Grip 4 >< Grip 3 D/LAB
GRIP 4 >< GRIP 3 D/LAB - SAME WEIGHT AND DURABILITY EVEN THE MOST HIGH-END CUSTOM-MADE BOARDS CAN'T BEAT
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MTO (= Made To Order) lead-times
Each D/LAB board is individually build according to your order only.
Please note the following lead-times:
+ Place order until 18. July 2024 >> latest arrival: Nov 24
+ Place order until 24. October 2024 >> latest arrival: Mar 25
+ Place order until 05. December 2024 >> latest arrival: May 25
Going beyond your imagination. Do you want to have the lowest possible weight combined with maximum stiffness and durability even the most high-end custom board maker can't beat?
Everyone strives to be different and thus loves individualisation. But do you want to buy a surprise egg custom boards often turn out to be? Or trust in a proven shape by a brand which has continuously been at the forefront of the board development with over 40 years of experience.
Look no further cause here comes the GRIP D/LAB board range.
At DUOTONE only real game-changer products qualify to carry the D/LAB logo. So what’s so special about these boards to allow them to become the first D/LAB products under DUOTONE Windsurfing?
During the last 3 years our product manager boards Dani Aeberli and our QC specialist Vasin Siritho have worked on a new technology which is exclusive for DUOTONE. We call this FULL CUSTOM CNC.
We use a construction which is one hundred percent identical to the most high-end custom made boards. Instead of using a mould to bring the EPS foam core into its final shape each EPS block gets CNC milled. This ensures maximum precision and saves weight.
Same as with high-end custom board makers the major advantage lays in the processing. We call this SINGLE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY and it is the key to our industry-leading weight-strength ratio.
Instead of combining working steps to save time and money every single step follows its individual process. So for example instead of joining the PVC sandwich with the EPS core in a single shot we vacuum-bag the top and bottom PVC shields with the EPS core separately.
Also instead of using standard 3mm PVC elements for the entire board we use thicker and thinner PVC plates as well according to the stress areas which makes the board lighter yet stronger.
For all D/LAB boards we use our most sophisticated layup which consists of more than 60 individual parts and components (nearly 20% more parts than used for our SLS Premium Sandwich Construction).
On top we are using the most high-end composite materials available to-date.
- All carbon fibres used are a mix of high strength and high modulus carbon qualities depending on the individual requirements of each board section. Our high modulus carbon used can also be found on high-end products like aircraft’s, Formula One cars or our Platinum SLS masts, booms and extensions.
- Innegra is a high modulus Propylene with unbeatable tensile and ding resistance. It offers a similar tensile strength to Kevlar, but is significantly stiffer. In addition, Innegra is the best composite fibre to prevent dents.
- We use our exclusive high performance S_GLASS+ with an extra high silica content which offers much higher tensile strength as well as about 10-20% greater stiffness.
- And finally we are using our exclusive DUOTONE SENTEX resin impregnated with silicon nano-spheres which helps us to reduce the weight even further without sacrificing durability.
Instead of using a similar layup on all boards we use a DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC FLEX CONSTRUCTION for all our D/LAB boards since demands on the different disciplines (wave, freestyle, freeride, racing) and conditions vary quite a lot.
- Racing boards are made to offer maximum performance (instant acceleration and V-max). Therefore these boards need be as stiff as possible. To achieve this no compromise stiffness we use a super high carbon content on all FALCON D/LAB layups.
- On wave boards though a certain „give“ is essential since these boards are very short and might become too stiff thus uncontrollable using a full carbon layup. Therefore the GRIP D/LAB boards come with a higher Innegra and S_GLASS+ content. These high-tech composites have a much higher tensile strength avoiding breakages after high landings. To still achieve an outstanding "spring-back" characteristics which makes the board more reactive and has a tremendous effect on the acceleration we use unidirectional Carbon reinforcements in longitudinal direction.
Last but not least even every single board size has an individual layup. That’s the final stage of individualisation in construction.
The result speaks for itself since the D/LAB boards are approx. 500 grams lighter than our SLS boards and up to a full kilo lighter than other serial production boards. And it’s the first time that a production board can compete even with the lightest custom boards out there.
Yet all of this is achieved without any sacrifice in durability since we always follow our core motto LIGHT DONE RIGHT.
Please note that at least in the first year quantities will be strictly limited - just like a real custom board. That’s why only the most popular GRIP 4 and GRIP 3 sizes will be available in the D/LAB technology.
SHAPE DETAILS
Our GRIP D/LAB boards are constantly evolving designs and constructions to ensure we are continuously at the forefront of development yet with over 40 years of experience. We call them World Cup Wave boards as they are engineered to satisfy the best of the best on all kind of spots around the globe, from jumping-oriented side-on conditions like Pozo to down-the-line groundswell conditions like Hookipa.
Now the most important question you need to ask yourself is which fin configuration best suits your personal riding style:
- The GRIP 4 with its Quad fin configuration gives you maximum drive and grip for committed rail to rail turns, even in XXL waves
- The GRIP 3 has a slightly better acceleration due an efficient rocker with a lower-drag entry, which is especially helpful in jumping conditions. The Thruster fin configuration allows for earlier tail release for tighter/slashier turns, even in non ideal waves
YOUR NEW GRIP D/LAB DREAM MACHINES ARE READY AND WAITING FOR YOU TO GO BEYOND IMAGINATION!.
Main color specs when repairing the board
Grip 4 D/LAB: Top: Pantone 2090 C | Bottom: Pantone 178 C
Grip 3 D/LAB: Top: Pantone 3125 C | Bottom: Pantone 178 C
D/LAB vs. SLS
All SLS boards are made with our PREMIUM SANDWICH TECHNOLOGY wich is our most advanced semi custom technology.
All D/LAB boards are made with our FULL CUSTOM D/LAB TECHNOLOGY which is the identical technology used on high-end custom made boards.
This leads to the following differences:
1) WEIGHT
The D/LAB boards are approx. 500g lighter than the SLS models. The major weight saving comes through the full custom technology. But it's also down to the smallest details like reduced foot strap plugs, reduced to max foot pads and super light water transfer stickers for the artwork.
2) STIFFNESS
For the D/LAB boards we use a higher carbon content which makes for a more direct riding sensation.
3) DENT RESISTANCE
As with most wave boards on the market, we use S-glass on the PVC sandwich for the SLS boards, while the D/LAB boards are equipped with a carbon-Innegra layer on the outside. Innegra is the best composite fibre to prevent dents. Dents caused by the mast touching the board (during catapults or when getting washed) are mainly an aesthetic issue. But if you want a board that stays dent-free, you should opt for the D/LAB version.
4) PRICE
Innegra is considerably more expensive than S-glass. And apart from the higher carbon content, the FULL CUSTOM D/LAB TECHNOLOGY is much more time and labor-intensive. Therefore the SLS version is 10% cheaper than the D/LAB version.
3D View
YOUR PERFECT SAIL MATCH
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Any comments or questions? Here you’ll find first hand R&D / rider Information.
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Please note: To help as many people as possible follow the thread, the forum language is English only.