Struggling to justify spending $800-$1200 on one of these surfboards especially as there are not many to demo...however I do need a new board as my current no name brand 5'10 board (that I got for $190) has seen better days.

I have been looking at the BWS Jack Mulcoy, but only chance I will get to try it is after I hand over $800.

So are they worth it ?

In your case NO the Mulcoy is not worth it. It's an awesome board, but very light & therefore fragile. From what you've said, you're going to be dissappointed seeing it deteriorating with each use. Generally the production boards last very well & are good value for money. Mulcoy is a bit different, you're paying the extra $ for light weight performance not durability.
cheers
Col

my 2 cents - nope not worth it.
I bought a 2011 cab s-qaud this year - they're quite fast, but you need to ride it powered up, as it doesn't really surf.

My main principle now is, if it doesn't have a stringer, be it on the rail, like FW or down the middle, it will not surf properly. There's no spring, no pop.

Bamboo veneer boards, prevent denting to an extent, but will not surf the same as a stringed board. They flex and absorb impacts, but don't spring back like a stringered board.

I'd love to sell my cab, and buy a Sunova or FW then maybe a Josh mulcoy (2nd hand) for lighter days.

Having said all that, if you actually look at the costs to make a board (in australia)
it adds up pretty quickly, ontop of that kite boards have the extra cost of straps and pads.
i would however drop 1000+ on a sunova anyday (if i had the cash atm).

Hi Andrewm,

I'll take that challenge! We demo North WAM, North Whip, North X-Surf, and North Nugget. Who says you can't get a demo of a decent board in WA? All our demo's whilst heavily used, look like brand new (except the 6' WAM which was dropped on it's nose and chipped the nose tip a bit. Solarez fixed it.

The North lineup are amazing and most of ours sell after a demo ride. Don't know about the Cabs or Naishies, but the North surf well and are designed to last for years, so in answer to your question; yes, they are totally worth it.

DM

if your keen to get a mulcoy ive one your welcome to take for a fang and demo- the new kiteshop -KSS- in scarborough has them in stock but cant get enough of them to put a demo at this stage, but you are welcome to try mine. pm me if your keen over the holidays.

so Col what would you buy next time the board you kited better on the other day at dicko (bws..mulcoy ) or the naish or slingshot boards you have now that you may have spent the same sort of money on...that are a lot heavier.... Can't see how you can say that your going to be be dissappointed at seeing it deteriorating after each use, sorry but they hold up fine....try the 5" 10 (mulcoy) next time you'll like it as well

I sell the Mulcoy and would like to say that Col is right on the money with his comments (as usual)
It is a light weight performance board specifically built for those who dont want to compromise performance for guaranteed longevity.
BWS acknowledge this on their website and retailers will always offer this info to prospective buyers BUT it is a no-holds-barred performer. Customers who have bought them absolutely froth over the performance they deliver.
If you are in the market for a kite'surf' board that really 'surfs' then the Mulcoy is sure to please.
If you want something heavier and stiffer that is more likely to withstand the battering that kiters can impact on their boards there are lots of options.
If you want to demo a Mulcoy give us a ring. We can arrange it - as long as you qualify as a kite'surfer' rather than just an average kiter looking for a board to play with in waves and downwinders. For this type of surfboard kiter we have other great options that we have on regular demo. eg the Duke by Mark Shinn. Custom shaped for kite'surfing', built strong for kiting but with shaping to ensure it surfs like a surf board.

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rfw1 said...

so Col what would you buy next time the board you kited better on the other day at dicko (bws..mulcoy ) or the naish or slingshot boards you have now that you may have spent the same sort of money on...that are a lot heavier.... Can't see how you can say that your going to be be dissappointed at seeing it deteriorating after each use, sorry but they hold up fine....try the 5" 10 (mulcoy) next time you'll like it as well

Well Phil, that's an interesting question. You had a good point the other day. Just how long do you want a board to last? Bearing in mind that (generalising), the less it's durability the higher the performance, & the better your skills the better the durability. I wouldn't choose a painted board cause repairs are so unsightly. I really like the way the Naish handles but it's too heavy, & it still suffers damage from a solid hit. I'm a big fan of the bamboo layup & a big fan of carbon rails & my slingshot I reckon is the ants pants. For a lighter wind board though the lighter weight & bit extra tail area of the Mulcoy would be brilliant. I still have concerns re EPS Marko foam. Pressure moulded Styrene? What is it's longer term water absorbtion qualities?
cheers
Col

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andrewm said...

Struggling to justify spending $800-$1200 on one of these surfboards especially as there are not many to demo...however I do need a new board as my current no name brand 5'10 board (that I got for $190) has seen better days.

I have been looking at the BWS Jack Mulcoy, but only chance I will get to try it is after I hand over $800.

So are they worth it ?

If moneys tight why don't you buy a second hand 5'10", from you local surf shop. There's heaps of proven shapers to choose from. Most boards that size are loose, just find one that's suits what you want. If you want straps or to jump a lot then maybe look for a second hand production board that's a bit heavier duty and more durable.

Thanks for the advice.

I would expect for $1,000 that the board last around 2 seasons of normal use. I am only 75kg and given perth's swell conditions I don't think that is to much to ask

Will try demo a few in the new year.

It all depends how hard you kite , strapped like a snowboard demon going big nothing is going to last , maybe a rawson (liquid force) , red Best surfboards are strong , - unstrapped your travelling a lot slower with little airs, half pie hacks , but you need it lighter and more manouverable , mulcoy has a lovely shape that he copied , heaps of boards around like that one and cheaper . dont get swept up into the bs ,sorry bws gravy train.

I get custom Carbon Fiber with Kevlar reinforced surfboards made by a local shaper to the size and shape I want for $600 to $700. Stronger and better performing than other boards I have ridden.

Hi Andrew I have the 2010 North 5'10" Wam had it for 2 years still going strong . there are a couple second hand on seabreeze 2011 would give you the choice of 4 fins or 3 fin set up . I been very happy with me surfboard.

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green menace said...

mulcoy has a lovely shape that he copied

Just like to throw the cat amoung the pigeons, ah menace?
What do you mean? Is there a board in particular, you're thinking of, that he's copied? Or, just like everyone else,(excepting Bob McTavish & few others) he's stolen the thruster/quad concept, the swallow tail, the soft rounded rails, flattish centre rocker increasing towards each end, the concave & pointy nose.
Col

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COL said...

green menace said...

mulcoy has a lovely shape that he copied

Just like to throw the cat amoung the pigeons, ah menace?
What do you mean? Is there a board in particular, you're thinking of, that he's copied? Or, just like everyone else,(excepting Bob McTavish & few others) he's stolen the thruster/quad concept, the swallow tail, the soft rounded rails, flattish centre rocker increasing towards each end, the concave & pointy nose.
Col

I'm guessing he is referring to the look of the board. The Mulcoy looks the same as the other Stretch boards with the sunken rails etc. But apparently he has put a bit of design into it, and it is kite specific.

Worth it is my vote! Well up to a grand, beyond that I reckon the price is getting a bit steep.
The 2012 Cab lineup are good value for money and apart from the quad fin trigger the rest surf ok as well. We have had zero breakages this year and speaking with Keahi recently he said he has been on the same board since half way through this year (June) and its still going strong with no signs that it's going to fail and he does punish a board!!

I don't reckon you need new boards. These are the boards I mainly use for kiting, all boards 5'6" to 5'9", I have a few others which are mainly used for surfing:

Cab skillit - 600 secondhand
Epoxy fish - 200 s'hand
Poly shortboard - 120 s'hand

Total cost is 920, same as one new board, but I get to try a few different shapes.

Most used is the cab skillit, it's tough and does the job, but lacks flex and feel.

Best performer is poly shortboard but it's not tough enough, FCS keep popping out, but is very lively and has great feel.

The fish is more suited to paddle surfing as the extra width seems to be more of a hindrance when kiting.

The go I reckon is to try as many boards as possible until you have a good idea what you prefer. Then get a local shaper to shape a board to your preferred specs.