Choosing New Twin Tip kiteboard

homerun · Since 12 Jul 2008 22 Posts

I purchased a used Slingshot Doyle twin tip last month for use with my old Naish X4's and in order to demo new kites. Its dimensions are 136x40x20x4 (length, max width, tail width, rocker). I measured the rocker from the middle of the board to either tip. It was probably made in about 2002 and has 6 fins. I have been advised by many that this board should be replaced for for one with better pop, quicker planing, and better upwind performance. Apparently the large rocker was needed to better edge the older kites.

I now have three new kites and want to purchase at least one twin tip. One group of kiters recommended the following (I am 5'-9", 170 lbs):

1. 132 x 40 cm
2. Narrower tips to prevent spray back into the rider's face
3. Fexible tips
4. Fairly stiff middle
5. No rocker in the middle with light rocker approaching the tips
6. Mildly concave
7. Light weight

I frequented the board shops but did not find one that met all seven specifications. Even if I had found a board, the boardshops don't necessarily have demo boards that were closest to the specs. One Jimmy Lewis was close, but it was very stiff. An Airush was also close but seemed too flexible throughout its length.

I have not yet demod any of the kiteboards, ever for that matter except for a Gorge Animal and Hypertech in 2000 or 2001, selecting the Hypertech. As with kites, I just purchased them since 1999, only reqretting it many years later when I got the chance to demo kites before purchasing this month. By the way, the Hypertech was probably a perfect choice for the conditions back home.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. I really don't know if the specs listed above are right for me or not.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I would say that with exception of narrow tips, your specs describe just about every kiteboard on the market today...

Just look at some pictures of good riders and you'll get an idea of what a good board is. Flexy tips and light weight are probably the most important features.

I'm 155lbs and have a 133cm board. Anything between 130cm and 137cm should be good for you.

Bettyboarder · Tue Jul 29, 08 9:02 am

Homerun - looks like your new to the forum, Welcome. We try not to do gear vs gear on this forum because it gets to crazy. Your best bet would be to demo some boards. I know several of the local shops (2nd Wind, GP, ect.) demo boards. If you have a idea of what your looking for you could always ask the local reps to demo their stuff too. Alot of brands have people around that you can get in contact with.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 29, 08 9:31 am

hey waiiiit a minute, are you the guy I met at Stevenson and provided a list of boards that would be worth looking at?

Not trying to start a brand v brand thread but I'll throw these boards out as they are generally reviewed by many as great all around boards.

Jimmy lewis model III..if that was too stiff they have a newer model with more flex and wider tips.

Crazy fly raptor (0 Cool

or crazy fly pro. my personal choice. Very light.

Nobile 555 great reviews by the Euro conversion makes them fairly expensive- I never rode it.

Underground FLX.. this board always gets very good reviews.

SS misfit. Some people really like this board, other are kind of meah.

Liquid force recoil. This board got a lot of buzz this year and many people really love it. Supposed to be super poppy and very edgy. And it can be had for around $400 which helps allot.

It takes time to find a board you dig. 2 years ago I rode 13 different boards before I bought my JL model III. At the time it was the perfect board for me at the time but now I am totally diggin the CF raptor.

Whatever you do, it is imperative that you get rid of that POS doyle ASAP!! Very Happy

homerun · Since 12 Jul 2008 22 Posts

That wasn't me at Stevenson, pdxmonkeyboy. However, I'm going to write down each board you listed just now and see what they look like in the board shops and web sites and demo them if I can. I got the specs from kiters at Rufus this week.

Does Slingshot demo kiteboards at Stevenson as they do kites? If so, I'll be down there today if the wind picks up. I have a 14m, so I won't need much wind.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 29, 08 10:06 am

I am sure Shay or anyone down there would be happy to let you borrow a board. Or if Sauvie ever blows again, pm mixwell (or call gorge performance) and he'll hook you up. In general, if someone is not a complete kook and conditions are too serious, I'll let people take my board out to give it a try. I know allot of people let me try there stuff out when I was looking.

Cole135 · Since 26 May 2008 61 Posts

Most boards these days are pretty similar and they will all be a lot better than your old Doyle the most important thing is that you find something fits you needs and your riding style.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

from your list or board characteristics, it sounds like you should demo a slingshot lunacy. i use to own about 3 different TT kite boards, a 127, 130 and 136 for different days/conditions. i replaced all of them with a lunacy 129, i am 5'10" and weigh about ~ 160 lbs. based on your weight, the 132 lunacy would probably be a good fit.

i like the wider tips on the lunacy; i htink it adds quite a bit of float to your setup while kiting which makes it a little easier to get up and planing while you are underpowered. also wider tips == more pop.

all the boards PDXMB listed are good too, i'm just slingshot bias.

if the lunacy is too agressive for you, try the misfit or SX, they might not be as short by wide, but they are a little longer and not so wide which makes them more forgiving, when doing transitions, slashing through the swell/water, etc.

Mike Hawk · Tue Jul 29, 08 10:48 am **did some one say brand war?**

LUNACY 132
by SLINGSHOT!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I think that the most important thing for board choice is rideing style. You need to be honest with yourself with how you ride and what style you are trying to learn. Do you like to mostly ride swell, Jump high useing the kite, wake style load and pop without sending the kite or just cruize back and forth?

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

as many have said.. there are many good boards.. just need to find what is right for you.

I say.. use your list as a guideline. but don't choose a board based on the list.. rather choose based on the smile on your face when you demo.

I had a guy ask me last year (he had a notebook with all this tech info in it about every board) what the width was on the Recoil 133...

I smartly told him.. that is was one of three options.. and all relative to him.. and that he had to take it out and ride it to find out that it was either - too wide, too narrow, or just right.

There are so many variables in how a board performs and feels under your feet that no amount of tech specs, or online chatter will ever give you a true perspective.. even people sharing their experiences only goes so far.. as everyone has different style and prefers different feel.

If you are interested in trying any of the popular Liquid Force boards - http://www.liquidforcekites.com/boards_main.htm I drive a white van that says Liquid Force Kiteboarding on it, which has most of those boards inside and am always available to arrange a demo for you personally, or through 2nd Wind Sports Hood River, or Gorge Performance in PDX.. or often, I can even get one of my regional riders to come meet you with a board wherever you are riding.

Come to Sauvie's this wed for Gorge Performace Kite Nite and we will have a ton of boards there to try... or PM me and we'll set a plan to meet you somewhere with a demo.

I'm thinking, based on your list.. the 131 Recoil Comp might be the ticket for you... a bit more expensive than some.. due to the advanced construction, light weight and flex.. but narrower tips than a recoil, with a bit more flex.

I have one in the van ready for you to demo...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 29, 08 3:46 pm

Well there you go... Hey HR, did you ride the JL? It is pretty stiff but if your not into wakestyle tricks the require allot of pop (which begs the question, how could you be into wakestyle if your currently riding an 02 doyle) it is a really smooth board that is very loose while still edging like a mofo. I don't know how it manages that but it does. (I think its the shape of the concave).

But if you can buy local..do that!

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

buy local and get the support!

Cole135 · Since 26 May 2008 61 Posts

Homerun,

what did you think of the SX 136 that you demoed today. That is the Board I would put you out of all. That or the misfit. The lunacy is probably not the right fit for you because of its width and other unforgiving traits that make it the best for freestyle.

by the way this is cole from Windance

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Maybe you should consider some NSI plates and straps
so your board doesn't look so much like a stocker.

Damn, I only left that other post up for a few seconds.
you guys are getting good.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer