JL Flight Deck vs Litewave Wing 153

[Younger]

I am a 245lb 6'4'' slip of a lad. Started a while back and riding a Waroo 13m and Best Spark can stay upwind fine if the wind gets up over 16knots. Anything less than that and I start wallowing and heading for long walks.

I want to change my board for one that will give me a lower wind range and have narrowed it down to the Jimmy Lewis Flight Deck or the Litewave Wing 153. These appear to represent the best value in boards for light wind (& fatties).

However also bear in mind that when the wind is in the mid teens I generally have ~ 2+ feet of chop, so I am concerned that the Wing's wide edges may be troublesome as the chop increases.

Any helpful views would be much appreciated.

[flipper231]

Give Lee Brittain at Rogue Waves (rowaveboards.com) a call. He shaped a 150x48 for me. With the flight deck you have only one size. My RW goes up to 20 knots and gets me going in less than 10 with a 15m (I am 190) so it could get you going in 10 or 12 given the right technique. Lee shaped the rails thinner so I can go upwind better.
Does not cost a dime to look them out ans speak to him and you will end up saving a few bucks (A tad cheaper than JL for a real custom board-not production). He is the Canadian distributor for JL and a friend of his so he can give you the right info regarding his customs compared to JL.
Have fun

[CaptainArgh]

I haven't ridden the Wing but did try out the Flight Deck. While it was a bit heavy, the FD was a lightwind board that rode very nice when powered up. The softer edges also made it much better in regards to face spray or catching a tip as opposed to some of the more traditional plank-like lightwind boards out there.

At your weight, this is going to become more of your all around board, so I'd say choose any manufacturer's largest traditional board, as opposed to getting a light wind specific ride that'll suck in chop. FD should work. You should also try the large size of the Caution Hustler. That is a nice board for bigger guys and was also shaped by Jimmy.

[tucker]

Im 6'5" 230 and have a flight deck for light wind. It is a great board. I was thinking i would use it for an all around board but have graduated to a jl supermodel 140. i get bounced around real good in chop on the fd, but it was great for progressing and still a great light wind board. had a large naish board, cannot remember, think a the haze xl, and it was a slab of fiberglass and had very little forgiveness or feel. good luck and get a fd

[Younger]

Thanks guys. Sounds like the best option is an FD or a similar board from another maker.

[Jimmy Lewis USA]

What did you end up getting, and how do you like it?

New Jimmy Lewis Flight Deck 147 has just been released.

Super Model comes in 142
Model 3 comes in 145
Both would be good options for freestyle, but the Flight Deck handles great in chop and tricks.

DSC_9993x1v1comp.jpg (76.67 KiB) Viewed 1948 times

[Younger]

I got a Litewave wing 153. Only used it once since but went well in winds where I would not previously have been able to plane or stay upwind. Without being able to test either board, it came down to reviews and price in the end.

[FL Kiteboarder]

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I have a 2009 Litewave 153 Wing as well.

How do you like the footpads on your Wing?

Once you take a moment to adjust them, they're pretty sweet, IMHO.




Marc
Cabrinha - XBOW '09 16m / Naish - Cult '10 13.5m / GK - Trix '08 12m & 9m / Eclipse -Thruster '08 14m
Kiteboarding Videos: Feat. Nobile, Mystic, GK, Litewave, Flyboards, Ozone, Naish, Cabrinha, & More

[Younger]

Itewave footpads and straps are good. As you say once you adjust them to your foot size they are very comfortable and secure.

[FL Kiteboarder]

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SOLD




Marc
Cabrinha - XBOW '09 16m / Naish - Cult '10 13.5m / GK - Trix '08 12m & 9m / Eclipse -Thruster '08 14m
Kiteboarding Videos: Feat. Nobile, Mystic, GK, Litewave, Flyboards, Ozone, Naish, Cabrinha, & More