howdy suppers.... need some advice. am looking for a wave board, and am quite taken with the JL stuff... has anybody ridden both the 9'9 mano and the 9'1 kwad?
and if so, what are the primary differences? obviously thruster v quad config, but in real terms, on head high waves and above, whats the deal? also interested in paddling/stability comparison...? all comments appreciated!
I have tried them both but 9 months apart. Here in Geraldton there a few recent converts to the 9'1 quad and one of them has moved from the Mano. From two of the people I have talked to the quad is maybe more stable, and more maneuverable. The quad prefers to be turned rail to rail. For those that can surf the quad is impressive when ridden well.
Ben and Tim were ripping last week!
I don't own one so take my comments with a grain of salt.
I have the 9'9 mano and had a blast on worriers 9'1 kwad in head high and clean conditions, it felt very stable - possibly more stable than the 9'9, paddled well, felt noticeably flatter and wider. a little more paddle effort required to catch waves but fired as soon as the momentum was there, didn't roll into the bottom turn as well as the 9'9 but performed good and was fun. I didn't really get a feel for the quad set up so can't comment either way.
Taking into account all the usual rider variables, for "me" there wasn't that much in it, with only 5 liters in volume difference between the 2 boards and after 18 months on the 9'9 the flatter feel and extra width of the 9'1 made the maneuverability feel mal style compared to short board.
By comparison worrier has come down from the 190L 9'5 mana to the 135L 9'1 kwad and its chalk and cheese for him and he is having a ball.
JL's rock!
Edit: Must remember to remind worrier that courts said "The 'XL' logo is for XTRA LARGE FAT SUPers!"
Had the 9 9 Mano for a year moved to the 9 1 kwad 4 months ago. 105kg with 4 yrs experience on sups.
The kwad gets better and better the more you get used to it. Turns remarkably well for a sup accelerating out of turns it feels really nimble. You have to get used to putting your back foot right back which sometimes feels wrong but it works. Liking it more and more on bigger waves now as well.
I put GL quads in it to increase grip and speed.
I think the key to the design are the thin rails really allows you to get straight back up a wave or to hold a tight line in a steep section.
Overall a step up from the Mano. The only thing I miss is the nose rocker. There are better boards for small gutless waves but for good quality 1 to 6+ the kwad is hard to beat for someone my size. If I was lighter I would go the 8 7 they are really stable.
I weigth 100kg and tried the 8'7" kwad on flat water with some chop, and was surprised by the stability. Heaps stabler than a Hobie CMP 8'11" or JL Mano 9'4" for instance.
Edit: Must remember to remind worrier that courts said "The 'XL' logo is for XTRA LARGE FAT SUPers!"
Might be time for a weigh off fat boy.
W
I can comment on Kwad 8'7 against Mano 9'0... Volume is about the same...
Like the Kwad allot and I will probably get one for myself very soon!
Both are great boards but they are quite different..
I will still ride the Mano in anything overhead +
Read here from Master Jimmy in my opinion is spot on and really give the idea!!!
Fin configuration is not a trend. It changes the way the board rides. Will you choose a 3 fin thruster like the MANO, or the 4 fin KWAD?
The fin configuration changes the pivot point on the board. On the Mano, your pivot point is further back. The larger center fin on the back of the 3-fin holds the tail tight through a carve. The board is longer and narrow compared to the Kwad. The widest point of the board is further back as well.
THE RESULT: SUPER TIGHT, HIGH-G CARVES
If the Chamber were a Formula One race car, The KWAD would be a drifting Rally Car. The smaller back fins are set close to the rails. The hips of the board are wider and further forward. This means a pivot point that is further forward. It also means TAIL RELEASE which allows for a loose, skatey feeling.
Bye Jankie
thanks for all the feedback guys, tried the Mano, and ended up with the 10'2. cos much as i hate to admit it, im a bit of a sup kook... , go's nicely in head high to bit overhead stuff, and as advertised has great down the line speed for those sections... seems to turn pretty well, happy so far, and will update as i progress...
cheers, T
For your info..
Jimmy is launching a new Kwad for heavier people.
Info I got say 9'7 x 31 with 150 liters of volume. So about the same as the Mano 10'2.
Bye Jankie
Not quite the boards you're mentioning , but I've got the mano 9'4 and the Mctavish 9' quad. Both feel very different and I use whichever is right for the conditions. The mano is more carvey & is awesome in 2-3' and above waves , and has really good glide ( same as my JL 10') , so when I'm using it on bigger slower swell it works like a dream. The Mctavish is excellent for steeper beach breaks of any size ,quad set up makes it very slashy , not as much glide as the mano , but useful amount of volume up front means you can often pick up a wave by getting that little bit further forward before jumping back as you drop.
Hi T one,
Pardon my ignorance, and sorry to get off topic, but I had the impression there was not alot of surf in the NT.
I understand if you don't want to give away secrets, but is there enough surf to warrant a surf trip to the north?
Also what about nasties in the water?
Cheers
Steve - yeah, i reckon the new "larger gents" Kwad Jankie mentioned would be an excellent stable mate for the Mano... will work on that!
Doc - a surf trip north is an excellent idea, but go a bit further north than here...
i ride an 11'6 naish aircraft carrier (not actually sure what it's called), up here, as we get 1 to 2 foot at best (actual face size 
). we do get big surf in the monsoons, but it's screaming onshore, and far better suited to kiting. the mano lives in Bali, which is def where u wanna be for that surf trip . and yeah, we do have some nasties in the water up here, but hey, we dont have great whites... swings and roundabouts ya know...
Jankie - cya next week... woohooo...
