Naish Maliko 2020 finally gets some waves

It looks like an awesome board..

Thanks Guys. Love the board. Works much better for me than previous models. Especially on the smaller bumps.

I think it's a combination of things that makes the board stand-out from previous models. It looks like Naish finally solved the boards split personality by introducing the new Javelin and make this board come to its own as a downwind/surf racer rather than the all around racer it used to be.

As such, the more suitable outline coming to a round pintail along with the refined rails makes the board more maneuverable. In addition, the board is lighter and stiffer than previous models. That along with the higher volume makes the board much more responsive on small bumps.

Added nose rocker/ volume makes the board behave better in the bumps, it pops out quicker than previous models thus missing fewer connection due to slow downs. The new nose and the added stiffness makes this board much better upwind as well.

It's the combination of all these things that made me pull the trigger on one.

As for the construction, to be fair, I'm very hard on equipment. This board held pretty well so far. It get hit by my paddle a lot. Carrying it after downwind sessions introduced its nose and tail to the ground few times without dings.

Outside this kamikaze attempt on a beach break that landed me flat on the nose paddle first, the board is ok. I'm not saying it's a bomb proof construction like other boards on the market but under normal usage I think it will hold just fine.

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LucBenac said..
Well I am playing at, "if I had some $4,500 CAD to burn......"
I like the sound of what you said on the new Maliko.
That said I am hoping to soon try a Sunova Torpedo 14x25.5 and that board wins on aestetics big time.....our Sunova distributor just brought in here fro a friend of mine that is a racer and part of teh Sunova team so I stand a good chance to try it (COVID aside...).

Aesthetics aside, I'm convinced the Maliko would be a better performer for the use case I described. Based on what I've seen on the Torpedo it's a "stiff" surfer and you'd really have to work the tail hard to get it do what you want. I'm sure it will be pleasing to paddle and nice to look at but that's not enough. I'd rather spend under 3000 CAD for a Sunova Driftwood. It will be even better to look at and it's a board the knows what it wants to do

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LucBenac said..

burchas said..

LucBenac said..
Well I am playing at, "if I had some $4,500 CAD to burn......"
I like the sound of what you said on the new Maliko.
That said I am hoping to soon try a Sunova Torpedo 14x25.5 and that board wins on aestetics big time.....our Sunova distributor just brought in here fro a friend of mine that is a racer and part of teh Sunova team so I stand a good chance to try it (COVID aside...).

Aesthetics aside, I'm convinced the Maliko would be a better performer for the use case I described. Based on what I've seen on the Torpedo it's a "stiff" surfer and you'd really have to work the tail hard to get it do what you want. I'm sure it will be pleasing to paddle and nice to look at but that's not enough. I'd rather spend under 3000 CAD for a Sunova Driftwood. It will be even better to look at and it's a board the knows what it wants to do

Did I just heard under CAD 3,000? Including shipping?

Yup. Comes in a container to the US and will be delivered to my doorstep.

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LucBenac said..

burchas said..

LucBenac said..

burchas said..

LucBenac said..
Well I am playing at, "if I had some $4,500 CAD to burn......"
I like the sound of what you said on the new Maliko.
That said I am hoping to soon try a Sunova Torpedo 14x25.5 and that board wins on aestetics big time.....our Sunova distributor just brought in here fro a friend of mine that is a racer and part of teh Sunova team so I stand a good chance to try it (COVID aside...).

Aesthetics aside, I'm convinced the Maliko would be a better performer for the use case I described. Based on what I've seen on the Torpedo it's a "stiff" surfer and you'd really have to work the tail hard to get it do what you want. I'm sure it will be pleasing to paddle and nice to look at but that's not enough. I'd rather spend under 3000 CAD for a Sunova Driftwood. It will be even better to look at and it's a board the knows what it wants to do

Did I just heard under CAD 3,000? Including shipping?

Yup. Comes in a container to the US and will be delivered to my doorstep.

Let's see where can I find CAD3,000.......

ANd you have said Canadian Dollar not US Dollar, right!

Yes I did.

Finally seen the Torpedo in the flesh.
Hard rails all the way to about two~three feet from the nose.
Spine on the deck subsiding back of the standing area which likely gives a lot of stifness.
Light.

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Area10 said..
How much of a priority is it to you that a board is light, if it's primarily for downwinding? I'd prioritise durability and strength over weight, within reason. Sometimes it's not so great if a board will blow away easily on a beach or when you wipe out, and a heavier board seems to maintain its momentum and give a smoother ride in a strong blow.

For downwinding only, I prefer a little bit of heft, it adds to control and sometime speed, time on the bump. For an all around use including flat water and downbreezing, I prefer to stay under the 26 lbs.
I have the 2018 Maliko at 29 lbs - solid construction
I have the 2014 Javelin LE at 23 lbs - eggshell construction
If either of these had been fused into a solid construction at 25 lbs, I would only have one of these.
Then I could if needed just add a very specialized downwind board for days over 25 knots rather than having two all around boards with just a small advantage at each end of the range.

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burchas said..
For downbreezing, light is certainly a boon. The 2020 Maliko is a lot lighter and more buoyant than previous model. Much better downbreezing machine. Especially if you're doing upwind/downwind sessions.

Regretfully the 2020 Maliko is not distributed in Canada. So if looking at a brand new board listed at USD 2,800 plus shipping and customs fees would be likley something like USD 3,200 before tax. That is about CAD 4,500 before tax. the Sunova is CAD 4,000. So if buying a brand new board between upgrading my Maliko with a new model with a so-so construction, design scheme - me no like - and shipping risk.....my money would go to the Sunova thta I can pick-up on my way from work. Mr. Naish, great designs but get your board manufactured in the right factory and distributed in Canada please.