Will a 2006 iSonic 135 not be a mistake for me?

[AndreM]

I just saw an interesting board for a good price. A 2006 DRAM 135 iSonic. Right now I sail a F2 Stoke 127 and I just sold a Rio M 2010 which I bought for my kids (unfortunately they don't like windsurfing). I liked the Rio for it's size (like iSonic also 80 cm) and nice jibing etc. but for me it's just too heavy.

I am considering the iSonic 135 now. Though I have been sailing for some years and am able to sail in foodstraps etc. I don't consider myself an advanced windsurfer.

All I want is nice cruising on a lake nearby. I want early/easy planing and nice jibing. I am not sure this is the right board for me though. (but honestly I still am in love with the looks of the board LOL)

I weigh 75kg. and my biggest sail is a North S-Type 8.4.

Any suggestions? Should I try it or is it better to look elsewhere?

Btw. I plan to go and get this board tomorow so...

Best regards,

André

[Roger]

Hi Andre,
You wrote:
"All I want is nice cruising on a lake nearby. I want early/easy planing and nice jibing. I am not sure this is the right board for me though. (but honestly I still am in love with the looks of the board LOL)"

While the Isonic 135 will indeed "cruise nicely" with your 8.4 m2, it's really a slalom race board.
"Cruising" is not it's best feature..... speed is it's best feature!
It will plane pretty early, but it may not be so easy to get it on plane in marginal conditions on
fresh water.
Nice jibing....... yes, if you already have the technique, or when you learn the technique.
Isonics are not "easy jibers".
I think a far better choice would be a Futura 133.
Nearly as fast as the Isonic 135, much easier to sail fast, very easy to jibe, but it may not look
so cool. Far better IMHO for "cruising" with an 8.4 m2 North S-Type.
Hope this helps,
Roger

[AndreM]

Well thank you. maybe you're right! It's such a cool board but it might not look very cool with me on it LOL. Anyway... I just cancelled the purchase thanks to this and other observations. I will take a look into other light wind - easy planing, easy cruisin' options.

Best regards,

André

[Ken]

AndreM,

Good call, Roger is right. This iSonics are exciting in the right hands, but not fun in the wrong hands. In time, you will get to the point where you may want to try an iSonic, but test drive one before buying if possible.

The biggest advantage for intermediate sailors on an iS is the quick planing compared to other similar sized freeride boards (wider tail), but once moving, it can get wild pretty fast if there is much wind.