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Tested my 2 new baords 2day. Same rig used Tr-4 7.6m, and JP weed 36cm.

JP Slalom VIII 78cm 130L

JP Slalom VIII 66cm 108L

These are the slightly longer slightly detuned versions of the full-on Slaloms the 82 and 68.

My first impressions were positive.  Wind was a gusty 10 to 18kt wsw to sw on a very high tide which made wter surface choppy and messy.

The 78 planed very early and in the 18kts was close to being fully powered up and on the limit, and the water conditions made for a challenging ride, but felt more comfy than my previous JP76, which was what I was hoping for.  DEcided to try the 66 and it felt much more comfortable in the conditions, which was pleasing, handled the big fin and big sail with ease, which was pleasing as my previous smaller boards never felt right with the 7.6m.  When the wind dropped it certainly didnt plane as early as the 78 which is also pleasing, or else I would've thort Y did I buy the 78!!.  Handled the messy conditions better than the 78 which you'd also want, and gybed very well in the messy stuff.  So my first impressions are very positive, which is a relief when you buy 2 new boards on spec without ever testing them.