Author Topic: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race  (Read 259477 times)

burchas

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #555 on: December 14, 2018, 02:38:32 PM »
I don't know about Nelo but I rode my Standamaran and a hollow F16 on an off-shore downwind runs,
both full of water due to worn-out o-rings, and made it back with no issues other than taking the
boards out of the water as they were too heavy to carry by one man.

Apparently SIC add certain amount of foam inside just for that purpose, maybe Nelo does the same
for their ocean grade crafts?
in progress...

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #556 on: December 15, 2018, 01:22:56 AM »
Hollow constructions for surfskis and boards aren’t all the same. Nelo’s hollow construction uses a foam core (a sandwich) construction that will provide buyancy even if you have a hole in your ski or board.

I can vouch 100% on that having destroyed one of my Nelo craft on a little island offshore: I am still here ;)

Durability:
Nothing will last for ever... but my board now has over 27000km on the roof of my van with no cover/no protection... and about 1100km on the water... AND still looks brand new each time I clean it. That’s just a whole more that I can say for a multitude of other boards on the market.

Ocean use?
I’ll vouch for my board there too... it surfs like a dream (even though I’d call it a little technical with side shop - perhaps due to my feather-weight). Still absolutely fantastic with each acceleration. Its rear rocker makes it a truely fun board in lighter DW conditions... I’d say they nailed that for sure.

Valve:
Check out the new one-way valve: how clever!
(Now they can lower the deck even more... perhaps in the near future)
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #557 on: December 15, 2018, 02:58:06 AM »
Are they going to make these in widths that the average (weight, ability) paddler could cope with, or are these boards just going be specialised equipment for the dedicated racer market?

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #558 on: December 15, 2018, 04:46:38 AM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #559 on: December 15, 2018, 11:22:44 AM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.

I had a Lightcorp 14x24.5, but only worked really well in flat conditions. Now I have the SIC RS 14x23 and that seems to me more stable. Although is also tippy, but does not roll.

My paddle buddy with 20 kg and 20 cm less copes with the 14x24.5 Light Corp without problems. Even in downwind conditions no problem.
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #560 on: December 15, 2018, 12:29:37 PM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.

I had a Lightcorp 14x24.5, but only worked really well in flat conditions. Now I have the SIC RS 14x23 and that seems to me more stable. Although is also tippy, but does not roll.

My paddle buddy with 20 kg and 20 cm less copes with the 14x24.5 Light Corp without problems. Even in downwind conditions no problem.
Sorry for the hijack, but how different is your 14x23 RS in terms of stability and speed than your 14x26 RS? I’ve got a 14x26 RS and it is so stable in flat water that I’m considering getting the 14x23 too. I probably should have got the 14x24.5 originally, but I didn’t realise quite how stable this board was going to be. Now I’m not sure that if I get the 24.5 there will be enough of a difference to justify the expense, so am thinking about the 23 instead. However, I once owned a 14x23 JL Sidewinder and found that even at my average weight, it didn’t really work well, and was much faster with a light person on board. So if you don’t mind me asking, how heavy are you, Mr Proper, and is the 23 useable in the ocean as well as flat water? Recently I was paddling with one of the world’s best elite pros, and he was on a 14x23 RS and fell off it in mild ocean chop (he was turning to talk to a friend, mind you), so I do wonder.

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #561 on: December 15, 2018, 02:25:35 PM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.

I had a Lightcorp 14x24.5, but only worked really well in flat conditions. Now I have the SIC RS 14x23 and that seems to me more stable. Although is also tippy, but does not roll.

My paddle buddy with 20 kg and 20 cm less copes with the 14x24.5 Light Corp without problems. Even in downwind conditions no problem.
Sorry for the hijack, but how different is your 14x23 RS in terms of stability and speed than your 14x26 RS? I’ve got a 14x26 RS and it is so stable in flat water that I’m considering getting the 14x23 too. I probably should have got the 14x24.5 originally, but I didn’t realise quite how stable this board was going to be. Now I’m not sure that if I get the 24.5 there will be enough of a difference to justify the expense, so am thinking about the 23 instead. However, I once owned a 14x23 JL Sidewinder and found that even at my average weight, it didn’t really work well, and was much faster with a light person on board. So if you don’t mind me asking, how heavy are you, Mr Proper, and is the 23 useable in the ocean as well as flat water? Recently I was paddling with one of the world’s best elite pros, and he was on a 14x23 RS and fell off it in mild ocean chop (he was turning to talk to a friend, mind you), so I do wonder.

I had the same thoughts too. I think the difference between 26 and 24.5 is too small and that's why I decided for the 23. But also because my wife likes it a lot. For me, it should only be in the very flat, because I'm actually too big and too heavy for the 23. SIC gives a max riders weight of 88.5 kg and I have 93kg at 195 cm.
I usually paddle only on lakes and rivers. On holiday for the sea I have the 26.
Unfortunately, I can not say anything about the speed, since I've paddled the 23 only in wind and waves so far. As long as the waves do not come directly from the side, that works very well. At least I have not gone swimming yet. By the sea, the board will probably be too narrow for me.
I'll report as soon as I can test the board in calmer conditions and say something about speed. At the moment I have the feeling that the cold water costs speed. But maybe I'm just unfit.
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #562 on: December 16, 2018, 12:57:36 AM »

(Now they can lower the deck even more... perhaps in the near future)

On the GT, they certainly have licence for that. Even at my 90kg, I'm still a good inch or so off the waterline.

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #563 on: December 16, 2018, 12:58:55 AM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.

I had a Lightcorp 14x24.5, but only worked really well in flat conditions. Now I have the SIC RS 14x23 and that seems to me more stable. Although is also tippy, but does not roll.

My paddle buddy with 20 kg and 20 cm less copes with the 14x24.5 Light Corp without problems. Even in downwind conditions no problem.
Sorry for the hijack, but how different is your 14x23 RS in terms of stability and speed than your 14x26 RS? I’ve got a 14x26 RS and it is so stable in flat water that I’m considering getting the 14x23 too. I probably should have got the 14x24.5 originally, but I didn’t realise quite how stable this board was going to be. Now I’m not sure that if I get the 24.5 there will be enough of a difference to justify the expense, so am thinking about the 23 instead. However, I once owned a 14x23 JL Sidewinder and found that even at my average weight, it didn’t really work well, and was much faster with a light person on board. So if you don’t mind me asking, how heavy are you, Mr Proper, and is the 23 useable in the ocean as well as flat water? Recently I was paddling with one of the world’s best elite pros, and he was on a 14x23 RS and fell off it in mild ocean chop (he was turning to talk to a friend, mind you), so I do wonder.

I had the same thoughts too. I think the difference between 26 and 24.5 is too small and that's why I decided for the 23. But also because my wife likes it a lot. For me, it should only be in the very flat, because I'm actually too big and too heavy for the 23. SIC gives a max riders weight of 88.5 kg and I have 93kg at 195 cm.
I usually paddle only on lakes and rivers. On holiday for the sea I have the 26.
Unfortunately, I can not say anything about the speed, since I've paddled the 23 only in wind and waves so far. As long as the waves do not come directly from the side, that works very well. At least I have not gone swimming yet. By the sea, the board will probably be too narrow for me.
I'll report as soon as I can test the board in calmer conditions and say something about speed. At the moment I have the feeling that the cold water costs speed. But maybe I'm just unfit.

The design is so crucial. I found the drop from the 2017 24.5 Allstar to the 2018 23.5 a much bigger jump than expected. The former board was rock solid, the 23.5 I have found useable but with a surprising amount of challenge..... and that was just due to shaping tweaks and a n inch loss.

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #564 on: December 16, 2018, 01:00:48 AM »
Just for info, I got the 2.0 14x23. They make the 14x24.5 which should be tons more stable, and they make the GT that is even more stable yet.

I am not racing, but I imagine that the GT or the signature 2.0 in 14x24.5 should make advanced and expert paddlers pretty happy.

I was told by another paddler that they found the 24.5 Signature a lot more stable than the 23.5 GT. I haven't tried the 2.0 yet. I may well do when I hand the GT back.

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #565 on: December 16, 2018, 02:11:35 AM »
Are they going to make these in widths that the average (weight, ability) paddler could cope with, or are these boards just going be specialised equipment for the dedicated racer market?

I'll ask but if you think about it, I thinks its unlikely. The designs (in terms of design, feel and price) are very uncompromising. The cost associated with new moulds isn't cheap and I think they would have done it already if they were planning to. The Signature launched with two widths already but the GT only one.

I'll say this, based on the two paddles I'd had so far, if I were looking for a new board right now, this is what I would buy. I'm tired of heavy boards that look like crap after 6 months.

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #566 on: December 16, 2018, 06:28:39 AM »
“if I were looking for a new board right now, this is what I would buy”.

Ok, so if a board you demo doesn’t make you buy it, whether you are “looking for a new board” or not, then it isn’t that great an improvement over what you already have. :)

When you tell us that you’ve just spent 3700 GBP of your own money on one, that’s when I’ll really take an interest.

It would be lovely to think that I could buy this board and finally get under an hour for the course I’ve been paddling (and trying to do just that) for 10 years. But experience has told me that that is just a pipe dream. Mostly, with boards, what you gain in one direction you lose in some other, and it all seems to even itself out more or less. So gains are small that way. The thing that makes a big difference however is training. So maybe if I bought this board and found it so damn tippy that I lost some weight and used a balance trainer every night, then I might then go faster and achieve my goal. However, if that series of events occur, is it accurate to say that it was the board that made me faster? In some ways of looking at it, the answer is “yes”. And in others it is “no”. It’s a tricky philosophical conundrum:)

burchas

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #567 on: December 16, 2018, 11:26:25 AM »
...is it accurate to say that it was the board that made me faster? In some ways of looking at it, the answer is “yes”. And in others it is “no”. It’s a tricky philosophical conundrum:)

In your case I think it's very straight forward though, after years of paddling and countless boards, if no one board made you get there it is safe to assume no board will ;)
But I agree with your assessment that if demoing that board didn't make ukgm buy it I guess there was no "shaking your head in disbelief" moment that we rarely get from a new board.

I suspect the real thing this board has going for it is the construction quality to weight ratio. It's nothing to sneeze about, but maybe not to a point it will make one part with a hard earned 3700 GBP.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2018, 11:28:28 AM by burchas »
in progress...

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #568 on: December 16, 2018, 11:51:36 AM »
“if I were looking for a new board right now, this is what I would buy”.

Ok, so if a board you demo doesn’t make you buy it, whether you are “looking for a new board” or not, then it isn’t that great an improvement over what you already have. :)

When you tell us that you’ve just spent 3700 GBP of your own money on one, that’s when I’ll really take an interest.

It would be lovely to think that I could buy this board and finally get under an hour for the course I’ve been paddling (and trying to do just that) for 10 years. But experience has told me that that is just a pipe dream. Mostly, with boards, what you gain in one direction you lose in some other, and it all seems to even itself out more or less. So gains are small that way. The thing that makes a big difference however is training. So maybe if I bought this board and found it so damn tippy that I lost some weight and used a balance trainer every night, then I might then go faster and achieve my goal. However, if that series of events occur, is it accurate to say that it was the board that made me faster? In some ways of looking at it, the answer is “yes”. And in others it is “no”. It’s a tricky philosophical conundrum:)

Well, my answer didn’t make my intent clear. Bear in mind this board loan was always with the reason of writing a review, not with the consideration of possibly buying it. Put simply, it wouldn’t be worth me buying any new board this year as I’m only planning on racing SUP once (at our national sprint champs). However, wanna take a guess at what board I’m probably borrowing for those ? ;-)
« Last Edit: December 16, 2018, 11:56:45 AM by ukgm »

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #569 on: December 16, 2018, 05:35:43 PM »
The board that Arthur Carvalho Mas Santacreu used to win the ISA sprints so convincingly against a field of bigger names?

 


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