I took my new custom board from Mark @ M_Oz out for a spin over the weekend-180/70 and 115 liters. I'm transitioning from my old Naish Hover (229cm) to something more compact, so I thought I'd share my experience in case anyone else is considering a similar switch.

I know some folks on the forum might consider a 180 a big board, but it's a big step for me ??.


I was initially worried the shorter board would be too small for uphauling and schloging, but I didn't have any real issues-probably thanks to the volume distribution. Credit to the shaper's magic for that! Surprisingly, I found that with some quick footwork, I could even tack-not perfect every time, but definitely doable.

When up on the foil, the board cruises along easily but is super responsive when turning and feels "floaty" downwind and on swell. It's like I can feel the foil under my feet more than with the bigger board, if that makes sense. Also, despite the tight setup it's still controllable and not nearly as "pitchy" as I expected.

One thing I think I need to work on is my position when in displacement mode. My old board had a more traditional B&J layout with the UJ and footstraps, so transitioning from displacement to planning to foiling was smooth and easy to learn on. With this board, it all happens a lot quicker-almost no planning phase-and I found myself going over the handlebars when getting up on the foil a few times. I probably need to tweak my setup or improve my skills, so any tips are welcome ??.

Overall, I'm super happy with the new setup. There's still a lot to learn, but it feels like something an average rider can definitely get the hang of.

How heavy are you Panno? I think it makes a big difference with these shorter compact boards... I am over 90 kgs and my m_oz special is 195 x 74 x 129 and I honestly wouldn't want to go smaller unless it was a second board for windy stuff only...

Getting personal Mr Love

I rock in at a comfortable 90kg, + wetsuit + harness+ vest +helmet+++, so not a slight fellow .

One difference may be that I really don't have a lot of interest in going out in less than 15knts and my biggest sail is a 5.0.

For me the board was never intended as a light wind machine, just good to know I can uphaul and float in if I need to.

Yeah short boards rock!
i took my first flights on a fanatic stingray 140l (228x85).
Then i went to the store to buy my own board.
i looked at the boards and started laughing at this crazy small Rrd Pocket rocket. 120L 180x76.
I asked who would buy/use such a small board?
you are, he replied.
and he was right.
it took a bit getting used to, but once dailed in it turned out to suit my riding style perfectly.

i love how the small boards feels like a skateboard.
responsive and carves lije a dream.

i think you have a very nice board there Panno.
would not go smaller at 90kg.
why is the tail so narrow?

Got to admin I'm not 100% on all the design details.

I took the same approach to this board I have with surfboards over the decades, spoke to the shaper, told them how I ride/what I'm looking to get out of the board and let them do their thing.

99% of the time they're on the money and 100% of the time they know more about board design than me.

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Looks very cool - excellent job Mark/Simon

Really cool! I like it. Very similar on-sheet specs to the 115 Freestyle I got this year but there can be differences that aren't obvious.

If the wind is 7.0 or smaller, I can make mine work at similar, if not heavier, weight than you. Uphauling just gets my shins a little wet. But, a far forward foil and rearward mast base with close 3 strap setup is a lot of fun to foil on, and much more fun for riding small bumps than the wide outboard setups on the other foiling boards I've used.

I'm on the lightweight side, 60-62kg, had variation on 114 L *175*80 boards for few years now, range 6-35 kn, extra width with large side bevels allow me to be in comfort when the wind drops to zero, tacking,uphaul and still comfortable on touch downs, up wind, downwind...One board does it all

Great looking board - love the lightning bolt! Enjoy

Top stuff Panno, glad you enjoyed first sesh - imagine what's to come huh

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Cornholio said.. ................why is the tail so narrow?

Is it though?
What does that last few inches really do - when the centre of lift from the board coincides with the centre of lift from the front wing, is a 'narrow' tail a thing?
Then it becomes redundant, and a wide tail perhaps moves the lift from the board to the rear.
Sinky tail enables one to pop back up by pitching nose up in brief touchdowns, so narrow or cutouts which is best? Makes big following swell less of an issue.
Lots going on with rail shape and volume distribution that is working with that tail.