My wife and I are thinking about adding downwinders on Maui to our summer activities. We are not interested in racing at all, and are looking for boards that would be fun to catch bumps and have fun riding and negotiating them on Maui downwinders, probably often in Kihei if wind conditions allow. We are surfers at heart, not racers. The M12'6" sounds like a good board for my wife, but I am having a tougher time deciding between that and the M14 for myself. Info: 5'11", 163 lbs (75 kilos), 65 yrs old with two messed up hips, but otherwise in strong physical condition with no problem doing 5 hour surf sessions. My current SUP surfboards are an 8'7" Sunova Flow and an 8'10" Speeed, both of which are the perfect stability for me in glassy conditions. I go to a 145 liter Tabou when it gets choppy. My lower limit is about 110 liters in glass, and I need closer to 140 when its really choppy.
With all that info, anyone have suggestions as to which M size would be best for me; or possibly other boards to suggest for old farts that want to have fun maneuvering in ocean swells, but are too stiff and sore to spend a lot of time having to climb back up on board after falls. NSP is one other option that I was considering, but I am concerned that it might be too race oriented; thoughts?
Go the 14 for sure. You'll catch more bumps and have more fun.
The most obvious alternative choice for Maui would be a SIC Bullet. Honed in those waters. The V2 has a loyal following worldwide, but if you can, try demoing the V1. It depends on your local conditions as to which is the best choice.
14ft may seem like a lot of board if you are used to surf SUPs. But they won't seem big once you get them out into open waters, and in the same way that small SUPs generally perform better in surf, longer SUPs generally perform better downwind. The length isn't about racing, it's about ease of catching bumps and the ability to stay on them and connect them. That's where the FUN is. Which is why 14s are more fun downwind. Why limit your fun?
Being old and balance challenged, I found the V1 Bullet to be more reassuring than the V2.
Not much between the V1 and the M14, but again the high volume rails on the V1 made me feel more confident.
M 14 a beautiful board though.
M14 or the 14' SIC V1 or V2. I have a M14 and it is made for Maui downwinders! I don't live in Maui but I did years ago so know the conditions.
Hi Obijohn,
I agree with everyone below about getting a 14' for the Maui downwinders because you'll just enjoy the ride more...I was there last year with Jimmy & did my first Maliko runs straight up on one of M14's & had a ball...I never came close to falling off & it was a breeze & couldn't wait to get back to the Gulch to do another run...Jimmy paddles the Maliko run every day it's good & the M-14 & the NEW 14' Rail are designed for Maui downwinders (as are the SIC's) as they're both based there....
Your wife might enjoy the Rail as it's a little more refined than the M-14 but both are perfect for the job...He suggests going wider for your downwinders as you'll get more glide onto the runs...There's a great shop right near the airport where you can hire them & SIC aren't far away....Have fun...
Hi Obijohn,
Yes I've paddled the Maliko on the M-14 & as I said previously it's made for it...The new Rail is just a more refined version of the M-14 which I use here....
See what Jimmy says below-
This is the ultimate race board for moderate to extreme down wind conditions. The lower over all rocker gives this board very low drag paddling with quick acceleration for getting into glides. This tested bottom curve does not ever “stick” or “catch” up front while on a glide or getting into a glide. This unique bottom shape starts with a “V” in the nose that separates the water entry for zero drag and flows into a double concave which gives the board lift and direction then flows into a “V” in the back for effortless rail to rail responsiveness.
