Rider: 75 - 80 kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: 12 - 25 knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments:
Since a kiteboard appears to be able to last many years I am wondering whether it might be worth getting ”a very nice board”. I have a Carved Imperator from around 2005 which I bought cheap on ebay and which turned out a great board. When it was my only board, I didn’t like anything else. Problem was that it was a bit small (app 75-80 kg, 1.28 x 38 cm) so I had issues in light wind. I’m now using a Crazy fly raptor Pro Ltd (142 x 41) which is also nice but probably close to the end of it’s life. Judging by the little information there is, those who use expensive boards such as the North Select, Crazy Fly Elite, Carved Imperator, Brokite, BTS Cern, and are probably experienced and in a position to be able to compare, appear not to want to go back to “ordinary” production boards. Living in the north of Mozambique I am just about guaranteed never even to be able to see any of the expensive boards, let alone try one unless I buy it first. I understand that “the best board” would be very much a matter of personal opinion, still I’d be very interested to hear those opinions, especially when comparing boards to each other and obviously not limited to the boards highlighted above.

Hey there. Well I know the winds of Mozambique and I know u kite at ilparate by Carlo, so my advise would be a nobile board which u could get from South Africa and try and keep to the size of 140x42, at this Time I am riding a nhp 137x43 and having great fun in all wind types from 10knots upwards, if I can recall Carlo can get crazyflys at a good price..... But keep to the 140 mark size, or very close to it and if it is smaller then all ways go as wide as possible,
New boards are great as many of the leading brands have put a lot of r&d into the boards and are lighter than the older boards and also has the ability to fit both straps and boots
Hope this helps ur question

Live to fly

Select to expand quote

GarryA said..
Hey there. Well I know the winds of Mozambique and I know u kite at ilparate by Carlo, so my advise would be a nobile board which u could get from South Africa and try and keep to the size of 140x42, at this Time I am riding a nhp 137x43 and having great fun in all wind types from 10knots upwards, if I can recall Carlo can get crazyflys at a good price..... But keep to the 140 mark size, or very close to it and if it is smaller then all ways go as wide as possible,
New boards are great as many of the leading brands have put a lot of r&d into the boards and are lighter than the older boards and also has the ability to fit both straps and boots
Hope this helps ur question

Live to fly

FONE acid is good

Is that you Tony Abbott?

GarryA you are right and if you know Carlo and his Crazy Fly deal then we have probably met at some point (I'm Bart). Are you the Garry that came up that time with Nic, Andre and Jerrel ?
I guess what I mean with my question is, would it be worth it investing in a very good/expensive board, given that personal past experience seems to kind of suggest that and those that have bought any of these expensive "custom made" boards appear to have no regrets ? Very few or no reviews are available, especially comparing them with other boards.

Select to expand quote

flyingcab said...

GarryA said..
Hey there. Well I know the winds of Mozambique and I know u kite at ilparate by Carlo, so my advise would be a nobile board which u could get from South Africa and try and keep to the size of 140x42, at this Time I am riding a nhp 137x43 and having great fun in all wind types from 10knots upwards, if I can recall Carlo can get crazyflys at a good price..... But keep to the 140 mark size, or very close to it and if it is smaller then all ways go as wide as possible,
New boards are great as many of the leading brands have put a lot of r&d into the boards and are lighter than the older boards and also has the ability to fit both straps and boots
Hope this helps ur question

Live to fly

FONE acid is good

Acid!! acid has a max size of 134. Tinny board

Yes Bart , I am. And how r u
And it is worth the money to invest in a board but like I siad try and keep to a size around. 140x 42 , especially for the wind in Pemba as u guys rarely get winds above 30knots, found that size works in Mozambique.
Send my regards to the guys that side

No sorry, NickT ...... Came by boat ????

Shinn Turbo or Monk

^^^^^^^^^^^^agreed! but go the bigger sizes for more water time.

Add to the list

Origin 142x47 is my go to board for flat or surf.
Will get you out in 12kts on a 12m & still hold in 22kts on the same kite + pops great & carves sick = awesome

other boards that are sick are

mako 150 - less bottom end than Origin , but best toeside board ever and does all the tricks + turns all water into butter smooth, can surf on this thing 8)

Shinn King Gee 150x50 is a seriously advanced TT that will do all the tricks that any HP TT will o (albeit slower). Amazing for a massive TT. + bonus of way more low end.

Naish Motion = sick fun. A bit hard on the knees but fast carves and pops awesome.

Jamie Pro - the only North TT I have ever liked. Totally sweet board. I would get the biggest one available

Cab Custom - everyone I have tried is awesome but you gotta size up as they take a bit to get going - also a bit of a knee tester.

Good Luck - Enjoy!