patmoore Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) My 178 cm SG GS board is 14 years old and I think I'm due for an upgrade. Surprisingly the bride is in favor of it with the understanding that this will likely be the last new board I'll ever get. I'm looking for recommendations. For those that don't know me, I'm a NASTAR junkie and have run the program at Okemo since 2006. I race on skis and board and have won the NASTAR Nationals on skis once and on the board twelve times. I've been ranked #1 Nationally in my age group every year for the past dozen or so years. I'm 71 years old, 5'8" and 165 lb. The GS boards that keep coming to mind are Kessler, SG, and the Donek Rev. I'm thinking of going a little shorter (172 cm?). I don't use a riser plate but would give some thought to doing so if there would be a discernible difference in performance. I ride in Head Stratos Pros (28.5 mondo) that have been softened to provide more forward flex. Bindings are F2 Race. I have severe arthritis in my right knee but I'm getting a replacement in May. Looking forward to your recommendations! Edited March 14, 2018 by patmoore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Have you ridden a Kessler? I've got a 185 with an early Apex plate... it's older, the edges are thinning... it's got a little damage in the tail... it's the standard width which makes me run higher angles than I like... I don't ride it a lot. Best race board I've ever ridden and I've ridden old exotic race boards, REVs, F2s, and Coilers. Not best by a little...best by a lot. If I was racing for cash tomorrow you better believe that board would be under my feet. Get a custom Kessler... don't even hesitate... ride it into your very own sunset. BTW, you kick ass... keep it up! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HillB Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Get a new SG, Pat! I believe there's a Lynn Kessler here in a 171 if you'd want to try that sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HillB Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 I could possibly part with a 174 Kessler, since I have a few. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted March 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks for the replies. I'll be test driving a 171 Kessler in a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveo Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Oxess. Give Marcel/Heinz a call and they'll make you the best board in the world! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted April 11, 2018 Report Share Posted April 11, 2018 With the bad knees maybe give a plate a shot, as long as the dead weight on the lift doesn’t hurt they pretty much cancel out most of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted April 11, 2018 Report Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) Ohh yeah, I have a Kessler you can have dirt cheap too. If you want to do some slalom as well Edited April 11, 2018 by bobdea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted April 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 Thanks folks. I was able to acquire a 171 Kessler in very nice condition. I raced on it at the Vertical Challenge Finals and won my age group on both the board and skis. I'm getting a new knee on 5/16 and I'm really looking forward to next season. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted April 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 I rode my Madd on Friday and think that will be a wrap for this season. Heading for the UK Tuesday to meet my new Granddaughter. It was a very good season. Season recap (all within my age group except the Overall Club Championship}. I think I'm outliving my competition.... CT Senior Games 1st GS - Skis 1st Downhill - Skis 1st GS - Snowboard 1st Downhill - Snowboard MA Senior Olympics 1st GS - Skis 1st Super G - Snowboard 1st GS - Snowboard 3rd Super G - Skis NASTAR Eastern Championships 2nd GS - Skis 1st GS - Snowboard NASTAR Nationals 1st Slalom - Snowboard 2nd GS - Skis (Platinum Division) 4th - Family Race 1st GS - Snowboard Vertical Challenge Finals 1st GS - Snowboard 1st GS - Skis Mt. Laurel Club Race Oldest Club Champion in Club History And I'm most proud of my grandsons: NASTAR Nationals 4th - Family Race Ryan - 3rd GS - Skis Archie - 1st GS - Skis and 2nd overall Race of Champions Lauchie - 1st GS - Skis and 1st GS - Snowboard The wife okayed my idea to display the overall collection. Getting a new knee 5/16. Looking forward to next year! Now on to golf...... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Impressive Pat! You should get both knees done at the same time - two for the price of one, right! Then we can call ya Bionic Pat! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algunderfoot Posted May 2, 2018 Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Pat, Have you read all the reviews on the thirst 8R-W? Hands down carver / racer, unrivaled edge hold and faster than anything out there...and hand made right here inda USofA. I'll even let you demo mine next fall. Mark Miller has just procured some high carbon base material to take the 8R from freaking fast to "OMFG", seriously need to check out what Mark is doing...next generation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted May 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2018 On 5/1/2018 at 10:35 PM, Algunderfoot said: Pat, Have you read all the reviews on the thirst 8R-W? Hands down carver / racer, unrivaled edge hold and faster than anything out there...and hand made right here inda USofA. I'll even let you demo mine next fall. Mark Miller has just procured some high carbon base material to take the 8R from freaking fast to "OMFG", seriously need to check out what Mark is doing...next generation! Sounds like a blast but the child bride (she's only 65) will put her foot down on my acquiring an eleventh board for my quiver. I did pick up a very nice Kessler and can't wait for next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted May 5, 2018 Report Share Posted May 5, 2018 Pat that rack of metal tells me you have earned the right to indulge yourself with a Thirst. YOLO my man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted August 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2018 Post TKR update. Got the new knee on 5/16 and resumed golf four weeks later. Just had a 3 month visit with the Ortho and he cleared me for racing this winter. Can't wait to get on the Kessler! Two weeks after the surgery I found a new use for the walker.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted October 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 (edited) Twisted the OTHER KNEE two weeks ago. Think I have some torn cartilage. Seeing the Ortho this morning. Maybe I should request volume discounts. If I have to go in for another tuneup, it'll be a total of seven knee operations. Good thing I'm getting younger..... Update: the Doc says I just scraped the cartilage. It should be fine by racing season. Edited October 2, 2018 by patmoore 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted October 13, 2018 Report Share Posted October 13, 2018 Mad respects, patmoore. YOLO! Speedy recovery on your other knee as well as the TKR. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overspeed Posted November 5, 2018 Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 I've had excellent experiences with both Rabanser snowboards and Kessler. I ride a few Rabaners: a race-Line 180 with fire-plate and Carve CC bindings (strikingly similar to Ibex +burton race plates) and an older dragon-line 175..both great boards and they excel on hard snow. I also ride a Kessler Alpine 180 with gecko plates and Carve CCs at that has been a fantastic setup. Its light and works great everywhere especially when the snow gets a bit softer/crudded up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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