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Rider: 75kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding
Weather: 12-35 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Canadian.

My Comments:

Over the past ~2 months I've had the opportunity to use my mako from "bored out my mind working the crap out my kite" conditions to "holllyyyy %$%$# conditions" (this past weekend) and thought I may share my experience with the rest of you fine wind addicts.


Build: Solid, no complaints. The shape of the board is unique to say the least. Amazing curves, Gisele watch out!


Light winds: I never felt this board was a dedicated light wind board, I don't really see this board having an edge in light winds over other boards of a similar size. Might be the way I'm riding it but riding it flat vs on the rails hasn't given me a noticeable chance compared to other boards. Its decent in light wind but nothing more.


Moderate to high winds: WOW! this board gives me confidence, I never feel out of control and I find the chop to be much easier to cope with. Previously after riding for a few hours my knees would hurt from the impact, thus far no complaints (had 2 back to back days of 3hrs each day in 25-32 knots) with no problems. The rails of this board dig in extremely well and it is terrific in going upwind. Dig in that edge and GOOO! Similarly its extremely effective in edging off extra power. I previously found it scattered along the water at times but I haven't had this experience recently and I believe that's due to a technique change. (I ride 1 fin on each end set up)

In high and gusty winds I find this board simply gives me confidence to go all out, I ride this board aggressively in high winds and I feel takes a bit of the edge off the intensity of high wind kiting but replaces it with stability and confidence. Its reassuring and consistent.

This board does take experience to maximize it, subtle changes in your stance will carve out major dividends on this board. Every day I use this board I enjoy it more and more. I'd recommend it to anyone that rides a bit of everything and wants a 1 quiver board.

Dan

83, inter / adv , soul wave
Tropical wind, big kites
Well made. Good straps. Settled into it immediately with no adjustments during the session.

Yep share your views Dan . Just got the mako 150 to fill the tt space.

Use the nugget as my light wind board and sb at the windier end.
Don't really enjoy tts much as they make me feel fenced in and can be rough in our choppy conditions.

Wanted aboard which was in both worlds as a difference.
For me, it is not my light wind board, its for the medium to high end.

In the small amount of time spent on it - it's very smooth and forgiving ,goes up wind well, has a sb feel about it in waves, bogs down less when you go towards the kite. Great on old knees.
Still to figure out the carving side of things as it tended to go too wide on turns - just need to adjust my style . It's a bit weird when you first get on it as it feels like its sliding around on it path but still tracks. . Prob my input which needs adjustment
Toe side was very comfortable , boosting ok but for the purists probably not the best , ok for me though.

Looking forward to spending more time on the mako , just need some wind.

Yeh Eddie whack a couple of small TT fins on the side and put the footstraps one back from the centred TT position and you can really tighten up those turns.

Had two brilliant sessions last two days on my little VX 6m. Man its like a little toy kite I always giggle when I'm pumping it up!

Yeh the round curves gives you speed during the turns so you lose less power on them. This accounts a little for the large concave and rocker which reduces its potential low end. But I agree its not a light wind board.

i have been riding the mako king for 3 months and I love it. I agree with everything in on this post. So far one fin front and back is the best for me. I have the summer to play with other settings.
best board

Yeh I use the mako as my principle wave board (as well as going strapless now and then on a SB), and use a laluz in the flat and a light wind TT, hence why I have set up as I do.

You definetly get a tighter arc with those mutant fins in, even if they are small TT fins.

And having owned the 140, 150 and the king I have tried every single setup I could think of.

Ultimately it does ride best as a straight TT though for all round riding.

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eppo said..

Yeh Eddie whack a couple of small TT fins on the side and put the footstraps one back from the centred TT position and you can really tighten up those turns.

Had two brilliant sessions last two days on my little VX 6m. Man its like a little toy kite I always giggle when I'm pumping it up!

Yeh the round curves gives you speed during the turns so you lose less power on them. This accounts a little for the large concave and rocker which reduces its potential low end. But I agree its not a light wind board.

Had a good session today. Nicely powered up on the zephyr. Started to tweak the transitions on waves. Great fun.

Eppo , do you keep the centre fin in as well as the tt fins ?

... yeah dude, make it tri fin, should be really snappy then!!!!

Yeh Eddie. Just as normal with a couple of 50mm TT fins. But if I had some smaller surf fins I'd use them though. Even some smaller 35mm would be enough.

Thing is in summer I will probably revert it back to a straight TT....no swell no need for all the fins.

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Puetz said..

... yeah dude, make it tri fin, should be really snappy then!!!!

Had a ride on it big fella??

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eppo said..


Had two brilliant sessions last two days on my little VX 6m.

Oh I dream of a 6 m.

just bought a 150, I'm hanging to christen it

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eppo said..

Puetz said..



... yeah dude, make it tri fin, should be really snappy then!!!!

Had a ride on it big fella??

... yes I did and I liked it too,,, one of the smoothest boards ever, sorta felt like your sliding every where and yet you make upwind just fine.

Didn't feel as long as the numbers say, ie 150cm is normally a longish TT but it didn't feel 150 at all and rode over chop like it wasn't there.

The day I tried it I had a problem with my ankle, sore as f and couldn't push too hard on it, tried one hard carve and sort of collapsed on me (my ankle that is) so I didn't try any more so I couldn't carve it like I wanted. Eddie and I have similar carving style so watching Eddie slash it up sorta ment I reckon I would too.

I wouldn't call it a good jumper but its sorta not its M.O. so I didn't bother really testing it, although, again, Eddie popped a few good ones so I figure it can be done on this board.

I wouldn't mind testing the big one.

Its definetely for the stylish guys out there, and not for the flicky flicky guys!!!

cheers,

Robbie

I reckon it only needs the big fin on the back; three is too much, with the concave and rails and whatnot. Going to try that - next time we get decent wind. And maybe the small fin on the front.

Jumping in TT mode is more like a quick-flick ollie... cos it doesn't flex at all eh

... anyone tried a Mako fin-less?

Select to expand quote

Puetz said..

eppo said..

Puetz said..



... yeah dude, make it tri fin, should be really snappy then!!!!

Had a ride on it big fella??

... yes I did and I liked it too,,, one of the smoothest boards ever, sorta felt like your sliding every where and yet you make upwind just fine.

Didn't feel as long as the numbers say, ie 150cm is normally a longish TT but it didn't feel 150 at all and rode over chop like it wasn't there.

The day I tried it I had a problem with my ankle, sore as f and couldn't push too hard on it, tried one hard carve and sort of collapsed on me (my ankle that is) so I didn't try any more so I couldn't carve it like I wanted. Eddie and I have similar carving style so watching Eddie slash it up sorta ment I reckon I would too.

I wouldn't call it a good jumper but its sorta not its M.O. so I didn't bother really testing it, although, again, Eddie popped a few good ones so I figure it can be done on this board.

I wouldn't mind testing the big one.

Its definetely for the stylish guys out there, and not for the flicky flicky guys!!!

cheers,

Robbie

Robert just slotted straight into it. Peeling big smooth slices of water. Wanted to see some of his big carves but his bits gave up.

The only complaint I have about the King which by the way is even better in the surf, is its weight if you want to do more than just carve and surf. Might be okay fork a big guy but I kept pulling bloody stomach muscles.

Yes the board rides fine just with two fins, especially in the smaller stuff, works much better, but when the swell gets head or above I'd recommend whacking some more grip in the board through the side fins. So much more control. My bro and I still used to go real big but that was on the 140 with the edge and with TT fins in. Take them off under huge load and the back end squirrels out. But for cranking off the top of waves as you head back out for the lineup it is perfect.