Looking to get a board that was designed with chop pretty much as a priorty. Liked the look of the shinn Dundee, looks like it isn't been made anymore? Or am I wrong here?
The monk looked like a good second place choice however. Any other brands I should be looking into? Obviously still want to carve, upwind and general freeriding to the best possible spec whilst still cruising through the chop.
Also is there anywhere in Adelaide that I could demo boards? Not a lot of kite shops anymore...
Lastly beginner to intermediate rider around 75kg.
Thanks.
The Axis Limited is worth considering for what u have described.....
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Axis-Limited-2016/
I have 2014 model and absolutely love it!
Look at the Pinbot in the Shinn Range.
Other noteworthy chop eating boards are-
North X-Ride
Naish Motion
Nobile T5
Thanks for the replies.
Out of those options really liking the looks and features of the Shinn Pinbot and Naish Motion. Hard to compare online though.
Been on the jimmy Lewis model 3 for a few years and that's awesome in chop. Just changed to the ocean rodeo 150 mako and that thing is in a league of its own . Unbelievably comfortable through chop just takes a couple of sessions to get it dialed
Wow that mako looks completely different to anything else. Very interesting!
What's the reasoning behind going so big 150 and 165? Apart from helping in lighter wind.
Select to expand quoteDrury said...
The Monk and Bronq should also be considered from Shinn
Bronq looks sweet. Favourite of the Shinn lineup.
Select to expand quoteCygnify said...
Wow that mako looks completely different to anything else. Very interesting!
What's the reasoning behind going so big 150 and 165? Apart from helping in lighter wind.
I'm assuming it's got to do with wave riding. It a great tt in waves even though some people on here think it should be banned.the 150 can be ridden as a directional with just moving the foot pads back and chucking in some extra fins . I find its not that good in real lite wind it's better powered up , I reckon it's got to much concave for a light wind board they seem to be wider and flatter bottom shape .
Select to expand quoteCygnify said..
Thanks for the replies.
Out of those options really liking the looks and features of the Shinn Pinbot and Naish Motion. Hard to compare online though.
I'm about your weight always riding in rough chop.
I've got the Naish Monarch 132, it's awesome,
The Naish Motion looks pretty much the same so it's guaranteed to be good.
don't forget that the pads provide half the performance of any board,
all the shinn riders locally have Naish Apex pads on their boards
Select to expand quoteCygnify said..
Wow that mako looks completely different to anything else. Very interesting!
What's the reasoning behind going so big 150 and 165? Apart from helping in lighter wind.
Theyre quite narrow and the bottom end isn't great... the 150 is more like a 140. But oh so smooth!
Select to expand quoteCygnify said..
Wow that mako looks completely different to anything else. Very interesting!
What's the reasoning behind going so big 150 and 165? Apart from helping in lighter wind.
Ellipse shapes (mako) loose a lot of surface area. more surface area = better light wind performance. Its just like big kite works better in light wind. So too does a board with more surface area.
So Mako 150x40 has a similar surface area to 130 x 41 rectangular shape.
As far as chop munching is concerned a longer curved shape munches chop better than a short rectangular shape.
Short rectangular shapes can be slappy and twitchy.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..Cygnify said..
Wow that mako looks completely different to anything else. Very interesting!
What's the reasoning behind going so big 150 and 165? Apart from helping in lighter wind.
Ellipse shapes (mako) loose a lot of surface area. more surface area = better light wind performance. Its just like big kite works better in light wind. So too does a board with more surface area.
So Mako 150x40 has a similar surface area to 130 x 41 rectangular shape.
As far as chop munching is concerned a longer curved shape munches chop better than a short rectangular shape.
Short rectangular shapes can be slappy and twitchy.
That makes sense.
From what I've seen and reviews I've read, the Shinn Bronq is right up my alley I think. I also seem to have expensive taste. The mako would be my second choice, but I think I'd like to stick to a more traditional TT shape for some reason.
I can also see myself riding a directional board in the future, when the wind is lighter to start with and then for waves down the track.
You'll struggle to find a choppier spot than my local, especially in high wind low swell days,
I've owned and trialed a heap of boards from different brands and models
Your style of riding and kite choice IMHO is a big part in certain boards, some mention tip shapes, these make no difference from my point of view, flexibility in the tips is essential, a rounded outline with decent concave and rocker is also a premium
No point having the bronq in average conditions with a mid to low powered kite, waste of money
It's made to be ridden hard in good to powered/ overpowered winds on an aggressive kite and rider,
The monk is a great do it all board and is happy at both ends of the spectrum, it'll let you push as hard as you want but still be happy cruising in lesser powered conditions,
Spent a bit of time on the pinbot after riding the bronq, nice board but a big step back in performance,
Some boards worth a look are the crazyfly a, xenon , north xride and Jamie, the smaller or mako, rode some of the old axis boards,
But for me you'll struggle to find a better board in hard conditions than the shinn,
The quality of build is premium and use a fair amount of snowboard technology in their construction, I'm on the original monk and I've thrashed it, she's got a few scars on her but is still going strong,
Not sure what your riding ATM but you'll certainly notice the different feel in ride compared to other brands, magic carpet is a description I'd use, and coming off a standard board it was highly noticeable add the no spray factor , see if you can get on some of the boards mentioned in some decent conditions
Unsure of your location but action sports balcatta have a range of shinns amongst other brands
I'm riding a f one trax lite tech. Got a good deal on it hence the reason I have it, and didn't do enough research (although it seems like it should be good in chop..). To be honest don't like it much at all. That is in chop, I think it is better suited to flatter water personally. Doesn't really gel with me this board.
I'm definitely leaning towards Shinn. Monk or Bronq. I like riding hard and powered up. I love going as fast as possible (on chop) and powered as possible, but then also carving and cruising at times too. Conditions aren't always as powered as I'd like tho, so maybe the monk would be better choice, but the bronq and the extra pop does seem great.
Both similar in waves? I'd like to get a directional board or light wind TT for those marginal days so should be pretty powered when using whatever board I get.
I'm in Adelaide.
Cauncy, which board feels smoother/softer the Monk or Bronq or not much between them?
I owned a 2015 Monk that I traded in for a Bronq. As stated above, Bronq is awesome in every way (light weight, awesome pop, crazy carving, fast) - it's like a more aggressive version of the Monk. Both Monk and Bronq eat chop for breakfast, no spray in your face guaranteed, and fly through chop fast (especially the Bronq).
That being said, and as stated above, the Bronq with its high rocker is powerhungry! I ride the 135 and @73 kgs I struggle to stay upwind if I'm not nicely powered up. You need good power in your kite to really enjoy this board. +side to this story is that you can really ride it superoverpowered as well - just lean back and hold that edge, never lose control, and boost biiiiiig.
I've solved this issue by riding my SB in lighter winds (no big boosting then anyways), and riding my Bronq in 17/18kts and up (12m Dice). I also have a 2014 Liquid Force Focus and this TT eats chop nicely too (not as good as the Shinns though) and has less pop etc. (but still good enough), but flies upwind like no other TT I have ever ridden, so in light winds and flat water this board is great.
Anyways if you like to ride powered up only go for the Bronq, but maybe get a size up from what you would normally ride if you want a bit more low end cus they are powerhungry!
I'm selling my 2012 154cm Cabrinha Chopstick soon. It has been specifically designed to deal with chop and does so brilliantly!! I can't speak for other brands but one this does the trick. 154cm worked for me as I'm over 100 kegs, but I've seen other smaller models who's owners swear by them.
PM me if you are interested in the one I've got, it's in good condition. But I'm too lazy to package it up and post it, so you'll need to be in WA.
the OR MAKO 150 is an amazing board in chop and for carving. I'm very happy with mine
+1 for the Mako 150. Awesome board for chop, surf and downwinders. The heavy rocker and deep concave work together to create a feather soft ride. Not a light wind board for me at 95kgs but when powered up it comes alive. Like lots of front foot weight too which takes pressure off the back leg.
Awesome in glassy flat water too.
I have tried a lot of different boards for chop. IMO the Shinn Monk is the best I have ever been on in the chop.
Yep I'm going to go with it.
Hopefully have a demo of the mako 150 too in the near future.
Select to expand quoteCygnify said..
Yep I'm going to go with it.
Hopefully have a demo of the mako 150 too in the near future.
When you demo the Mako spend a bit of time playing with you foot weighting. If you ride like a square tip tt and try to bash through chop it will be harsh. (its a very stiff board) More weight on the front foot and slice through the chop. Then you will unleash the glory of the mako.
someone above mentioned the axis limited which is the all carbon one. I demo'd an axis vanguard which I think is the same outline and rocker as the limited but only carbon reinforcements, and it was great through the chop. it was a 2016 which has a fat rail which axis say is why it is so good through the chop, the 2015 wasn't as good apparently. but perhaps a bit more unforgiving when carving than other wave oriented boards. norths x-ride and cabrinhas tronic are designed for small waves specifically I think - they have more rounded ends
vanguard 2016 felt like a brick to my non freestyle legs on choppy waters. way too stiff for my taste.. xenon laluz was more forgiving
I had a Dundee for several years, fantastic board. I started looking at some of the other Shinn boards a couple of years ago, I demoed a Turbo, a Red and a Monk. All great boards, all have their plus points. Luckily I managed to demo them all over a period of several weeks so I could try them at different spots.
I was torn by the Turbo because it was the Dundee replacement, It was nearly chosen.
Then the Monk, well, that was just something else. It just kept egging me on, then telling me is that all you have. Sliced through chop, the only thing that was going to give was my knees\legs. Amazing board.
I couldn't decide, I wanted them all because they had such good traits
I managed to get a demo of a Monk Forever. Just like the Monk, but better... I thought I could buy one and keep the Dundee. So I did. Never regretted it. I bought the size smaller than my Dundee so I could ride more powered. Dundee was 44 wide, MF is 42. Dundee was used in sub 25, MF in plus 20
Happy Days
Then last summer I had a demo of a Bronq, the 42, man, what a difference. Had that for a few weeks. Had to send it back because I couldn't \ wouldn't pay the price. Felt a little small on some days. SO power hungry... So Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooth, unbelievably smooth. So much faster than the MF and I thought that was a fast board.
I felt I needed the bigger one. I weigh from 90 - 100 kgs. So I am supposed to have the bigger boards.
Told the guy I wanted to demo a 44 wide when he had one. No worries he says. Will ship one down when it's back from demo.
Also going back to the MF was not a nice experience, felt much harder under foot. The Bronq is just so smooth.
I forget about it, because I'm still not feeling the price.
My birthday arrives about a month later. My girlfriend has bought me a 44 wide Bronq 
She and the dealer had kept it quiet.
I have sold my Dundee as I no longer need it. I have moved my Naish Apex pads\straps from the MF onto the Bronq and it's like riding in my favorite slippers. on a magic carpet.
I can ride it so powered it's unreal, just edge and it digs in and carves up wind. No splashes of water in your face. I mean none. So smooth, it's like a hot knife in butter through the chop.
I've had it 3mths now and I had a go back on my MF last weekend. that is still a nice board, but it is no where near as good as the Bronq. I got a couple of face fulls of water, which I didn't like (it's getting cold here in the UK now).
The Bronq carves so much better, jumps the same (for me).
I prefer the Bronq. Even if it is power hungry. You just have to learn to ride it slightly differently.
I had a go a a Mako a few years back, sure it was ok in chop. But they have no flex in the board, so you still feel the harshness of the slop.
Sorry for the long post, but I am a Shinn lover 
I haven't even seen the bronq. But i'll guarantee its got a high rocker. That will make it smooth in chop and power hungry.....
Looking at the shin website there is no actual mention of specs of rocker and concave
Do they assume everyone is stupid and doesn't need to know specs?
Does nobody care what the actual rocker and concave is???
The web site spouts all sorts of made up jargon but very little actual technical info that would allow for actual informed decision making.
Rant over.
For people who don't know here's some rules of thumb with board building/specs
More rocker = smoother, slower, better carving more power hungry worse upwind
Less rocker = harsh ride, faster, better upwind, holds less power more efficient.
Concave adds lift and efficiency . Its about getting s flatter water line. On a kiteboard the water line is at a diagonal across the board. The flatter that is the more efficient the board. The higher rocker you have the more concave you need to remain efficient. This is the secret to the Mako. It has a crazy rocker and a crazy concave. Slap a straight edge across the waterline and you discover its dead flat!...
Flex in the center of the not very desirable. But flex at the tips can make a board more efficient while still being smooth. So in light wind without much chop or power the tips stay straight and give an efficient shape. When you load the board up the tip flexes and gives a higher rocker line creating a smoother ride that can hold more power. But too much flex can shed power and reduce pop ability. So a stiffer board, though harsher can probably pop better.
Length adds surface area, efficiency and smoothness. A longer board is less twitchy and slices chop better... to a point. But increases rotational weight so is less desirable for rotating tricks.
A short board make tricks and rotations easier and gives faster turning.
Width adds surface area without increasing rotation weight. Infact width is more important than length for surface area and light wind efficiency. 1cm increase in width is = to 3.5cm increase in length. Boards today are generally wider and shorter compared to boards 10 years ago.
Outline plays a roll too. a rectangle shape gives the most surface area and efficiency. So that is best for light wind. It also allows for good load and pop. But a its harsher ride, worse at carving. The more rounded the shape the smoother the ride the nicer the carve....
Channels in the board hold more lateral grip. This means smaller or no fins need can be used. Fins add drag. So a board than can hold the same lateral grip with less fins becomes more efficient. There is also some evidence that some channels can create lift and efficiency also.
So... Generally speaking the attributes that make a board smoother. More rocker more tip flex more rounded shape also make a board less efficient and worse upwind.
Any way the designer gets all these variables and throws them together to make a board somewhere along the spectrum between awesome upwind and ultrasmooth power holding machine. You just need to decide where you sit in that spectrum.
Select to expand quoteSonnyRider said...
I had a Dundee for several years, fantastic board. I started looking at some of the other Shinn boards a couple of years ago, I demoed a Turbo, a Red and a Monk. All great boards, all have their plus points. Luckily I managed to demo them all over a period of several weeks so I could try them at different spots.
I was torn by the Turbo because it was the Dundee replacement, It was nearly chosen.
Then the Monk, well, that was just something else. It just kept egging me on, then telling me is that all you have. Sliced through chop, the only thing that was going to give was my knees\legs. Amazing board.
I couldn't decide, I wanted them all because they had such good traits
I managed to get a demo of a Monk Forever. Just like the Monk, but better... I thought I could buy one and keep the Dundee. So I did. Never regretted it. I bought the size smaller than my Dundee so I could ride more powered. Dundee was 44 wide, MF is 42. Dundee was used in sub 25, MF in plus 20
Happy Days
Then last summer I had a demo of a Bronq, the 42, man, what a difference. Had that for a few weeks. Had to send it back because I couldn't \ wouldn't pay the price. Felt a little small on some days. SO power hungry... So Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooth, unbelievably smooth. So much faster than the MF and I thought that was a fast board.
I felt I needed the bigger one. I weigh from 90 - 100 kgs. So I am supposed to have the bigger boards.
Told the guy I wanted to demo a 44 wide when he had one. No worries he says. Will ship one down when it's back from demo.
Also going back to the MF was not a nice experience, felt much harder under foot. The Bronq is just so smooth.
I forget about it, because I'm still not feeling the price.
My birthday arrives about a month later. My girlfriend has bought me a 44 wide Bronq She and the dealer had kept it quiet.
I have sold my Dundee as I no longer need it. I have moved my Naish Apex pads\straps from the MF onto the Bronq and it's like riding in my favorite slippers. on a magic carpet.
I can ride it so powered it's unreal, just edge and it digs in and carves up wind. No splashes of water in your face. I mean none. So smooth, it's like a hot knife in butter through the chop.
I've had it 3mths now and I had a go back on my MF last weekend. that is still a nice board, but it is no where near as good as the Bronq. I got a couple of face fulls of water, which I didn't like (it's getting cold here in the UK now).
The Bronq carves so much better, jumps the same (for me).
I prefer the Bronq. Even if it is power hungry. You just have to learn to ride it slightly differently.
I had a go a a Mako a few years back, sure it was ok in chop. But they have no flex in the board, so you still feel the harshness of the slop.
Sorry for the long post, but I am a Shinn lover
It takes more than a go to get the mako sussed, you obviously were riding it like a stranded tt to get the harshness. It's all about weight distribution. There is no one right board for everyone . Peoples styles , ability , kites etc. are all different it's just finding what works right for you
