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| Post: #1 |
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Topic : |
New Kona Raceboard.? |
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Author : |
US 254
Date : 11/4/2009 9:39:30 AM |
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I hear some nice romours of a new - full on Kona Raceboard. Is true, and what release date.????
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| Post: #2 |
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Author : |
Ilan
Date : 11/4/2009 8:50:21 PM |
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The aging Warp380 has just left the Exocet range of boards; it is not completely unnatural if a successor will pop up at the Kona range.
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| Post: #3 |
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Author : |
Doug
Date : 11/4/2009 11:05:05 PM |
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Hey Folks, be careful with the "aging Warp 380x" comments!....I sailed mine last year and had a blast.....makes me feel old having an "aging" board! ;) ...
that being said, the exocet-original site has a email thread about a new Kona Raceboard that you'll e interested in ... go to that web site for details....
my limited experience says that all of the raceboards are pretty competetive and it seems to come down to the sailor, not the board...
I hope raceboards go a bit more mainstream as they have a huge wind range and are a blast to sail ... more people should get on them (especially those that don't sail in traditionally high wind/short board regions)...
I have a Kona One and the "aging" warp 380x and it is the best "short board/longboard combo for colorado that I can think of....be well and get on a raceboard!....d
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| Post: #4 |
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Author : |
Aussie
Date : 11/5/2009 12:02:22 PM |
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Yes, there is a Kona raceboard in the makes - called Kona 380 E - and apparently with more than 300 litres volume. Could anybody from Kona enlighten us..?
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| Post: #5 |
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Author : |
IJ
Date : 11/6/2009 6:39:39 AM |
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I have also had a blast for 2 years on my X-380. Such a huge difference being able to use big sails on raceboards, when in their heyday 7.5 was all that was available.
Looking forward to news of the new Kona raceboard as i plan to get one when available
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| Post: #6 |
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Author : |
Tor
Date : 11/10/2009 3:00:34 AM |
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Yes, we will launch the Kona 380 E in January next year. It is an evulution of the Warp X, and as such - quite an exciting concept. If you contact me directly; xcontact@kona-windsurfing.com (remove the x) I will be happy to forward graphics and further info.
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| Post: #7 |
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Author : |
Patrice (Kona)
Date : 11/10/2009 6:47:09 AM |
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The new Kona 380 is an evolution of the Warp X380, the volume of the board has been increase by 15 liters, new bottom shape as well, for the outline specification the board has the same measurement, no adjustable plate under the board also, this has allowed us to bring the fin box, dagger board and mast track more for back, the board has gain in term of speed upwind and ease to use in choppy condition, having the Box far back gives a better ability to the board for very broad reaching legs that is currently commpent in most raceboard races, On the reach compare to a Warp X380 the board will not carry as much power because the back fin has to be smaller being more far back, The dagger board is also new, wider in the base and to the max lengt(h of 85 cm, the dagger is thinner than our previous one , giving the board great potential and acceleration upwind, will send more pics soon of the board
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| Post: #8 |
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Author : |
rod
Date : 11/11/2009 7:28:43 AM |
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It's ironic that the step tail x-380 board was in the Exo range, then as soon as it no longer has a step tail, it is transfered to the Kona range :-).
I hope the new board is competitive in a racing environment, and of course that must drive the design, but I always thought the x-380 with its step tail and more forward footstraps and mast foot location made for a great high performane recreational longboard, especially with a lot of reaching, in the same way the step tail makes the One a great low tech recreational longboard. I'm kinda sad to see it gone, unless Kona are working on a high performance version of the One.....
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| Post: #9 |
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Author : |
Patrice (Kona)
Date : 11/12/2009 3:45:04 AM |
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i understand very well your point, the reason to take off the step tail is that race course today do not have reaching leg any longer or very few, most races are done with upwind/straight down wind leg so we did had to adapt the design to fit such course, having the fin far back with less surface certainly is easier to carry the board on very brought reach, but also will give it extra speed up wind, the down side is that the warp X380 may be still the quickest board on reaching leg i agree
i have been designing a lot of raceboard in the past on matter what you do in displacement mode, water length is the key, eventhough we had manage to get the X380 performing really well upwind the advantage of moving all the appendice gave better performance to the board, getting to the top mark in a good position is always very important as you know
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| Post: #10 |
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Author : |
Ilan
Date : 11/12/2009 9:02:48 AM |
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So why have you moved it to the Kona range? The step tail is the Konas trademark. The x-380 “belongs” there. At the same time the Kona is stamped as low-tech, something for beginners and amateurs. Here in Norway it is. The very opposite of the exotic image of Exocet.
Unless you have a very different situation the rest of the world, the new board will not benefit of this new location.
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| Post: #11 |
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Author : |
Patrice
Date : 11/12/2009 9:57:13 AM |
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Not sure why you mean low tech as we have several boards that are pretty high tech on all the wave line, i would consider the trade mark of Kona to be a longboard range rather than a step tail and low tech brand, and correctly Kona may have different perception depending on the countries
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| Post: #12 |
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Author : |
Rainer
Date : 11/12/2009 1:07:28 PM |
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Kona 380 and Kona One in one brand, this is perfec!t !
Raceboarders who do not like pumping can sail a Kona One, and amateurs/newbies (Kona One Sailors) who want to race under semi-professional conditions in the Raceboard Class can do the same, by sailing a Kona 380. Last year I sailed in the Kona Class and in the Raceboard Class with a WarpX. Next year I will be a true KONADIAN!: People can change the windsurfing class without changing the brand!
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| Post: #13 |
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Author : |
US292
Date : 11/12/2009 10:12:12 PM |
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I think the Kona 380 sounds Awesome. Are there any pictures out of what it might look like?
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| Post: #14 |
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Author : |
rod
Date : 11/13/2009 12:42:35 AM |
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http://www.konanordic.com/News.aspx?newsID=640&nPi=0
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| Post: #15 |
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Author : |
IJ
Date : 11/13/2009 6:16:01 AM |
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As mentioned previously i have sailed the X-380 extensively for around 2 years now and i think i know the boards plus points and negative points very well.
In my opinion all the changes for the new Kona are the right changes and if the new construction allows a good weight reduction over the all up weight of the X-380, the new board should be very potent on a racecourse, whilst still remaining a great board to sail.
I think the Kona branding rather than as Exocet is spot on.
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| Post: #16 |
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Author : |
US292
Date : 11/13/2009 5:25:20 PM |
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It looks like the tail is very narrow. Does this cause some problems in terms of early planning? I would love to hear from someone who know more about raceboard design than me. On another plus note it looks like this board will go up wind like it is on rails!
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| Post: #17 |
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Author : |
lars due
Date : 11/13/2009 8:12:03 PM |
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Patrice! The board is a beauty! well done!
if it is as nice to sail as to look at, we will probably get more racebaoardsailors:-)
I wonder if i can afford one? what will the price be? will the kona brand lower the price?
maybe you should promote the board in the Raceboard world championship in Latvia2010, as Starboard did in warnemunde 2009. We would be happy to compare it with both the panthom 380 and the older courseboards.
Do you have any recomendation for sail brands for the board? Will XO develope any 9,5 sails?
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| Post: #18 |
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Author : |
IJ
Date : 11/14/2009 2:38:11 AM |
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US292
The X-380 always surprised me at how early it got onto the plane. The tail is narrow but also has plenty of volume. Ok, I am 93kg and use a 10.5 Demon Design sail, but with the tail on, i am on the plane before big slalom boards, but a knot or so behind a formula board.
The new board has an additional 15 lit, not sure if that is distributed or towards the tail on the Kona.
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| Post: #19 |
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Author : |
John I
Date : 11/14/2009 12:47:49 PM |
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That's a great weight too. Gorgeous board for sure.
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| Post: #20 |
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Author : |
US292
Date : 11/14/2009 5:20:45 PM |
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IJ,
thanks for the info on the X-380. I typically hang around 87kg. So It sounds like I would have no problems. The board sure looks beautiful.
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| Post: #21 |
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Author : |
lars due
Date : 11/23/2009 10:08:42 PM |
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this tread just stopped............ Is there any comment to the pricequestion from the Kona-people. Will the board be as expencive as the warp x-380?
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| Post: #22 |
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Author : |
Raceboard Dude
Date : 11/25/2009 8:51:44 PM |
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E-mailed the U.S. Distributor (Aerotech Sails, Inc.) but no word yet about pricing or availability in the U.S.
Anyone heard anything beyond late January 2010 date?
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| Post: #23 |
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Author : |
Lars Due
Date : 11/27/2009 2:00:06 PM |
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it could seem like they have some trouble with the production................? This is what Ian writes at Longboard Journal:
Ian on November 25th, 2009 10:59 am I cant confirm the volume as yet. I can’t remember exactly but i think my X-380 says 270 or 280 lit on the hull. If the Kona is +15 then it should be just under 300 lit.
The Phantom states 303lit on the Starboard website and on the raceboard list, as does the non released Equipe 3 http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RaceboardCompleteList-1006.pdf
I can’t see any restriction on volume, only min weight within the Raceboard class rules.
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RAC2008CR271008-889.pdf
The specs on the ISAF list are just estimates that are used for initial registration. Final confirmation or changes, especially weight, are updated(seems never)after the first production run.
My X-380 is heavy, over 19Kg, yet has remarkable performance in light winds, so a touch more volume and lighter weight can only be good.
In stronger wind its not slow either, clocked 25.9K last week with a 10m sail where in the same conditions formula boards were a little slower.
So the basic hull is a good design and as i mentioned previously, the Kona is addressing the negatives of the X-380
I can’t imagine that it will not be competitive
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| Post: #24 |
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Author : |
Ian
Date : 11/28/2009 2:23:52 AM |
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Lars
Sorry, but where do i say that it seems like they may have trouble with production?
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| Post: #25 |
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Author : |
lars due
Date : 11/29/2009 10:26:59 PM |
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Soory Ian!
Tried to ask you at lbws if i could read from your comment that you had problems with the production, whitout any answer. I was a bit afraid when i was reading this:
Final confirmation or changes, especially weight, are updated(seems never)after the first production run
But it seems nothing be afraid of i presume?
:-)
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| Post: #26 |
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Author : |
Ian
Date : 11/30/2009 2:35:57 AM |
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No problem Lars.
As far as i know when the registration is done they register with the measurements that are known, such as length, width etc.
The weight is normally only confirmed after the production of a number of boards to get an average. I think the weight listed is the expected weight unless the boards are already in production. What i mean by (seems never) is that the weights are normally updated or confirmed on the Kona website once the data is available, this never seem to be updated on the ISAF list .
I don't think there is any problem with production and we should see boards available after the release date.
Hope this makes sense
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| Post: #27 |
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Author : |
pop
Date : 12/22/2009 9:12:13 AM |
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Got a chance to test the new 380 E last weekend. The condition is light 6-8 knots . I use my XO Silver 9.0 and my weight is 62 kg. My first impression is very positive . The board go on rail right aways when the daggerboard down and sail sheet in . The centerboard and the mast track position is perfect the board go very smooth and stable railing . The dead down wind is fast too but a bit technical and more difficult than the X 380 I think because the tail is thicker and the fin possition is all in the tail also nose is quit big and low. Overall , I think with this up wind performance and a bit of training on the down wind this will be a real winning race board this day.
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| Post: #28 |
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Author : |
Lars Due
Date : 12/23/2009 10:39:54 AM |
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Hi Pop!
Nice to hear that testing gives good impressions of the board. I cant wait trying it out myself. Can you describe more spesific what is the technical challenge by sailing the board downwind; is it unstable or do you get less noselift?
Did you by the way take any pictures of the board? What about the weight? Have they managed to get it lighter than the x 380?
Whish You a merry christmas!
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| Post: #29 |
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Author : |
pop
Date : 1/4/2010 12:18:16 PM |
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Hi Lars,
I'm sorry for this late reply. The 380 E that I try is the first production board which weight 14 kg and nearly 16 with fin,daggerboard,footstraps . Jean Marie told me that he will try to reduce the production board weight by 1 kg so its should be around 13kg . I'm not sure if its possible . In a very light wind condition the board down wind stable but I think, the 380 E has a big nose compare to other raceboard and by incresing the thickness at the tail make the tail flot more than the X380 and in the choppy condition you have the nose dig more and also the fin all the way to the back make it harder to surf than the X380 .
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| Post: #30 |
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Author : |
IJ
Date : 1/5/2010 6:03:51 AM |
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16kg all up sounds quite good, both of the X-380's i have had were 19-19.5Kg with 6 of the 8 straps fitted.
When are the boards available to be shipped ex factory?
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| Post: #31 |
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Author : |
Lars Due
Date : 1/5/2010 5:23:38 PM |
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Hi pop! Happy new year! :-)
This is interesting information. So i understand that it has been put more volume in the tail than the X380, right? Has it only to do with the removal of the step tail, or is it a change which should give an advantage in other conditions?
16 kg all included seems like a very good progress from the 19 kg X380
I am still curios to se some pictures..........
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| Post: #32 |
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Author : |
Tor
Date : 1/8/2010 12:53:53 PM |
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Hi IJ,
Seems like first production run will leave the factory in March - although we are pushing for a February batch.
Hi Lars (post # 17)
Yes, we have developed Race sails;
http://www.xosails.com/sails/rb.asp
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| Post: #33 |
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Author : |
Lars Due
Date : 1/8/2010 3:10:20 PM |
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Thanks Tor!
Looks smooth :-)
i am so happy that the sailmakers also se that raceboard is comming back!
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| Post: #34 |
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Author : |
IJ
Date : 1/9/2010 2:02:49 AM |
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Thanks Tor,
I'll get Rachel in the shop to get the order in once you are ready.
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| Post: #35 |
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Author : |
SM
Date : 2/22/2010 6:53:50 AM |
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Any updates on production?
When producing this board, did you test/benchmark against the latest phantom on the water?
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| Post: #36 |
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Author : |
Lars Due
Date : 3/16/2010 5:41:29 PM |
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Tor! What is the status of the Elite production?
Can we soon expect it to be distributed to our local shops where we have made an order?
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| Post: #37 |
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Author : |
SM
Date : 3/22/2010 6:31:08 AM |
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It's all gone very quite on the Kona E.
Any updates?
Can't wait for ever.
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