Hi guys,

I own a 120L Fanatic Shark model 2013. I generally like the board, the only back draw that I feel is its speed. Please note that this is only my subjective feeling. When I ride it, it just doesn’t feel fast. I have bought a custom carbon free race fin which makes noticeable difference but the feeling I could go faster is still present. Board feels heavy under my feet.

To explain this: Fanatic shark was a substitute for my older Mistral Syncro PRO 115 carbon board. I bought it because I wanted something more speed oriented and a little more durable and shark had good reviews. Syncro was light, lively but not that fast and a very fragile board. During my learning of jibes a did a fair amount of bashing and repairing :-)

Now I have the opportunity to get a second hand JP Super Sport 118L PRO model year 2009 real cheap ... I’ve been looking at JP Super Sport for some time now ... there are not many around in Slovenia and it is really only once in a while that somebody sells one ... and new are also rather expensive - 2000 EUR for PRO model.

So, does anybody have a personal experience with the JP Super Sport PRO 118 (preferably 2009) and how does it compare to the Shark HRS 120. My shark is newer model ... 2013 and I would not like to swap it for something that does not meet my expectation.

How does JP SS handle chop? Overpowered and underpowered conditions? How does it jibe? Are there some noticeable differences between newer models of the JP SS board (2009 vs. 2011) - on water not in theory :D

I will be sailing it mainly with 7,8 3 cam free race sail and optionally with 6,6 3 cam sail on flat water in stronger winds. Intend to buy one other smaller freerace fin - 36 cm - for stronger winds. Would this size be OK?

Thanks for comments and advice.

Gregor

jn1 said..
Hi Greg

Beware that the SS went a design change from 2011 to 2013, and the 2012 design changes were said to radically change the handling of the board. After 2013, the SS's got wider and shorter.

I have only ever owned and used one SS (a 2012 109L), so I can't compare years.

J

Hi, J

Thanks for your input. I have browsed many forums and pages. I know that JP states that changes of shapes have radical impact on the boards performance but lets be honest ... every manufacturer says so whenever they change something on a board. And they need to make constant changes because we expect them to do so. Beeing in marketing I know it is more marketing than real revolution each year. That is why I seek feedback and first-hand experience from you guys. I know that for the JP SS model 2009 was said that it is the best board in freerace range (source: german windsurf magazine).

gregorpi said..

jn1 said..
Hi Greg

Beware that the SS went a design change from 2011 to 2013, and the 2012 design changes were said to radically change the handling of the board. After 2013, the SS's got wider and shorter.

I have only ever owned and used one SS (a 2012 109L), so I can't compare years.

J

Hi, J

Thanks for your input. I have browsed many forums and pages. I know that JP states that changes of shapes have radical impact on the boards performance but lets be honest ... every manufacturer says so whenever they change something on a board. And they need to make constant changes because we expect them to do so. Beeing in marketing I know it is more marketing than real revolution each year. That is why I seek feedback and first-hand experience from you guys. I know that for the JP SS model 2009 was said that it is the best board in freerace range (source: german windsurf magazine).

In some cases I feel that it's an actual radical change IE the Tabou Rockets from 05/06/07/09 are smoother to me compared to the newer 2012+ models. Regarding the shark, I had a 2009 and felt the same way about top speed. I've tried the 2010 supersport and the 2010/11/12/ futuras and thought the Futura was easier handling but you can't go wrong with either.

Sailhack said..
I owned a Shark, albeit an older model and it also was definitely lacking in speed. Not sure on the SS, but after owning a couple of JP xcites, I'd take a solid gamble that the SS would be a much more livelier and faster board than the Shark. The Shark seemed to be a very placid and easy to ride board, which is why I thought I'd purchase it. In the end, the lack of speed drove me nuts.

It felt like mine stalled at full-speed due to the footstrap placement and maybe the rocker shape? Can you demo the SS? If so, that would be the best comparison.

I'm from Slovenia - Europe which is a small mediteranian country and unfortunately we don't have test centers or test days for that matter. We only have a handfull of shops with windsurf equipment in the whole country ... To wait if some newer second hand board of this type would be available is a loterry so I decided to go with the JP SS PRO 118 2009. The price was 280 EUR with original mint condition fin and bag included. Board had some rapairs made so I took it to one guy that makes custom boards and does board repairs to check it out first. He gave me a green light. If I'm not happy with it I think I should have no problems in selling it. So now I guess I can wait for good forecast to test it out.

There is one other part of my original post that nobody has addressed yet - about the fin size of the smaller fin ...

G.

Joe has a point here - some boards feel much slower than they are if you look at GPS data. Some boards also let you sail slow or fast, depending on stance etc. Many slalom and freerace boards only can go fast, and always feel fast.

I think the Shark was a good board to learn how to get into the straps, start planing, and carve into jibes. But I'm not sure how great it was for continuing to improve your skills after that. I found the excitement factor lacking the last time I sailed Sharks in Togabo. The Gecko was as easy to sail, often easier, and felt a lot faster while still being very controllable in chop. I did not touch Sharks again after a day or two, and the Gecko became my go-to board. So I think that Fanatics decision to effectively replace the Shark with the Gecko was a good one.

joe windsurf said..
i am VERY sad to hear you find the Shark "slow"
sometimes the easier to ride boards just feel slow ...
everyone i speak to says the Shark is NOT slow -- http://www.fanatic.com/forum/read.php?1,22216

if you wanna go fast --> freeride --> freerace --> slalom
the JP SS is definitely considered freerace
Fanatic has some nice choices too

for me 7.0 sail is about 40 cm fin
and 8.x is 48
some use 44 for both
so, for 7.8 i would not go under 40 cm
even in bigger winds, but each person has their preferences ...

Hi Joe,

please don't understand me wrong. Shark is a nice board and I quite like it. It is fast compared to most freerides ... especially with the freerace fin. I just need to see if I can go 'beyond' shark. Supersport was an occasion that presented itself ... no need to change the fins (PB system) or sails ... bought it but unfortunately haven't had the chance to test it out yet. I still have the shark and if the JP SS is not an upgrade ... well we will see ... I intend to test both boards also with the GPS (android mobile in a waterproof bag) and see what the data say. This will be interesting ... subjective feeling of speed vs hard data :D