Magic Ride/Gecko/Volar

[killeen_john]

I used a 2018 Goya Volar 145 durring a windsurfing clinic at Calema back in early March right before the pandemic. Tinho's shop/school is worth checking out if ever visiting the area.

I'm not an expert windsurfer like the others here so, take my feedback with a grain of salt. This was my first experience with these wide/thinner profile boards and I didn't find anything to complain about. It was easy to sail in a variety of conditions and handled small chop well despite being 10 cm wider than my Tabou Rocket 145. I've never tried the Magic Ride or Geckco so, can't provide a direct comparison. At the end of the day, you probably couldn't go wrong with any of the boards being considered.

[coachg]

[U2U2U2]

FB east coast Hatteras

But boards , stuff from all over, a couple from Saturn.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1727103254174491

[U2U2U2]



https://www.facebook.com/groups/1727103254174491/


You are on a quest.
Cause your looking for a series of specific board, not new. No clue on if you may find exactly what , you feel the perfect board, ahh maybe that’s too far, looking for the board that ticks the most boxes.
Buyers conformation: it’s done mentally after the purchase is made, where you gather all the good stuff and turn it into the ideal board. Ideal doesn’t exist. Really.






You are on a quest:
A quest is a journey toward a specific mission or a goal. The word serves as a plot device in mythology and fiction: a difficult journey towards a goal, often symbolic or allegorical. Tales of quests figure prominently in the folklore of every nation[1] and ethnic culture. In literature, the object of a quest requires great exertion on the part of the hero, who must overcome many obstacles, typically including much travel. The aspect of travel allows the storyteller to showcase exotic locations and cultures (an objective of the narrative, not of the character).[2]The object of a quest may also have supernatural properties, often leading the protagonist into other worlds and dimensions. The moral of a quest tale often centers on the changed character of the hero.

[U2U2U2]

Suggestion, call or email Andy Mckinny at Wind NC.
Ask him his suggestion for a board.

[ss59]

All three of the boards on your shortlist are BIG intermediate freeride style boards. In the size you have chosen c140L, they are either aimed at early intermediates or heavier (110kg+), sailors. With that in mind, they will all be easy to sail and pretty sedate (dull). The problem with comparative feedback on these boards is that they will generally be owned by people who are either early intermediates or heavier and so unless you are also in that group, the findings will have limited value and/or accuracy. In the case of an early intermediate, the small differences between each of these boards are irrelevant in the greater scheme of things.

I suspect you don't fit into either of groups as you normally sail a Firemove 110 and what you actually want is something you can put an 8m+ sail on??

If that is the case I suspect you'd be far happier with a bigger Firemove (135), goya bolt 127, SB Futura 117 or 127, Fanatic Blast 130, JP supersport 122 - of that lot my personal pick would be a Futura 117.

[U2U2U2]

SS59 post::

This entire post, is informative. I don’t know quite a few of the boards, but the judgemental parts are just that .
What I find most interesting, is I have ridden 3 boards that fit into the general grouping .
The way I would describe all of them is how you have, DULL.
None were spirited, they were all easy to ride, easy to plane, easy to turn, not snappy, easy, easy to come to grips with. Compare to a horse in a stable, they are the ones that are safe for anyone, wont let you down, not a great analogy, but true to form.
The Tabou, I’m not pushing its sell, Rocket, is close to the other end of the spectrum,
In enough wind( it has 3 fins) it planes fine, it’s top speed is hampered , same fins,
It turns like a rat with Nike’s, it has lots of character. To me top speed, fast is overrated, once on the plane, that’s my goal, and to stay there. Much like a fast wave board, who cares.

[AG80]

Thanks for the beta! I am leaning towards the Gecko at this point. I'm hoping to work on dialing in the jibes, heli-tacks, and carving more than drag racing.


I think any of the boards you mention would work well. I can only give personal experience on the Gecko. It would serve you well on learning all the skills you mention. It is a very forgiving board and will allow you to work on your jibes and tacks easily. It will not be as fast as some of the boards mentioned in this post, but will allow easy progression in lighter wind and the skills will then transfer to your smaller gear. I ended up selling my board, but at times wish I kept it for the lighter wind easy cruising days.

For my inland lake sailing I ended up with a longboard (great for gusty 0-20 mph wind) and 115L and 94L short boards. Works well for me.

[coachg]

German surf magazine just did a comparison of 7 freeride boards in the 125 liter range that included the Fanatic Gecko, Goya Volar & JP Magic Ride.

In comparing just the 3 against each other.

For carving the JP was first, Fanatic second & Goya third.

For lower middle speed JP first, Fanatic second & Goya third

For top speed the Goya first, JP second & Fanatic third.

For sporty feel the JP first, Goya second & Fanatic third.

Coachg

[U2U2U2]

Now all he has to do is find one.