Mission 144 as a light wind board?

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I'm trying to get my quiver of boards squared away before the start of the season and trying to fill the light wind spot. I really don't want to go with a glide unless I have to because they are not all that versitile - you can pretty much only use them on flat water.

I was looking for a board that had a little bit more versitility but could still be used in lighter wind conditions and possibly at Sauvie's.

Anyone use a Liquid Force Mission 144 for their light wind board? I'm 190 pounds - would this work for me? Even at Sauvie's?

Mark · Thu Apr 24, 08 8:48 am

Look into a surfboard. Great for light winds.

The Glide isnt just for super light winds... I speed rode one to over 34mph! They work well in chop up to 6"

I also hear great things about the 145.5 haze. very wide but with enough rocker to go thru the chop.
http://www.naishkites.com/en/products/haze.html

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

What's the width and rocker like?

forrest · Thu Apr 24, 08 8:53 am

The mission 144 is a larger board and will do better in light wind but, Nothing beats a glide. The glide is the session saver and is actually pretty damn fun to ride. You can always ride outside of the foot straps. The width, length, shape, and completely smooth bottom is what makes the glide ideal.

In my opinion, surfboards don't work well cause they move a lot of water, skimboards don't always work well cause they don't have enough surface area and most of them flex to much when you're trying to water start.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I didn't get to try it but a few of the guys rode a Liquid Force WLF board in SPI. Its as long as the glide and even a little wider in the middle.

Its more tapered shape and slightly more rocker made it a more fun board to ride than Glide, but the Glide still had a bit more low end (for the same reasons most likely.) I know some people hate the glide for riding and it does suck in chop, so the WLF might be a good option.

Nak · Thu Apr 24, 08 9:02 am

Right now my only board in Kailua is a Glide... While not ideal in heavy chop, it certainly is rideable! Kailua bay can be pretty choppy. I've also ridden a Glide at Jones in some pretty heavy chop. Again, not ideal, but pretty versatile if it's your only choice for whatever reason. There are lots of great lightwind boards out there, the Glide is certainly one of the best. It fits in a NSI Deceiver as well, which is mission critical to me! Very Happy

Pepi · Thu Apr 24, 08 9:09 am

I'm about 205-210lbs and rode the Mission 144 a lot last year. It had decent low-wind range, but I definitely would not compare it to a Glide or any other lightwind specific board (it just doesn't compare). The Mission 144 has a bit too much rocker for efficient lightwind riding. It ideally is designed as either a big guy board or wakestyle board for less strong of wind riding (not superlight wind).

I'm riding the WLF140 this year. As Phil has mentioned, this board is similar to the Glide, but a tad bit more rocker and a rounder outline for making the board more fun to ride in lightwind conditons. Check out the photos of Tekko riding in SPI (at 230+lbs) riding with PDX crew who are lighter then him by 40-50lbs and riding on Glides. That fact totally sold me on the WLF.

We'll have a demo available to ride within the next week at 2nd Wind when the rest of our LF shipment comes in.

Pepi

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, the WLF is a sweet lightwind board. I rode the huge Spleene Door at SPI last November and was just schlogging back and forth. Then I took the WLF for a spin and stayed upwind as well, but was able to throw a few Raley's here and there. Definitely a good light wind option if you want to have some fun. Perfect for working on your wakestyle without fear of strong winds.

Also, a stiff skimboard could work pretty well and can be lots of fun to ride.

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 264 Posts Obsessed

One board I've read a lot about, but haven't seen much around here is the ocean rodeo Mako. There are two 150 cm versions. The wide version they say has a huge range and is great for chop and waves. I'm not super sure about light wind for it, but I'm guessing that at 150cm, it probably ought to be pretty good. From what i've read, its very unique because of its goofy shape. It only has 2 fins (one on either tip), and a concave bottom.

windance has them, but not for demo (at least as of a couple weeks ago). Although the owner said something about a money back guarantee if you don't like what you bought. Since this is the gorge with all sorts of gear available, I'm personally more inclined to demo stuff before I buy it, if at all possible.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Tony demoed one of those in SPI in November. I don't think he was quite willing to buy it afterwards (to put it nicely), but I'll let him chime in. It seems that the narrowness would make it less ideal for light wind as well, but I don't know how wide the wide version is. Try before you buy is definitely a good policy.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Mark · Thu Apr 24, 08 1:01 pm

Swapping fins can make a HUGE difference as well. Smaller for a "slidey" feel. Bigger for more tracking and pop.

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Terremoto
We have the WLF, and the Glide instock let me know which one you want to demo and I'll set it up. Demo $25 subtracted from purchase price.
Bob

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

All very good input.

I will say it's really a combo of all of these things.

Light-wind kiting is kinda an art by itself...Always keeping tension between you and the kite and choosing your tacks accordingly can be a big help also.(reading gusts-puffs, etc)

Some guys will need a 13M and above to stay powered in uber-light conditions...
Then there are the ones who can ride a 11m and skim-surf or glide and be fine...

I rode a 11m 07' Waroo last year as my lightwind kite. I just had to use my surfboard or a skim. But keep in mind I was strapless so boosting was not my focus. Just riding strapless,jibing, surface tricks, etc. and staying upwind was.

Skimboard- you need a larger one and it helps if they aren't the cheapy ones that eventually bend which makes a rocker. The super hard-stiff ones can be super efficient and tons of fun.

Surboard- take the straps off and use your mobility to find the sweet spot. Forrest is right, but you can make a surfboard super efficient if you walk around when you get power to find the sweet spot to create the least amount of drag.

I used to have a glide but sold it. It's really fun and totally a session saver, but if you get the strapless skim or surf dialed, you dont' really need it. Unless you want to boost and do wakestyle stuff. I would think the WLF being more aggressive shaped like it is would be more fun also.

BTW-I was on my 136 Recoil in Padre on my 11m when guys were on twin-tips and 14-17m kites walking upwind. The width helps a lot.!!!

Nak · Thu Apr 24, 08 2:20 pm

Martin, I usually have my Glide with me. If you want to try it sometime, just ask if you see me. It takes a bit of riding to get used to the zero rocker. At least it did for me. I pearled it a lot before I got the hang of it.

One of the things that's nice about it, and other LW boards I'm guessing, is how SLOW you can go if you want to. It's pretty cool to slow to a crawl in very clear waters and just look at everything. Almost like snorkeling! Very Happy

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

nak and Gorge Bob - hey totally appreciate the offer for the demo. I'm definately going to have to demo some boards before I decide on which way to go. Looking forward to it though!

Again - thanks for all the input and the offers!!