The Hypersonic 111 is the middle board in a three-model line up, whose predecessor caused a huge commotion when it was introduced last season. This year, the three sizes all have the same length and width dimensions, differing by volume and its distribution. The new boards have been redesigned with more comfortable foot positions in mind, along with thinner mils and tails for gybing.
On the water the 111 possesses a far more rounded performance than its predecessor, giving the Hypersonic a much more normal riding character. It has to be said that during the first few runs out on the new boards, we found the practicality of getting planing and gybing a real hassle, yet once blasting the stance, albeit unconventional, is far more comfortable this year. Over time we began to learn more and more about these boards and after the two weeks, we had changed our view massively. The one thing that you cannot deny the Hypersonic is practicality and speed. The concept has produced hulls that are massively quick, not just flat out, or downwind, but everywhere. Upwind, across the wind, full power or just struggling to keep planing, they are undoubtedly fast and versatile. If you have enough power to get planing, they do not stop.
As such, we must stress that they are massively unconventional. We affectionately called the Hypersonics ""Marmite"" on location out in Dahab, as, like the spread, you either love them or hate them! They are technical to get planing - such little rocker flat, so much surface area and such little fins, but once there, you never stop, such is their efficiency. The most unusual aspect is gybing. We treated our initial gybes with kid gloves at first. Easy turn in gave steady progression around the carve, but the feeling that you have is to take a wide arc and wait.
As conditions became more extreme we were forced to experiment and soon learned that if you sheet right in and stamp on the rail hard, they turn tight and hard. The 111 is the most comfortable of the two we have here; the stance is more stable, the ride less technical, the gybes smoother and the volume a real help in tacking. Supplied with the two thin and more efficient fins, they work really well; the central channel eliminates spinout at speed and their efficiency and upwind drive are just incredible. If you have never seen or tried a Hypersonic before, I suggest you do; it may not be to your liking but it's certainly worth the experience!
Verdict - An unconventional shape, but once you have overcome some teething problems with stance and style, it Is massively capable. Perhaps not the fastest in every respect, it Is the Hypersonic's ability to be almost the fastest on every point of sail and on every sail size that has It leading the race.
Statistics & Scores
Tech Spec. Length: 218cm Width: 77cm Volume: 111L Weight: 7.7 kg
Fin: Drake Slalom 340 and Slalom 420cm Sail Range: 6.0m-9.0m
Price: D-RAM: £849.00 WOOD: £999.00
Importer: Tushingham Tel: 01803712140
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