Hey everyone and DJ.

Do you guys have any reviews / feedback / thoughts about the older 17' Naish that used to be around that had a rudder.
I think you guys used to paddle a few(?).

How do you think a 65kg light weight will handle it, and how was the rudder system on the board design wise (worked well?).
Heavy board?
My normal board is a 12'6x 24 LE.

So pretty much a quick review really, and is there anything you would change on it if they made a new version ;) ......

Thanks in advance.

I still have mine.. IMO it's an awesome board..

To make it better for me I'd put more volume in the nose to bring it up quicker when pearling.. and make the nose slightly less pointy.. I'm not sure the rocker is as good as it could be.. I'd move the steering slightly more forward.. and a little bit lighter board would be nice.. I'd also add a finbox in front of the rudder so you could take the steering off and use a fixed fin.. oh.. and new style deck pad and graphics would be nice..

It's a big board for 65kg.

I had one years ago and it surfed ok but was a big board to cart around and store. Good downwinder

I can recall having many heart stopping moments coming in at Burleigh when swell was on. Made coming in through the surf interesting trying not to snap the thing in half.

Rudder system worked well for either right or left foot preference.

These boards would have a few years on them by now and designs have improved.

Look around

Great board once you put a fixed fin in (with box just ahead of the rudder position). I also put leash plugs in the deck so that I can carry the board with my paddle SIC-style, which helps a lot with a big board in the wind. These two mods transformed the board as a practical proposition for most conditions. You can usually these days find one at a bargain price, and for what you get, with a little tinkering, you have a seriously fast, versatile, and tough board. For it's size and age it's pretty light too.

But I think you are too light for it. I have a couple of friends about your weight who have tried mine, and it's just too much board for them. I think the lower weight limit to get the best out of the Naish 17 might be around 75kg. It helps if you are a power paddler too. Big boards need big grunt.

Beautiful board though. It takes up a lot of space but every time I intend to sell it I take it out for a last ride, and then decide not to part with it.

Hmm...now you've reminded me, I think maybe I'll leave the Bullet at home tomorrow and take the Naish 17 for a change...

I'm 75kg, and have paddled my friends Naish 17 in flat water.
It's got that "This is my ship, what are you bastards doing on my beach???" feel about it.
Aeshetically very nice to paddle, but don't think I could contend with the logistics of storage & transport

Is that the new Bullet V2 you are referring to Area10?
The SIC boards are now being carried by SHQ in Melbourne...but no demo boards...Doh!
Give us a rundown?

Hi hanza1111,

I was looking at that board as well, because for $500 NZ who cares if it is not perfect. I have just ordered a new 14ft GX so I think I will have my hands full trying to find the energy to ride that everyday. So you wont have me competing for the top bid.

Wow - $500? Someone is going to get themselves a lot of fun for very little money.

My new Bullet V2 arrives next week. RRP is nearly 10 times that in the UK. Will it be 10 times faster, more durable, and fun than that Naish 17? Difficult to see how it could be. So you pays your money and you makes your choice.

That's the start price for the auction, wil go for more I'm sure.

Select to expand quote

Area10 said..

Beautiful board though. It takes up a lot of space but every time I intend to sell it I take it out for a last ride, and then decide not to part with it.

Ditto. I have a fixed rear fin and a fixed ventral in mine, this allows me to stand well forward and use (almost) the whole waterline length - I tend to use it for flat water distance more than anything else. I think mine is a 2011 or maybe a 2010, and it had two owners before me. Interestingly, I have put mine side-by-side with a couple of later-year versions and mine has a significantly flatter rocker. Odd.

But I agree with others - it will be a big handful for you at 65kg.

Thanks for the input everyone!
Yep with a reserve of $500 was tempting and would have been fun to try.
Was looking at using it for coastal/ocean longer journeys 10km+.
And off course for smoking downwinders.
Sounds like it might be a bit heavy to paddle for my 65kg(?) for any length of time... I do feel I am a v strong paddler and technically good but I guess you can't escape the weight and size of the board.
Maybe I'll be better off with a lighter SIC 17' or 14' for 20-30km downwinders.

Interesting someone mentioned it has a low rocker nose. Maybe the newer models and SIC fit into the bumps better...

Can anyone comment on how the rudder reacts if you have to step back a whole lot when surfing a bigger bump so that the nose doesn't pearl. Does it keep going straight with no rudder input when you are that far back i.e. it won't react to rear foot pressure side to side... goes where it wants...

cheers.

A rudder should go back to neutral position once you take your foot off the steering, at your size a 14ft SIC board would be perfect.

Get a 17 Bullet.
Then let me have a few laps on it
Shame they are so expensive and never a demo available.
Almost worth a trip to Maui to try.