I've got an old 09/10 SB Kode 94 LTR, only had it for about 12 months but it's fast becoming my favourite board out of the five boards I own that range from 85-170 litres. It's just a joy to ride. Thinking about getting a bigger version for free riding in slightly less wind. Just wondering if the newer models have that same appeal, early planing, fast, easy to gybe ( for a hack like me), loves chop, just all round fun to ride. Anyone had old and new?

The Kodes are great boards and yes always refining the design but an older one is still going to work well.
I'm getting a 2013 104 liter for onshore days, jumping and waveriding, but can flat water sail with 6.5m

I was wondering about getting a smaller one for B & J but noticed they have US boxes? Or at least the older one i saw did. How do they go upwind ?
Pity they don't have a powerbox as then you could put a decent fin in.

Starboard kode does a 30cm Drake Free wave fin that will work well with Kodes in free ride mode although not as stiff as a PB fin.
When you use kode for wave riding then fin forward and underneath rear foot.
If it comes with the 30cm fin then get it

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sboardcrazy said..
I was wondering about getting a smaller one for B & J but noticed they have US boxes? Or at least the older one i saw did. How do they go upwind ?
Pity they don't have a powerbox as then you could put a decent fin in.

Just realised my Kode is actually a 2011 model. Technora construction which suits me as a novice, I don't have to stress about those inevitable stacks as I progress

Yes, has a US fin box which I assumed allows versatilly between straight line or wavey use, a bit fiddly to fit but not a big issue.

As far as going upwind is concerned, I'm generally a beam reach free-rider so don't know it's true limits. I don't seem to have trouble holding my ground though.

Be careful with Kodes as they changed so much.

They were a FSW derived from the Kombat........ then became more freeride (like yours)......... then they became "wave in the small sizes, FSW in the middle, and more freeride in the larger" like some sail ranges do.
Later they were all wavey, with twins and all manner of fin arrangements.
Then later a Kode (wave) and Ultrakode (purportedly better waves?)

Then worse still, now a range where they are all pure wave but the smaller sizes were Stones (and bloody awesome BTW) the bigger ones were Koster/Bruch..... and in between was one size that was god-knows what meld of all.

The Kode has always been good - but be very careful from year to year, as a mid-sized Kode from about 2006 to 2019 has gone from FSW to kinda FSW to pure core wave and the big one has gone from FSW, to freeride, to not made at all, back to pure wave again.

Magazine reviews are your friend here I think.

Then construction- carbon wood was good and still going strong 10yrs later....... but the first biaxial grey deck ones in 2010-11 ish(?) broke across the deck sometimes. (Yours is what I'd consider the best in the Kodes, they seemed to last)
Now the Carbon Reflex that is so featherlight they all fail if jumped hard and from what I've seen 2mm instead of 3mm corecell on the deck (FFS its a waveboard people, are u listening Starboard?) and the end-grain balsa ones that would suck water like a b1tch if you dinged it and be almost impossible to repair and match to look good.....
At least a return to partial carbon/innegra in one of the Kodes recently......


So consider it well...........

^ Thanks for sharing your wisdom, appreciate it and glad I asked the question.

On another note, I notice in another topic your recommendation for 85 LTR boards. Good to know, because I recently picked up this beauty on SB buy and sell. Mint condition 2009 84 litre. Haven't used it yet but could have today when my Kode was too big in the 25+ knot gusts. Forecast for tomorrow is the same so should get it wet tomorrow. . And yes Sue it's powerbox.

OW, good to see someone is getting some quality wind.
Nice lookin lil board.

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Orange Whip said..
^ Thanks for sharing your wisdom, appreciate it and glad I asked the question.

On another note, I notice in another topic your recommendation for 85 LTR boards. Good to know, because I recently picked up this beauty on SB buy and sell. Mint condition 2009 84 litre. Haven't used it yet but could have today when my Kode was too big in the 25+ knot gusts. Forecast for tomorrow is the same so should get it wet tomorrow. . And yes Sue it's powerbox.

Nice!

Yes nice board but plenty of choice.
The older Starboard Carve did an 80 and 90 liter with Tuttle box.
Then Naish Starship have power box. My mate had one but not 'wavy enough' for him but he said the 90 liter was fast, controllable and awesome turns.
First world problems eh