On Apr 6, 1:22 pm, James <d0ugl...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Roger Jackson had a couple Phantoms at OBX windfest last year. I rode
> the 301 (the original, shorter & wider model) and was pleased but not
> enthralled; it might just have been that the very small weedfin
> installed on the board was holding it back from proper tracking and
> planing. The 301 is now discontinued but looks similar in dimensions
> to the 2008 Starboard "Rio" boards. I never got on the Phantom 320
> that Roger had, but from watching other people on it, the 320 seemed
> to glide and cruise more like a true longboard.
>
> At the same windfest, Ride Hatteras had Kona and Pacer boards for
> demo, and I rode either the Pacer 290 or the 300 (can't remember
> which). The wind was less than 10 knots and I didn't like the pacer.
> The sharp daggerboard stuck up through the deck where you would
> otherwise stand in light winds, and the formula style fin required
> deep water.
>
> The Kona I liked so much that I bought it, so that should tell you
> something! It was cheap, too. If I had more $$ I would get the
> Phantom 380 for my personal use, but I still think the Kona or a wider
> foam-deck board like the Rio or Start would be the best family day at
> the beach board.
Here's my 2 cents: Don't rule out a SUP as a family board! Lots of
SUPS have options like mast tracks, fully padded decks, and center
fins. Anyone with a day or two of wide board sailing experience will
do just fine sailing a slightly narrower SUP. They've got the glide
in flat water, and the ability to handle big surf, too! They can kind
of plane in flat water, but not anywhere close to a performance
longboard. If you get rid of the "Planing Only" mentality, these
boards are great fun and will get you on the water everyday! And if
there is absolutely no wind, ditch the rig and go for a paddle! These
boards have the broadest range of use I've ever seen. Anytime,
anywhere!
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