I've had the Kode 125 L since November 2020 and the Flikka since August 2022, so time for a comparison. I'm 188 cm and 90 kg. I live in the arsehole of the planet for wave sailing (Florida). My most used sails are between 6.7 and 7.5, though I prefer using the 6.7 as it is a true wave sail (KS3) while the 7.5 is more of a freeride sail. I had hoped to sell the Kode once I got the Flikka but after a couple of months of use, I find the Flikka to be complementary rather than a replacement.

Specs:
Kode: 227 x 69.5. Weight with fins, foot straps and mast base is 9.8 kg.
Flikka Compact: 238 x 67 with their fastest rocker (#4) in their S-glass construction with a light layup (SGL). Weight with fins, foot straps and mast base is 7.7 kg. The shape is their Compact shape. flikkaboards.com/boards/compact/

The Kode excels in light winds and slow and cross-onshore waves. Cross-shore waves are good too, but I tend to use the Flikka when it's cross-shore. I've used the Kode in up to head high conditions in cross-shore conditions and provided the wave is not hollow it works well. In weak cross-onshore conditions I've used it in well overhead waves. In onshore waves it maintains speed going DTL with an open clew exceptionally, as well as any board I've used. Thanks to the speed maintained through the bottom turn, the top turn is always fun. I've managed to aerial it a few times in cross-onshore conditions which I thought was impressive considering the size and weight of the board. Unfortunately, if there's enough wind to plane on the way out then there's probably too much wind to turn it on the way in. A heavier person shouldn't have this problem, but this is a massive board for me @ 90 kg. I've set my Kode up with 14 cm K4 Ezzy 3 degree fronts pushed as far back in the thruster box as they go, and a 25 cm "Frankenfin" center fin. The powerbox center fin is too far back, so I bought a powerbox adapter (4boards.co.uk/product/spares-repair-shop/fin-box-adapter-head/) and cut up a US box fin to push it right to the front of the powerbox adapter. All with the aim of bringing the thrusters and center fins closer together. With the standard fins the board arrived with, the board was really stiff.

The Flikka is relatively "power hungry" compared to the Kode. It needs either enough wind to plane if the waves are small, or bigger waves or cross off wind if the wind is not enough to plane. In small slow waves, and light cross onshore waves it does not keep speed through the bottom turn as well as the Kode. In cross-shore and especially ultra light cross off wind it is really really good. I've had cross-off sessions where the kites can't even stay in the air and I am getting amazing rides without the effort of wobbling on a too small board to get back out again afterwards. In cross and cross off conditions late hits and aerials are easy. When hitting the lip the board has a lovely "pop" off the top. A few times I've carried on sailing it after the wind has picked up enough for my Pyro 105 L, and while it was still a lot of fun, I had to hold back on the bottom turns as it will bounce out on the chop running across the wave face. Switching to the 105 L at that stage was the right call. Thanks to its size getting out in bigger waves is easy, even compared to the Kode. Probably due to the longer length. The Flikka is also easier to pump onto a wave than the Kode. I ride the Flikka as a twin fin. My only criticism is that the slot boxes were set towards the back of the rear footstraps but I think they should have been set under the rear footstraps, i.e probably 1.5 - 2 cm further forward. Since the boards are custom, that's an easy fix for future customers. My guess is that with the fins further forward the board would be better in smaller waves at the expense of the current excellent performance in bigger waves.

Summary:
Kode - best in cross onshore < 6 ft waves, sub planing winds
Flikka Compact - best in (only slightly) cross on to cross off. For cross off, wind can be ridiculously light. Otherwise best when enough wind to plane. Earlier to plane than the Kode.

Can you really wave sail with a 6.7m sail ????

It sounds like more bump and jump weather.
I get the idea about bringing the fins closer but it sounds like you are trying to wave sail, not in waves.

Good write up, would be interested in seeing the boards under side.

Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Great review appreciate you doing it

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

I'm 92kg, with a harness and wetsuit and board weight thats around 110 kg all up, thats not grotesque and I'm not huge and I mainly sail with a 5.8m wave sail in fairly lightish winds, if I used anything less than a 100 litre board I'd be up to my waist and I know of people that are 6ft3 and 100kg.
OK for you skinny little rubber people on 75 litre boards.
I can dig in the rail of a 115 and carve it easily whereas my mate who is 72kg hates the board as he can't sink the rail.
I have been sailing for 35 years too and still love it and still sail a wave board.

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Kind of a bizarre remark unless it was a joke. Grotesque? That's Florida from climate to food to population to politics and that's where he's sailing. He mentions that "kites can't even stay in the air" and that means less than 7kt. Do you really want to be on a sinker, with or without bullsharks, in 7kt? If you don't like calling it wavesailing call it float-and-ride or wind-SUP our whatever you like, but the dude is going to be on the water while guys on legit wavesailing gear are on the beach.

For a lot of Florida, in fact, those are pretty small daily whips. Probably the most coveted board in Philn's neck of the woods is the 11'5" Exocet X-Longboard. On the Gulf Coast where the surf is even suckier than on the Atlantic I "wavesail" on a 9' Sealion, typically on 5.7-7.5.

I would avoid Starboard. In my experience with them they wouldn't honor their warranty or stand behind their products.

nice report philn Has anyone ridden the new flikka compact 90 to 100 lt ?

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Sounds like you wouldn't know.

What is your weight and volumes?

I've had my best couple of waves ever on 90L and 5.0, and 122L FSW and 6.4

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said..

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Sounds like you wouldn't know.

What is your weight and volumes?

I've had my best couple of waves ever on 90L and 5.0, and 122L FSW and 6.4

Hi Mark,
My weight is 73 +/- 1.5 kg. My boards vary from 70 -80 l ( not that I haven't had a bunch of 85-90 l). For my taste the smaller you ride the more tasty it gets. Wave boards more than 100l and 63-64 cm are nonsense imho. OK, FSW -yes, but wave - come on... 67 cm width- this is nuts.. No hard feelings.

Select to expand quote

My weight is 73 +/- 1.5 kg. My boards vary from 70 -80 l ( not that I haven't had a bunch of 85-90 l). For my taste the smaller you ride the more tasty it gets. Wave boards more than 100l and 63-64 cm are nonsense imho. OK, FSW -yes, but wave - come on... 67 cm width- this is nuts.. No hard feelings.

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

I had the same OP but production wave and custom wave brands have gone a lot more than 100 lt and 63 cm wide for big guys with very successful shapes and it s not only the board imagine a 191 boom but the ks3 has a true wave foot cut.

Philn have you tried other configs for flikka Only very few run well as a twin. I run a 94 shape sometimes with mfc twin power 17 fins and i like it very much in onshore. How do you compare the new flikka compact to your pyro ?

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..

Mark _australia said..

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Sounds like you wouldn't know.

What is your weight and volumes?

I've had my best couple of waves ever on 90L and 5.0, and 122L FSW and 6.4

Hi Mark,
My weight is 73 +/- 1.5 kg. My boards vary from 70 -80 l ( not that I haven't had a bunch of 85-90 l). For my taste the smaller you ride the more tasty it gets. Wave boards more than 100l and 63-64 cm are nonsense imho. OK, FSW -yes, but wave - come on... 67 cm width- this is nuts.. No hard feelings.

I bet you either live in WA where there's proper wind or somewhere in Northern hemisphere. Try sailing such a small board on the East coast and you'd never go sailing.
Our winds lately, for the past four years have been terrible, they are improving this week but I usually sail with a large wave sail.
Most people here use 5.3m sails quite a lot as the wind is a lot less dense than other places or just not that much wind.

You might sail an 80 litre board but that would be -20 litres for bigger guys, thats like you sailing a 50 litre board.

Board design has changed lots in the past 10 years and boards turn better than before.

Whats someone that weighs 90kg supposed to use in proper waves when a FSW wouldn't go down the line ??????

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..

Mark _australia said..

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

Sounds like you wouldn't know.

What is your weight and volumes?

I've had my best couple of waves ever on 90L and 5.0, and 122L FSW and 6.4

Hi Mark,
My weight is 73 +/- 1.5 kg. My boards vary from 70 -80 l ( not that I haven't had a bunch of 85-90 l). For my taste the smaller you ride the more tasty it gets. Wave boards more than 100l and 63-64 cm are nonsense imho. OK, FSW -yes, but wave - come on... 67 cm width- this is nuts.. No hard feelings.

No

A 100kg person can turn a board that a smaller person can't. I agree too wide is no good but Ive made plenty over 100L that work great
Right volume distribution is crucial ... More so than little boards as the big fella wants to get up n go but still have a slender enough tail for wave hacking

The advent of big wave boards (not just FSW) was a godsend

Select to expand quote

Snapfigure said..
nice report philn Has anyone ridden the new flikka compact 90 to 100 lt ?

I've ridden the 115 L. Compared to my 128 L Flikka it holds bottom turn speed better in cross onshore than the 128 L does. Not sure why that would be?

I really liked the 115 L in cross shore and cross onshore. Felt like a (massively) blown up version of the 2020 Cube 98 L.

Select to expand quote

Snapfigure said..
Philn have you tried other configs for flikka Only very few run well as a twin. I run a 94 shape sometimes with mfc twin power 17 fins and i like it very much in onshore.

I've tried other configurations in a friend's Flikka. He's only 60 kg so I can only use his light wind slog and ride board of 88 L when it's windy enough for me to plane with a 5.0. His board is the Flikka thuster shape with 5 fin boxes. I think it was rocker 4. I first tried it as a thruster and hated it. Very easy to get planing and gybed like it was on rails but I couldn't get a nice bottom turn out of it. Just felt loads too stiff on the initiation, even though my toes in the rear strap were practically touching the water. I then tried it as a quad and it was so much better, night and day. Predictable and easy to initiate the bottom turn and with nice grip on the bottom turn to push hard in bigger waves (very biggest sets were logo high that day). Secure feeling on the top turns, and for aerials and lip smacks a lovely "pop" off the top. Didn't try it as a twin, but I think it would have been awesome as a twin in small waves.

Select to expand quote

philn said..

Snapfigure said..
Philn have you tried other configs for flikka Only very few run well as a twin. I run a 94 shape sometimes with mfc twin power 17 fins and i like it very much in onshore.

I've tried other configurations in a friend's Flikka. He's only 60 kg so I can only use his light wind slog and ride board of 88 L when it's windy enough for me to plane with a 5.0. His board is the Flikka thuster shape with 5 fin boxes. I think it was rocker 4.

He reckons 88 L is too big. He replaced it with an 83 L which he uses for most of his sailing here in Florida now. Using the same ratio of 60:88 to 90 kg gives 132 L, and 60:83 gives 125 L, so the ratio of body weight in kg plus around 35% seems to give a board size that works for our sh!tty winds in Florida.

Interesting writeup. I have 95L Quatro quad in Miami. Never sailed there as I had to babysit but last 2 times I was there (late fall and spring) for the total of 10 days it was blowing 17-20 knots quite a few days. I'm also about 85kg and for me that 95L with say 5.9-6m sail would be enough. I run it mostly as twin anyways... That 2016 quatro cube quad is also pretty efficient board.

Also these ratios : 60:88 to 90 kg gives 132 L, and 60:83 gives 125 L may not be that linear baking in big board widths/shape. I would never get 132L wave board for 90kg..

What i also want to say is Florida's somewhat changing... I remember when I was there 15+ years ago on quite a few occasions, it was absolutely windless, nowadays may be somewhat different story. Running 7.5m on a wave board may be painful... I would rather super massively overfin the board or taken 100L freestyle board instead of sticking 7.5 onto it in some quad/thruster mode. LOL

Select to expand quote

Snapfigure said..
How do you compare the new flikka compact to your pyro ?

The size difference to my Flikka 128 L to my Pyro 105 L is massive, so I'll rather try to compare the Pyro 105 L to the 115 L Flikka Compact.

The Pyro changes quite a bit depending on the fin configuration. I have mostly ridden the Pyro as a thruster and only fairly recently tested it as a quad and a twin. Here are my impressions of each fin configuration:

Set up as a thruster (21 cm center and 10 cm thrusters):
Pros
-Easy all round set up - set it and forget it.
-Worked best in cross shore to slightly cross onshore.
Cons
-Not enough grip in hollower/faster waves
-Compared to for example Quatro Cube it initially felt very "slidey" even with 21 cm center fin. But I got used to the feeling after a while.
-The more cross on it gets, the less I liked it compared to other boards.
-In cross off big waves felt a bit slow and stiff.

Set up as a quad (16 cm rears and 10 cm thrusters)
Pros
-Great in bigger/hollower waves
-Felt really secure through the bottom turn, could push as hard as I wanted without fear of it sliding out, even in chop (if I wasn't overpowered - I don't like sailing overpowered)
Cons
-Small waves
-Never tried this configuration in cross on but I suspect that's another con

Set up as a twin - I initially tried with 17 cm K4 Scorchers. Also tried with 17 cm Black Project Wave Multi fins (the skinny model before the Epic Wave, which has a wider base). Did not like the feeling of either of those fins in the Pyro at all. Always felt like the tail was about to slide out. In retrospect this probably meant they were too small. I did not try again as a twin until 18 months later when I saw a much better sailor than me using twin Black Project 17.5 cm Epic Wave fins in a Pyro 93 L. This time I tried with 18 cm Flikka Wave medium (02) fins. So far have only used it twice in head high to logo high cross shore conditions but I am really impressed with how the Pyro feels as a twin. Going forward I think I will ride it as a twin in all conditions that I previously rode it as a thruster.

Pros (with 18 cm Flikka fins)
-Feels easier to get planning than as a thruster or a quad
-Turns tighter than the thruster on the bottom turn.
-Easier to redirect mid bottom turn than the thruster
-Felt somewhere between the thruster and the quad for grip on the bottom turn - this really surprised me.
-Most of the time didn't have a problem with too slidey in the top turn, and was able to easily pull the tail back in under me when I did unintentionally slide out on the top turn
-I haven't tried it in cross onshore yet but that should be another pro.
Cons
-Does slide out more in the top turn than as a quad.

Vs Flikka 115 L
-The Pyro is looser and turns tighter (well duh).
-The Flikka carries a bigger sail with ease (well duh).
-The Flikka holds its speed better than the Pyro in cross onshore and almost onshore conditions.
-The Flikka generates speed from the wave better than the Pyro in light conditions or in small wave conditions (but probably because it is bigger, and this board has a squash tail rather than the swallow tail on the Pyro.
-I think the Pyro will handle big waves better than the Flikka Compact, but have no direct experience to confirm this.

I don't like Gore-Tex valves as I had one fail on a previous board. The Flikka can be ordered with an old-fashioned valve if you are not a Gore-Tex fan.

Select to expand quote

leto said..
Interesting writeup. I have 95L Quatro quad in Miami. Never sailed there as I had to babysit but last 2 times I was there (late fall and spring) for the total of 10 days it was blowing 17-20 knots quite a few days. I'm also about 85kg and for me that 95L with say 5.9-6m sail would be enough. I run it mostly as twin anyways... That 2016 quatro cube quad is also pretty efficient board.

I have the 2020 Cube 98 L as my "high" wind board. As soon as there is enough wind for a 5.5 I love that board. I've tried it with a 5.8 and the sail felt too big. I recently bought Black Project Epic Wave 16.5 cm twin fins and based on my session with them I think they'll be perfect for the Cube.

Miami is definitely windier than Central Florida where I am, but Miami has no waves. Jupiter inlet is 2 hours south of me and gets both waves and stronger wind than Central Florida so I often go there. Most of my sessions on my Pyro 105 L and Cube 98 L have been at Jupiter Inlet or Hobe Sound. I don't know what Miami wind is like as it's another 2 hours past Jupiter Inlet so just too far for me. Plus with no waves I wouldn't go anyway. But it's possible Miami gets even stronger wind than Jupiter?

Select to expand quote

What i also want to say is Florida's somewhat changing... I remember when I was there 15+ years ago on quite a few occasions, it was absolutely windless, nowadays may be somewhat different story. Running 7.5m on a wave board may be painful... I would rather super massively overfin the board or taken 100L freestyle board instead of sticking 7.5 onto it in some quad/thruster mode. LOL

I've only been in Florida since 2015 but I don't think Central Florida weather is changing.

When I moved to Florida from Hawaii (yes I know, why would any sane person ever leave paradise but my reasons were a lack of decent paying jobs, lack of affordable housing, lack of decent schools, lack of affordable groceries - spam from Costco doesn't cut it after a while) in 2015 my biggest board was a 2013 Cube 98 L and a 5.5 sail. I travelled to the beach a lot for my first 2 years in Florida but hardly ever got any water time and probably only had 1 or 2 decent sessions that entire time. Very frustrating watching the Floridians having a great time while I was welded to my Hawaiian mindset of "don't need bigger than a 98 L and a 5.5" and couldn't even get off the beach. Finally the locals convinced me I was missing out and I bought an Exocet 10'5 longboard, a Goya One 116 L and a KS3 6.7 in 2017. Since then I've sailed as much as any of the locals, and have learnt how to have fun on bigger boards. But I agree with you that there are diminishing returns to sail size. The KS3 design is very unique and the 6.7 seems to be as maneuverable in the waves as the 6.2 of other brands. But my 7.5 gets minimal use except on flat water as I'd rather use the KS3 in the waves.

Select to expand quote

sprayblaze said..
Wave riding with boards more than 63-64 cm width and 100l volume is grotesque. If you are that huge go try something else.

When I travel to Oregon I'm quite happy on a 58 cm wide 85 L board. It's all about local conditions.

Select to expand quote

Awalkspoiled said..
Kind of a bizarre remark unless it was a joke. Grotesque? That's Florida from climate to food to population to politics and that's where he's sailing. He mentions that "kites can't even stay in the air" and that means less than 7kt. Do you really want to be on a sinker, with or without bullsharks, in 7kt? If you don't like calling it wavesailing call it float-and-ride or wind-SUP our whatever you like, but the dude is going to be on the water while guys on legit wavesailing gear are on the beach.

For a lot of Florida, in fact, those are pretty small daily whips. Probably the most coveted board in Philn's neck of the woods is the 11'5" Exocet X-Longboard. On the Gulf Coast where the surf is even suckier than on the Atlantic I "wavesail" on a 9' Sealion, typically on 5.7-7.5.

I agree with everything above. And I used to be the guy stuck on the beach.

I'm always very glad of volume when I see a fin pop up (though fortunately most of the time it's a dolphin).

Select to expand quote

windfred said..
I would avoid Starboard. In my experience with them they wouldn't honor their warranty or stand behind their products.

I won't argue.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said..
Right volume distribution is crucial ... More so than little boards as the big fella wants to get up n go but still have a slender enough tail for wave hacking

The advent of big wave boards (not just FSW) was a godsend

Thank god for shapers like you who are willing to figure out the dimensions so that guys like me can reap the benefits.

Something for you big volume waveboarders. Hope you like it.

Cheers !

Nice to see you're a convert and things over 100L are not "nonsense"

Select to expand quote

philn said..

I have the 2020 Cube 98 L as my "high" wind board. As soon as there is enough wind for a 5.5 I love that board. I've tried it with a 5.8 and the sail felt too big. I recently bought Black Project Epic Wave 16.5 cm twin fins and based on my session with them I think they'll be perfect for the Cube.

Interesting. I run my 95L Cube with 17.5 Black Project Epic Waves as a Twin. I never used my 6m boxer on it.... but I bet it can handle it. Will make it work as it's the only board I stashed there along with 6m, 5.5 and 4.7 sails. And agree, more bump jump conditions. Also your 98 and my 95 have same dimensions, 95L is 3cm shorter. :) My 2016 may have a touch faster/flatter rocker.

Likely be in Miami in May so will see if any wind comes. However, usually when I go somewhere where [I have equipment] AND [have time to sail] - the wind vanishes. Like a personal curse. lol. Happened with me in Maui twice.. Twice in OBX...etc.. lol
But 'cheating' in Miami is also more workable - dump that wetsuit, pee well before the session and you may squeeze another knot or two out of your gear..

Select to expand quote

philn said..

Snapfigure said..
How do you compare the new flikka compact to your pyro ?

The size difference to my Flikka 128 L to my Pyro 105 L is massive, so I'll rather try to compare the Pyro 105 L to the 115 L Flikka Compact.

Thank you Philn Looking for the ultimate projection side on board like pyro flikka compact cube new ultra starboard and many more there are so many choices. I ride the 99 pyro for side onshore it s on the chunky side with a thick voluminous wide tail short, light with a straight segment under footstraps and and great rails I did not like it as a twin (17 Mfc, flikka fins 02, 15 severne) whereas my friends riding smaller sizes do, did not try as a thruster I like it as a quad with severne fins but quite more Drag in comparison to twin fin for side on . The 79 pyro is totally different board with very different rocker and lines much more wavy than the 83 and above. Actually I ride the 99 as a quad with 14 severne and MB FCSII 2,5o Toe and I super love it for all cond. There so many surf fin options for back and front fins for smaller sizes.
Glad to hear the new flikka compact carries the speed well . I didn't know with so different hull ( Flikka - Vee with bevels in the front part going in lighter vee with double concaves in the middle part and stronger Vee with double concaves in the tail part ) in contrast to the the low Drag rocker lines - hull slight single concave of pyro .
Flikka 100 Compact

Great review !!! As someone who feels blessed to have lived in some very windy places (Caribbean, NCal, SPac) I can tell you that every time I moved back to FL, it was an eye opener. It's simple, you adapt your gear to where you live.or you suffer and stop doing what you love.
It's great when it's on.but when it's not.
I've tried slogging out next to a jetty in side off 9-15 w my high end gear, way too much work and good luck if you go down in the water.
Whereas having a board that lets you troll for waves knowing you can uphaul if you HAVE Too is a game changer. Wave count goes through the roof, fun goes thru the roof.
I'll be posting a review of my Custom Quatro Shlogger Board. It's a light wind game changer.
Besides.I'm all about Hat Tricks.a perfect day for me is a surf, a windsurf and then maybe a wing sesh. :)