Speedsailor, I'm the full-time dealer down here near Augusta. Naish is one of the lines I'm a dealer for. (That doesn't mean I have the PLAYMATE in stock.) I assume you're asking "know anything" as in what can someone tell you other than what's on the Naish website. I can't help you there. I've never ridden one or know anybody personally who has (at least, an '05 version). I can tell you this: Naish is a state-of-the art line. The PLAYMATE is priced as such, and I looked up some other pure freestyle boards, such as the Fanatic SKATE, the F2 CHILLI, the Mistral JOKER and they are all in that upper price range. I was surprised at that. (I'm not going to quote prices here but there is abot a $200 diffeerence between the "upper" and the "standard" after my discount.) Don't be surprised if any of these are not available in the U.S. despite their being on the website amnd in the paper catalog. The demand for pure freestyle boards is quite low.
I was surprised to see that the '05 Starboard FREESEX 110, which most of the windsurfing world also considers a state-of-the-art line, is priced in the "standard" range. AND the FREESEX, Starboard's dedicated freestyle model, will be among the boards at the demo this weekend at our ACWA picnic at Lake Murray (forecast of 15 to 25 mph! as of today.) Anyway, I can go into all the details on each board as presented on paper if you call me, but I can't type it all out here. All of these models and brands are excellent, but some may be preferable over others given your body size, abilty, frequency of sailing, etc. Be glad to go over it with you anytime. .
Chuck at Whitecap Windsurfing -- c:706-833-WIND (9463)
I know someone who is selling an 05 Playmate 115. Even though it is 'dedicated' freestyle board, it does pretty good for 'back and forth' sailing -- fairly fast with lots of good footstrap options. I have seen the board, and it does look sweet, but the rocker is very flat and the nose and tail are fairly wide. I don't think that it would be all that great in the ocean, but should be fine in the lake. This is probably true for most any dedicated freestyle board though. OH. one more thing. My friend says that it feels smaller than 115 liters -- more like 105-110. That is why he is selling it. He wants a board that will be more comfrotable with a 7.0-7.5 sail. Considering how cheap my friend is selling the Playmate, I may get it myself and sell my Carve 111!
Speedsailor, I'm the full-time dealer down here near Augusta. Naish is one of the lines I'm a dealer for. (That doesn't mean I have the PLAYMATE in stock.) I assume you're asking "know anything" as in what can someone tell you other than what's on the Naish website. I can't help you there. I've never ridden one or know anybody personally who has (at least, an '05 version). I can tell you this: Naish is a state-of-the art line. The PLAYMATE is priced as such, and I looked up some other pure freestyle boards, such as the Fanatic SKATE, the F2 CHILLI, the Mistral JOKER and they are all in that upper price range. I was surprised at that. (I'm not going to quote prices here but there is abot a $200 diffeerence between the "upper" and the "standard" after my discount.) Don't be surprised if any of these are not available in the U.S. despite their being on the website amnd in the paper catalog. The demand for pure freestyle boards is quite low.
I was surprised to see that the '05 Starboard FREESEX 110, which most of the windsurfing world also considers a state-of-the-art line, is priced in the "standard" range. AND the FREESEX, Starboard's dedicated freestyle model, will be among the boards at the demo this weekend at our ACWA picnic at Lake Murray (forecast of 15 to 25 mph! as of today.) Anyway, I can go into all the details on each board as presented on paper if you call me, but I can't type it all out here. All of these models and brands are excellent, but some may be preferable over others given your body size, abilty, frequency of sailing, etc. Be glad to go over it with you anytime. .
Chuck at Whitecap Windsurfing -- c:706-833-WIND (9463)
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
c:706-833-WIND (9463)
I know someone who is selling an 05 Playmate 115. Even though it is 'dedicated' freestyle board, it does pretty good for 'back and forth' sailing -- fairly fast with lots of good footstrap options. I have seen the board, and it does look sweet, but the rocker is very flat and the nose and tail are fairly wide. I don't think that it would be all that great in the ocean, but should be fine in the lake. This is probably true for most any dedicated freestyle board though. OH. one more thing. My friend says that it feels smaller than 115 liters -- more like 105-110. That is why he is selling it. He wants a board that will be more comfrotable with a 7.0-7.5 sail. Considering how cheap my friend is selling the Playmate, I may get it myself and sell my Carve 111!
thanks for all the input guys.