP I don't know. Mind you, some good news is that I've just been contacted and offered a Nelo to trial for a bit !

[Area 10]

It will be interesting to see what you think of the Nelo.

Btw, is “Nelo” pronounced “kneelo” or “nello” (as in hello)?

[photofr]

I don't know about top notch racers. For me, average shape paddler with plenty of experience, a lighter surfski has proved an average increase of 0.5 km/h - not about, not sort of, BUT an overall increase average of 0.5 km/h.

Surfski tested extensively were:
Epic V8 (15 kilos vs 11 kilos)
Epic V10 (12 kilos vs 9.8 kilos)
Nelo 520 (12.5 kilos vs 10 kilos)
Nelo 560L (13 kilos vs 11.5 kilos)

If the exact same SUP board yields ANYTHING close to that because it's light, I will be a very happy camper!!!
(and than add the joy of board handling when it comes to a super light board, add durability and the works - and I am more than ever pretty certain to have found something "interesting")

[photofr]

Congrats on getting a Nelo (NAY-LOW)

[Area 10]

Congrats on getting a Nelo (NAY-LOW)

Ah yes, of course. Nay-Low. Heigh Ho, heigh ho, it’s off to work we go, on a Nelo.

[photofr]

That's right.
You'll have a mellow Nelo Day

[Quickbeam]

Just out of interest, do you have a relationship with this company ?

Photofr,
Not an issue, but I'm also curious?

[Area 10]

Just out of interest, do you have a relationship with this company ?

Photofr,
Not an issue, but I'm also curious?

Sounds like we might be needing to ask ukgm that same question too

[photofr]

Nope - No - and NOPE.

I was a rep for Nelo, I took part introducing all Nelo surfskis in France for about 2 years. I sold my last surfski about a year before leaving the company, so needless to say, when it was time to quit, I had a choice to make - and what ski(s) to purchase.

It was down with two companies: I simply chose Nelo because of construction, fit (near perfect on my Nelo 560M), and durability. I thought I was going to get a stellar deal, especially since I ended up purchasing a new ski for my wife as well as a K2 for the both of us. The whole thing cost me an arm and a leg (but think of it as an investment for good health).

Since you ask, I will emphasise this:
I was going to get a deal on the skis but didn't.
I was going to get free shipping as well - but ended up paying full shipping price as well.
Regrets? Of course... for the money, but I'd do it again.

I am no longer associated with:
Starboard SUP
Braca Paddles
Nelo Surfskis

I have never been associated with:
Nelo SUP

Meanwhile, and this should tell you a lot:
Because of durability (or lack thereof) I have decided to never purchase another board made with styrofoam.
I can paddle any surfski on planet earth - I have chosen a Nelo.
I can paddle any paddle on earth - some providing more enjoyment than others - but I paddle exclusively Braca paddles - EVEN FOR SUP.

That should clear the air a little. CHEERS!

[ukgm]

Just out of interest, do you have a relationship with this company ?

Photofr,
Not an issue, but I'm also curious?

Sounds like we might be needing to ask ukgm that same question too

Nope. However, for purposes of transparency, I did informally speak to Lightsignature by email last year a few times to get as much info as I could about the board and the UK Nelo kayak rep is a contact of mine (and this is now how I've managed to access one to trial).