Hello I'm from "Down Up",

I've been using Naish boards after my reentre in 2001.
First used the Mistral Naish wave 1999 with flames and after that the Mistral Naish with lightning striping.
Then the Naish Competitions (85, 75, 63 liter) starting around 2004.
That was followed by Naish Pro Wave US1111 2008 (85, 75 liter).

They were all very light and fast boards with some nervous feeling but very reactive steering and felt skaty/small/very exciting.
Real on the edge feeling, agile/lively
All the boards had good planing, jump and up wind quality's.

So when the Naish Pro Wave US1111 after intensive use de-laminated and because I was previous always very happy with a Naish wave.
I bought last year, blind (without testing) a Naish Wave 3D 80 from 2012.
I don' t like this board at all.
It's slow, boring controllable, very bad planing/up wind quality's and not at all exciting.
Tried trifin, single fin, all the footstraps positions and used all the masttrack.
The board feels very sticky to the water with a long wet surface and leaving my behind the mate' s.
The boards weighs noticeable heavier.
So I'm not happy with this board at all and losing my blind faith in Naish.

I know that from single fin to trifin needs some stands adjustment but with my (limited)experience I think I can recognize the potential of a board.


1. So, did Naish stop making exciting boards after 2010?
2. Am I the only one who notices this?
3. What is a good alternative fast board with a lively and exciting feel? (not to new because limited budget)





Don't be to strict with my English writing, its not my first language!

Actually always felt Naish boards were very dull but I had only ridden the older 90's ones. Sorry never sailed the 2012 version. But, I do remember some very high rockered boards for a couple years... That said, Last season I got a chance to ride my friends 2015 RN Wave 82 & was very pleasantly surprised - It was very quick, planed reasonable well & turned amazing. A very lively board ! ... only one problem, it had gone soft between the straps. My friend got it cheap from a Naish rider & decided he didn't want to deal with it so he gave it to me. I rode the board about 3 more times & it was great, but finally developed cracks on the rails & began to take on water... I like it so much I plan on fixing it. That said the Naish rider had quite a few boards go soft on him - not too surprising as they are quite light. So, to answer your question, Yes i think the newer Naish shapes are pretty lively but their construction maybe a bit fragile. Most newer wave boards I think you will find very lively. Any thing newer from Goya, Fanatic & usually a faster rockered board in most brands line-up will not disappoint compared to the old Naish's IMHO...

Yes Icelake, Naish boards are dull, amateurish with no sex appeal whatever. Why, I don't know. There is light in the tunnnel however with signing up Ricardo Campello and Justyna Sniady in the Naish team . I notice that Ricardo is ripping on some sexy quads made for him. Hope this will retranslate to production one day.... For some reason Naish turned his back on windsurfing-the sport that made him the legend he currently is. Instead he followed the trend of developing waterywindy foily wingy gimmicks. But signing Ricardo is a good first move. Meanwhile I think you will be MUCH better off with a severne, fanatic, goya/quatro, tabou,flika etc. wave board.

Interesting thread. I used to own 2008 Naish Freestyle 100. I think that in the same lineup they had 90L Freewave, 100 and 115 were freestyles. Awesome boards. Lightest and stiffest boards I ever came across. Used to own Naish 9-11 but it was such long time ago that I didn't have skills to ride it. So sold without ever trying. :(
However, I heard from many people that Naish boards (Waves) before 2010 were long, narrow and required lots of wind to work. Generally I don't understand Naish boards so don't buy. Some Naish kites like Pivot are amazing. I have 2.

I also remember that in 2010/2012 or so Naish's shaper Harrold Iggy passed away so maybe some shape changes got implemented by someone else. I wish I sailed older Naish Waves and could provide some useful fedback.

Looking at Catalogues etc the big change in the Naish waveboard line happens after 2014 so I was probably lucky to get on the 2015 - previous to that they were very old school. The 2015-19 vintage boards seem similar - at least in outline. They are still not very short by today's standards because of the long pointy surf style nose but the rear section is more modern with the stance placed fairly far back for a pretty compact feel. I did find I had to place the base right at the back of the Track to feel balanced & liven up the ride... In any case as Sprayblaze says there are plenty of very lively Waveboards out there now but with some brands you have to pick the right model.

Hello,

Thanks for the responses!
Yes with Ricardo Campello on the team the shapers will at least have to think about the construction for his boards.

Has anyone first hand experience specific with the 'Naish Wave 3D 2012'?
Or advice for the settings.


"For some reason Naish turned his back on windsurfing-the sport that made him the legend he currently is"
That is a confirmation what I suspected.
Hopefully Naish is now back on the edge with the new team members.


Qute Leto: "However, I heard from many people that Naish boards (Waves) before 2010 were long, narrow and required lots of wind to work."
Yes that's what I like, narrow but didn' t required lots of wind for me. Always first planing.

You gave all the usual suspect brands but what specific board stands out for speed, jumping, high end, excitement and sexiness? Around 73liter.
And because of a small budget between 2010 - 2015

So jealous it's a windy summer overthere...

Can be interesting for Naish with Ricardo. Watch what Patrik is saying about him.. lol
?t=4988
watch at 1:23:22

OK Icelake, I see that you are fond of tiny narrow and fast wave boards. But of course you are on a budget like most of us. You aim for 2010-2015 period. My recommendation: Tabou Da Curve quadster 67 l 2015 224cm length 53 cm width 5 slots (If by any chance you find it, don't miss it). A hell of a board, as close to Thomas Traversa's world champ stick, as a production board could possibly get. Fast, amazing early planning!! pointing upwind, holding speed through turns, carrying sails 3.0 -4.5m effortlessly onshore, side shore you name it. I still regret that I sold it (I am 73 kg -used to be 70,btw). After 2015 Tabou stopped producing Da curves less than 76 l ( in other words Thomas Traversas replicas) stating that their rockers were too user unfriendly for the mass consumer.. A crappish explanation imho. So they said goodbye to proper wave boards, but still better Tabou than Naish imho. Right now I am on Goya Custom 4 79 2020/2021. I am stoked. This is what I can say. But it has its cost... Hope this helps. Cheers.

Cheers Sprayblaze,

This sounds exactly what i'm looking for.
Same weights as you.

The Tabou's were already standing out in the search for a substitute of the Naish wave.
Maybe because I'm also looking for different sailbrand for my beloved and overused Naish Sessions 2009.
(Naish stopped making them and from 2012 til 2015 the Sessions are dead-ugly/boring).

The Gaastra Manics caught my intrest and thus Tabou boards.

Are the earlier (< 2015) Da Curves also worth looking for?
Must say don't like the Tabou's paintwork.

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Icelake said..
Cheers Sprayblaze,

This sounds exactly what i'm looking for.
Same weights as you.

The Tabou's were already standing out in the search for a substitute of the Naish wave.
Maybe because I'm also looking for different sailbrand for my beloved and overused Naish Sessions 2009.
(Naish stopped making them and from 2012 til 2015 the Sessions are dead-ugly/boring).

The Gaastra Manics caught my intrest and thus Tabou boards.

Are the earlier (< 2015) Da Curves also worth looking for?
Must say don't like the Tabou's paintwork.

I have not sailed the Tabou but as Sprayblaze says the Goya Quad from about 2014 on are very fast & lively boards. If you happen to find a used Fanatic Quad TE from 2012/13 they are a fast & narrow shape in 69/75liters. The 12 has uglier(IMO) graphic but otherwise the same shape. Newer version got wider with more tail rocker which killed some of the speed. The newer Grip is also a nice board which has good speed & heaps of control. Depends on how focused you are on riding waves vs. speed/jumps...

Sounds like you are really after a very small FSW rather than a groundswell board.

Icelake, I totally agree the Naish from 2012 is dog of a board. My 2c is that it ploughs and does not release easily - I had to check it for a pulse as I thought it was dead.... Such a nice looking board with such a dull feel. Mount it on a wall and get a real board IMO.
Tabou DaCurve Quadsters are very fast and lively boards - I love them.
Fanatic Quads from 2013 (when the went green) are outstanding wave machines.
Goya Quads - just bloody awesome

AB.....

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Icelake said..
Cheers Sprayblaze,

This sounds exactly what i'm looking for.
Same weights as you.

The Tabou's were already standing out in the search for a substitute of the Naish wave.
Maybe because I'm also looking for different sailbrand for my beloved and overused Naish Sessions 2009.
(Naish stopped making them and from 2012 til 2015 the Sessions are dead-ugly/boring).

The Gaastra Manics caught my intrest and thus Tabou boards.

Are the earlier (< 2015) Da Curves also worth looking for?
Must say don't like the Tabou's paintwork.

Yes, earlier <2015 Da Curves are also worth looking for, starting from 2012 up to 2015. I am talking the 67 liters ONLY. Coolest graphics I would say is 2015 imho.

I'm pretty interested in this thread. I have a few Naish boards- a 2017 Global 92, 2019 Starship 115 and a 2020 big Galaxy 145. They have held up well with pretty heavy use and where I sail them has chop-on-swell which they seem to suit really well. I find them really good- pretty lively with nice chuckaround characteristics. I guess it's horses for courses but I certainly enjoy them!

Hi . Generally, the 3D Naishboards were/are very technical to sail and need to be setup with a different fin setup (as the delivered ones) especially if you like to cover a wider range of conditions. It is also a wave board and not a bump and jump board.It depends on where and how you want to sail the Naish Wave 3D 80l. I do sail the 74l and 80 l 3d shapes mostly in side-on and side shore, but the true potential of this board is in side off conditions. If you sail in side-on you usually go a bit bigger on your fin area, length and sail size. If you sail in gusty conditions you need a power wave sail like a force 5 as the board needs to be powered up. Also keep in mind the board has less volume as the spec says (approx. 75l instead of 80l) so you need a bit of wind and waves. Not sure if you mentioned your weight? On my 80l board I use 12 cm K4 Ezzy's asymmetrical 1-degree sides and a K4 17cm Scorcher centre fin, even up to 20 cm but that is pretty rare, only if I sail 5,7 in light winds and strong current. The 3d shape turns super nice but you also need to get your technique right. You should not judge that board on your mate's speed runs as it's made for waves and turns. If you are looking for more drive, I recently tried the K4 front stubbies in the new 85 Assault and they deliver excellent drive and speed, and I would recommend them for side on conditions in your 80l 3d board (probably get 12 cm so you can go better upwind). They are cheaper in comparison to the MFCs which I use in the Naish Hardline. Alternatively, you can try to get a superseded Naish global wave (pump and jump style, early planing but still turns nicely), Hardline or mad dog they are more current Naish shapes, light weight and very fast wave boards. These shapes are much more direct, they come with MFC fins which gives the board a more direct and lively feeling if this is what you are after. The current Assault wave board single/thruster covers a wide range from side on to side shore conditions and planes super early and feels loose in a Thruster setup. Lots of fun! Anyway, as I said before it really comes down to where you sail, the conditions and what you actually want to do with the board. You can get more out of the board with a different fin setup. Below a few pics of my quiver & setup (mostly used in side on conditions).Lastly, I use different foot straps with the 3D shape to protect my foot and ankle as they are more flexible if you twist your foot in a wipe out or backloop. Another benefit is they don't suck a lot of water which keeps the board lighter. Just saying.

Thanks everyone for the insights and advices!

Especially Caipi for the elaborate and colorful contribution (what a treat : ).

Some more background info from me is maybe helpfull.

My weight is 74'ish kg
75% of the tow is one a big lake with the biggest waves 1,50m.
Starting from 20 knots it's thus very winddriven (small board is no problem) and always dead onshore. There are nice waves breaking on some sandbanks. Very bump and jump.

I was surprised the rockered single fin Naish boards until 2010 worked so good for me in those conditions.

25% of the tow is on the Northsea coast with most cross-onshore and the odd sideshore day.
Slow chaotic shorebreak and unreliable wind.

Favoring jumping and looping (sticking the forward and attempting the backy) for waveriding but don't back down for a 5 turn wave.

Last year 60+ sessions of 3-5 hours, sometimes without a break.

Have to drive 1,5 hour to a decent spot so there's a limited budget for gear.
That's why I'm extra disapointed because for the first time I spend some extra budget on a multifin Naish that didn't deliver it for me.


Quote Big Al:
"Icelake, I totally agree the Naish from 2012 is dog of a board. My 2c is that it ploughs and does not release easily - I had to check it for a pulse as I thought it was dead.... Such a nice looking board with such a dull feel."
Exactly, The Naish Wave 3D ploughs through the water instead of gliding over it.
It made me doubt my skills for a while but it looks like i'm not the only one : )


@Caipi:
That's a bunch of nice looking boards!
Because I was looking for a 75l. and heard about the rumour that Naish wave 2012 3D 80l. could be 75l. It was a deciding factor to purchase the board.
With the original fins the trifin setup (8cm and 14cm ?) doesn't work for me. Absolutly no grip at all. And don' t feel the difference between a 20 or 22 centrefin because of the long wet surface.
Have to mention that i like your finboxfillers a lot : ). I want some.

How is the Naish wave 2011 (white/yellow in the picture) compared with the Naish wave 3D 2012 (black/yellow)?

Like all the pointers from you!

After that description I also think you need a FSW.......

Here's the Master himself Robby in januari 2021 at Jaws.
His choice of board is pre-2010.
It's a single fin Naish Pro Wave US1111 from 2008.

The old geezer stil knows how to rip : )

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Icelake said..
Here's the Master himself Robby in januari 2021 at Jaws.
His choice of board is pre-2010.
It's a single fin Naish Pro Wave US1111 from 2008.

The old geezer stil knows how to rip : )

Exactly.... just shows those older boards are exactly the opposite of what you want for your lake & North sea conditions... but, not a bad choice for Jaws.

I doubt that's a production board... Robby rides customs at jaws

It would be a Harold Iggy shape.

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RuaraidhK257 said..
I doubt that's a production board... Robby rides customs at jaws

True... but just thinking long & narrow control oriented shape in any case...

To the original poster I think you needed the Naish Koncept 2012 not the Naish Wave 2012.

A freestyle /bump and jump style board makes sense.

www.osmsports.com/naish/12board.html

^^^^ agreed
but I will say that upon repairing one I was horrified at the lack of material. Barely freeride construction, not a jumper like their advertising would suggest.....

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Mark _australia said..
^^^^ agreed
but I will say that upon repairing one I was horrified at the lack of material. Barely freeride construction, not a jumper like their advertising would suggest.....

Mark, Are you sure that was the same year some Koncepts were made in some AST (not sure if that is correct) or even cheaper construction see "whiter" boards from 2011 for example which may have been lacking. The 2012 Koncept was definitely not the cheaper AST construction although it was not the same light construction as the Wave 2012. Cheers Richard

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Icelake said..
Thanks everyone for the insights and advices!


@Caipi:
That's a bunch of nice looking boards!
Because I was looking for a 75l. and heard about the rumour that Naish wave 2012 3D 80l. could be 75l. It was a deciding factor to purchase the board.
With the original fins the trifin setup (8cm and 14cm ?) doesn't work for me. Absolutly no grip at all. And don' t feel the difference between a 20 or 22 centrefin because of the long wet surface.
Have to mention that i like your finboxfillers a lot : ). I want some.

How is the Naish wave 2011 (white/yellow in the picture) compared with the Naish wave 3D 2012 (black/yellow)?

Like all the pointers from you!

Hi Icelake, the 8cm and 14cm fin setup is actually for the 74l 3D board, the 80l came with 16,5cm and 9cm side fins.
The 2011 shape is identical to the 2012. I suggest to upgrade the fin setup and take the 80l board to Scheveningen or wijk an zee (depending on where you live) and give it a go when its windy (and a bit warmer ).

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RichardG said..
Mark, Are you sure that was the same year some Koncepts were made in some AST (not sure if that is correct) or even cheaper construction see "whiter" boards from 2011 for example which may have been lacking. The 2012 Koncept was definitely not the cheaper AST construction although it was not the same light construction as the Wave 2012. Cheers Richard

The one with wood deck and yellow rails / matte yellow bottom - nothing under the wood.....

I believe 2012 Koncept had improved construction over 2011 with same shape but different graphics. PVC wood sandwich in 2012 instead of just wood sandwich and other improvements. Indeed one review notes issues with the 2011 Koncept construction, not sure whether this is related. The 2013 Koncept was less wavy and changed to a more freeride/freestyle genre.

issuu.com/sspadari/docs/2011naishwindsurfing_catalog_english

epikoo.com/windsurfing/boards/naish-koncept-2011

epikoo.com/windsurfing/boards/naish-koncept-2012

www.osmsports.com/naish/12board.html

www.caymanwindsurfing.com/2013/04/naish-koncept/

Nice to know it was just that one year. Now you said 2011 I think yes def 2011 in retrospect

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Mark _australia said..
Nice to know it was just that one year. Now you said 2011 I think yes def 2011 in retrospect

Mark, It is good we have someone of the calibre of your forensic and investigative skills working on board construction and repairs. Thanks and Cheers R

Quotes: gorgesailor & RuaraidhK257
"Exactly.... just shows those older boards are exactly the opposite of what you want for your lake & North sea conditions... but, not a bad choice for Jaws."
"I doubt that's a production board... Robby rides customs at jaws"

Could it be that Robby's Naish picked this board because Jaws is choppy and goes very fast? The Naish wave 2008 is relative narrow and thus very fast, what we used to call a 'gunny' type of board.
I think at Jaws you need controllability in the chop and speed to out run the monsters.
That's what i liked about the pre-2011 Naish wave boards in my bump and jump conditions.
But I'm not a expert regarding Jaws. I would *hit and piss my wetsuit.

Are you sure it's not a production board in the Jaws clip?
Wasn't it until recent the policy of Naish that everyone on the team had to use production boards, even in competition?



Maybe you all are right about i need a FSW board for my conditions.
But that ain't sexy and never had the opportunity to try one.



@Caipi
The fins with board are: 21,5 cm. (8.5")
14 cm. (5.5")
2x9 cm. (3.5")
for centre fin I use now 20cm.

And when the snowdunes are gone and after some ice-skating/windsurfing I will try some settings at "Wijk" (aan Zee). That was a good guess : )

And for oldtime sake: