LF KITEFISH..... little review

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Just wanted to jot down a couple of notes.....

Got a 2013 LF kite fish. I wanted a new surf board, but really didn't want to spend the money. So here's a little about the board. Its short and fat, it has helped me with my transitions, its like having a set a training wheels.... I love making turns on it, I love that its not fragile like a true surf board. Tough as nails..... my son has drug it across the rocks a couple of times, and you cant even tell. Its a laminate pressed type board. I'm sure there's a nerdy more accurate descriptions, but I don't have it. All I know is its fun to ride. Its fun powered up, its fun on a 12m with smooth water. I really just like to ride the board. I totally encourage you guys to pick one up. They are cheaper than almost all new boards I have seen out there.

Some boards you buy and you know your going to end up selling it at the end of the year or so, but then again some boards you know your going to keep for ever. Its sorta like a great set of fat skis....

The giggle factor on this thing is high.......If your looking for a board that's super hardcore surf, slash, drive omg I'm such a awesome wave rider...ohhhh Im bad ass and in every vid surf board, ......Get another board. If you want to cruise around in and giggle .......its a great board for light wind and learning, but it can be pushed hard too.

Pepi's got em for crazy insane cheap

http://www.2ndwind-sports.com/product.php?productid=1595&cat=219&page=2;;;;

I LOVE THIS BOARD AND EVERY ONE SHOULD HAVE ONE!

eabmoto · Since 10 May 2012 123 Posts seattle Stoked

I got one a year ago to learn on. It was the first board I got up on and still the only board I own, except for my surf board which I don't want to beat up. As a new kiter I love it, can't ding it and it works great in all wind conditions. For any new kiters that want to ride strapless and not worry about beating up an expensive surfboard, these are great boards. I got mine from 2nd wind also.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Ya, Man. I love it. I have a couple of surf boards too, but this is just a ton of fun. I'm sure pepi's got a ton of em! Very Happy

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

I agree, great board - I love taking it out strapless in super light wind. I've had one for two seasons:
Pro's:
- Indestructible
- Stable
- Great lightwind ability
- Good for shallow water
- Ez to learn strapless
- Can be riden backwards very ez
Con's:
- Hard to ride toeside / very wide
- Short
- Skatey as hell when you don't want it sometimes!

Definitely not for going down the line (since it has stubby fins) but it excels on flat water and in light wind!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

I agree, great board for light winds and learning to jibe on a directional.
It is so forgiving, you can almost stop moving and it will still float you.
I like to ride it with just the front strap to use as a handle and for waterstarting.
Once I am up, my front foot goes further out on the rail, barely in the strap.
It comes from the same mold as the LF wake surfer, so it rides well behind the boat too.

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

eabmoto · Since 10 May 2012 123 Posts seattle Stoked

Check out Pepi's quad conversion he did on his. He says I'd rides better, not so squirrly.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Pics pepi...... please......

windtzu1 · Since 02 Aug 2012 25 Posts

Good review. The Fish from your description sounds similar to the North Skimfish (2012). I actually learned how to kite on this board with straps, and then later learned how to ride strapless on the same board. Having a twin tip style configuration on both ends of the board, it rides nearly the same in either direction. When I don't feel like switching feet during my turns, I just do a strapless sliding turn and off I go. Like your description, it's a board that just puts a smile on your face. And sometimes you'll have your ass handed to you while riding it flat (he-he) but this contributes to the giggle factor. It's perfect on those low tide days when you'd rather not whack your surfboard fins on the bottom.

Def. consider putting some small fins up front if possible. It will take away some of the squirrelly nature when riding backwards.

Pepi · Sun Aug 04, 13 6:46 pm

Sorry for the delay.
Here are the photos of my Fish Quad conversion.

The conversion helped the upwind capabilities of this board a ton, and allows me to slash turns way more aggressively than as a tri-fin.

This conversion was my own idea, so opinions may vary, but it works for me very nicely and renewed my interest in this board and increased my confidence and range of use with the board in stronger winds.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Wow, that quad setup looks sweet!

Following up on Hilton's protip I picked up a set of Slingshot canted fins for $5! Haven't been out since then to see how it handles.

When doing a quad conversion do you just drill holes through the board? Do you need to seal the holes with epoxy or anything?

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

It was an easy conversion.
I just drilled new holes in line with the center fin but 5.5" out from the center line of the board (no toe in on the rear fins).
The board appears to have a dense closed cell foam core with no extra reinforcements or sealing on the factory fin holes, so I didn't do anything extra on the new holes either.
The skin of the board will crush a bit when you tighten the screws, but it is no different than on the factory holes. All four fins feel equally solid, and I'm hoping it will hold up to the extra load of the bigger fins.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

nice mod! Seems like you'd want to use some sort of filler - even silicone - just to keep water out, but pretty impressive. Does 2nd Wind have any of these to demo?

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Hopefully the core is as waterproof as their new surfboards.

Link

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

where are LF boards made and who designs them?

toeinthewater · Since 26 Aug 2013 42 Posts

Little use . $250 . Hood River Trudi 541-354-1238