Need Board Advice for good lightwind board (Mako Wide?

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

I currently have a slingshot 158by3x. But I have a hard time going upwind with it in light wind with it. So I'm looking for a new/used board. I rode my buddies 150x45 slingshot and it was zooming me up wind.
So I am wondering if anyone has a good board in mind?? I'm 6'1 and 220lbs so those small 134 boards wont work for me.
I really like the looks and reviews of the ocean rodeo mako wide 150x40. Anyone ridden it??? The Liquid force proof looks appealing to, especially since its only 300 bones new. The LQF WLF looks okay too. AAAHHH So many choices!!!!!!

This is my first year kiteboarding so I'm not up to snuff on all the gear yet so any advice I really apprciate it.
Thanks:)

RIDING IN WIND OF 10-16MPH with my 16m Cabrihna contra....

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Don't have any info on the Mako Wide (I'm sure others will chime in).

I've ridden the 145cm (by 45cm wide?) WLF and it's a really fun light wind board. It'll get you going in pretty light wind, but is still fun to ride and throw tricks on (a lot better than the completely flat door type boards). You have to consider total surface area, not just length when getting a light wind board. Shorter and wider can often be more fun than a long and narrow board of same area.

The Proof would add some low-end, but it won't work as well for tricks and jumping since it's more of a beginner board. I haven't tried it though so can't say how it performs for tricks. Between the Proof and WLF I'd say the WLF is a better investment as a lightwind board since you'll enjoy it more in the long term, especially if u can get an end of season deal on it.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

I have the mako classic and wide, with the same kite the wide gets going in much less wind. It is not the ultimate light wind board though my plywood glide gets going in a fraction less but that is all its good for. You can have fun on the wide mako in lots of wind, chop and waves as well. Great for slashy, carving type riding. It is more tiring to ride than the narrower mako takes quite a bit more effort to edge with it. If its flat or just choppy i get on the narrower board as soon as i can if their is any sort of swell i stay with the wide because it glides and floats much better without power from the kite. PM me if you want to try and hook up to try them. I ride at Stevenson, Woodland and Jones the most - if you live/work in Kalama and can see its good in the late afternoon i'll come to Kalama instead of Woodland or if you want to head out to Jones we could sort something out.

paul

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

ditto what paul said on the mako wide, fun fun board.

i had a proof that i got to stretch out my kites a while back. Was fun, but seems to be more of just a 'get into kiting' board. If you are having intermittent upwind success and feel like the right board could help to correct that problem, I doubt that the proof is going to be the board that sets you right.

On the other hand, that mako has a lot of applications and is probably a board you'd want to keep for a long time. I demo'd one from windance in hood river, get on one and you'll know what the hype is all about.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

That LQF WFL looks good.. My slingshot works awsome when its big swell and blowing hard..The Mako sounds like a great lightwind and overall board. Guess I'm going to have to try one.

Is the slingshot 149x49 glide a plank???
Thanks for the replies....

Bettyboarder · Thu Aug 28, 08 2:29 pm

Never been on the Mako but there are a bunch of used slingshot fuses in the classifieds section. I think Dano is about your size and he rides the fuse alot ....might consider one of those too.

CrazyC · Since 07 Apr 2007 174 Posts P Town Stoked

Word: What Pauls said.

New for 2009 is the Ocean Rodeo Mako 140 x 40 its the best of the Mako classic and the wide. Good in light wind and all-around. Talk to windance 541-386-2131 about when they are getting them in.

ecg · Since 25 Aug 2008 10 Posts PDX New Member

First year, so I am definitely not out to give advice on the level that the above posts are, but I can speak for the Proof 151 as it is what I learned on. Great board for learning to get up, but once you learn to point your board at your diving kite, it basically loses a good bit of value as it tends to start skipping underneath you when you try to go and cut upwind powered. I would go with something with more edge to it, looking to start borrowing my friend's recoil. Just an opinion from another newb, hope this helps. I'm about 5'11, 165.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

If the Proof looses edge then I'll definitly pass on that one. I figured for 300 bones it couldn't be that good.

Cole135 · Since 26 May 2008 61 Posts Â

The Mako Wide is a sick board for light wing and all around riding. We sold out of them twice! this weekend is 15% -50% every thing this weekend we will probably sell out of them seeing as we only have 3 or 4 left.

Cole from
Windance

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

I got Mako wide. I made very calculated decision in getting this board. I didn’t want “starter” glide type board I would outgrow the moment I would be able to glide. I chase Mako wide to be my starter board, because I want to graduate to wave riding, and that is where Mako supposed to excel. I am happy about my choice and I really like Mako wide and I look forward to use it in an ocean waves.

Saying the above, Mako wide might be difficult to ride for a newb. For instance, because of the concave bottom, it is way easy to catch an edge and face pant. I switched to the twin tip board the moment I new how to get on the board and ride. I am glad I still have Maco wide to grow into to use it on ocean rather than dealing with selling some other beginners boards, but for my current level, which is learning how to stay upwind under decent kite power, I use my twin tip.

If your desired progression path is along the lines above, get Mako wide, you will not regret it.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

I checked out the windance shop web page and they got some nice boards. Anyone rode the Airrush Switch 144x44 or the Airrush Ride 142x47???

I just rode a 2005 Slingshot Glide and I'm not impressed....Went upwind fine but it wasn't good on 2-4ft swell and was bumpy in the chop. Took more effort from me to hold an edge and the chop would smack the back of my leg. The only thing I did like about it was when there would be a lull in the wind I still was on a plane instead of almost sinking or lossing all my speed like on my other board.

I never have time to drive up to the gorge to demo boards so I appreciate everyones impute here.

unhooked12 · Since 09 Jul 2008 29 Posts Cozumel,Mx Â

Spleene offers light wind series boards that I will say are very good. I have the 141 session and ride more then anyone here in Cozumel. I am able to unhook and kiteloop when most are sitting on the beach or walking upwind. The fin setup offers good tracking and the construction in strong. Light weight, strong and the best upwind I have ever found. on my visit to the gorge the 1 day it was super light, I was the only one at the sand bar able to go upwind, stay in one spot and jump. The only reason I ever purchased this thing is because we frequently get 10 to 14 mph days that were making me crazzzzzzy! This board makes marginal conditions fun. I dont like the smaller freestyle boards by spleene....to flexy, just the light wind series. I will also say that if you are riding in chop all of these flat boards will be bumpy. The tip and tail on these boards flex, so it help a little. PS. I am only 165lb, so for the bigger guys go for the Door or the Monster door.

Pepi · Fri Aug 29, 08 8:05 am **Re: board**

Cole135 · Since 26 May 2008 61 Posts Â

We demo the Mako at Windance as well. If your in town swing by and give it a try.

Cole from Windance

twostates · Since 28 Aug 2007 101 Posts pdx Stoked

while we're comparing boards -- i'm looking for a skim. anyone got a favorite they can recommend? i'm considering this crazy fly..

Chooch · Fri Aug 29, 08 10:56 am

The crazy fly is not a good light wind skim. It is way to thin and has zero float. It is however really fun for a small shore break surf style board. If you want a good skim for strapless light wind riding then I suggest you look at the Surf tech skims, nobile skim, or even some of the "regular" skims that can work well behind a kite. The larger skims with little to no rocker are going to be the most fun in the light air.