Magic Ride/Gecko/Volar

mmclimbhigh · Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Posts: 42

Hey Wind Junkies!

I hope you all are staying safe and well during these challenging times. Looking forward to sun, wind, and camaraderie when this dark cloud passes over!

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a larger board for light wind sailing. Due to many factors (such as fin compatibility, price, etc.), I've narrowed down my choices to:

JP Magic Ride 142
Fanatic Gecko 146
Goya Volar 145

All boards are over 80 cm wide, about 250 cm in length, and around 22 lbs. They all utilize a powerbox fin and would fit my sail quiver nicely. It is doubtful that anyone has had the chance to sail all three boards, but I figured I'd ask anyway...

For those that have used one or more of these boards, what are the pros/cons? Any one board stand out above the rest? I'm looking for something that will plane easily and be somewhat maneuverable in the jibes and tacks.

Lastly, does anyone want to sell one of said boards??? Tough to find used.

Thanks guys! Be safe out there. See you on the water soon!

Cheers, MM

grantmac017 · Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946

I wouldn't buy a board that size which wasn't foil ready.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

They're all "foil ready".
Use Pb foils, or the head.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:26 pm Post subject:

Goya, no clue.
Other 2 imo a toss up.
Lean slightly towards Fanatic.

Buying used, you may be fortunate to find any.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:30 pm Post subject:

https://denver.craigslist.org/spo/d/parker-windsurf-board-freeride-135/7089372518.html

mmclimbhigh · Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Posts: 42

Thanks for the link U2. Pretty good price for that setup. I'm looking for something a bit wider than the Rocket. My everyday board is a 110L Firemove (236 x 74) and I'm focused on something bigger for the light wind days that typically roll around here in SW Colorado mid-summer. 140+ liters and minimum of 80cm wide.

Thanks guys. Keep the comments coming!

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

I would think that a board with a reenforced deep Tuttle finbox would be a sounder choice, especially if you could be considering using a foil into the future. Even you aren't thinking about foiling, it would ultimately offer a higher resale potential overall. Also, I think that a deep Tuttle finbox give you a better choice of larger fins for light wind sailing, particularly if thinking about 50cm+ sizes to support 8.0-9.0 sails.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

Ditto on the Power box. I wouldn't trust a PB fin much over 40 cm. For 80 cm board I would want at least Tuttle box.

Demod both JP & Fanatic. Both boards are easy to ride & jibe. Let cost decide between the two. Have not sailed the Goya, but the ones I have sailed are very good boards.

Coachg

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

I had the JP Magic Ride 104 as my big board me at 165 lbs and largest sail at 6.5. Nothing special about the board and nothing wrong either. Because it was wide for the volume I thought it might get on a plane quicker than some other boards. But it didn't seem any faster to break free. In fact it seemed to need to be sent down wind and more pumps to get going. It went thru lulls well but bounced going into the turns. Once on edge it carved nicely. It did ride a bit ruff in the chop for a board that size... Rode a 2019 Goya Carrera 115 for a season and it was a sweet board. High light was turning and a smooth ride in chop. Might have lacked a little top end compared to a free race board but when the water got choppy it was easy to control and that made it fast...

grantmac017 · Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946

I wouldn't use a PB foil on a wide board. DT for more than ~70cm.