Prone ML 45 Litre Feedback

Taking advantage of a break in the crappy winter weather, I spent five hours across three prone sessions riding the ML 45-liter board. Although conditions were still not ideal, previous storm driven wobbly swell, they were good enough to put this unique board to the test. Having experience with all the Armstrong prone boards-including the North Swell, Amos, other brands, and for past year the 4'4" FG wing surf board, I was eager to see how the ML 45-liter would perform.

From the outset, it was clear this board offers something special. At 17 inches wide, it's relatively narrow for a prone board tackling unpredictable swells mixed with some weed and sand pockets stirred up from the reef ledges. However, by the second session, I had adjusted. True to its design objectives, it catches waves I had no business getting. As my mate on a conventional prone board with me showed.

The board accelerates like a missile and my wave count went through the roof. Also It strikes a great balance between gliding atop the water and yet submerged enough to prevent wobbly corking. The take-off required some adjustment due to the narrow width and rapid acceleration-you find yourself needing and able to get to your feet much earlier, Turning is quick and highly responsive; initially, I was over doing it but quickly adapted.

There was no noticeable loss in pumping ability; in fact, the narrow width seems to channel your energy straight down the mast with zero yaw, enhancing efficiency. The volume distribution, mast track position, and outline make it resemble a short board up front. It even duck dives reasonably well for its size. The evenly curved chimes and the overall width made the stability during pop-up a bit challenging at first, but this was dialled in by the second session. Also the rail grip is less pronounced compared to the 4'4" and other prone boards I've used, so some adjustment needed - but that's just my semi autistic nature of disliking change lol!

Considering this performance, I can only imagine some of these design parameters will incorporate into Armstrong's new prone boards, which I assume must be on the horizon. I paired the board with my chopped 180 foil, which once again rocked so I'm also eager to see what the real Armstrong foil developers put into the new small surf tails. This tail was really just an experiment in proof of design and there's something in it I can tell you! I also can see this board will serve excellently as a semi-sinker wing board due to its shape and volume distribution as some have already shown. I can also see why crew are raving about the 55L and 65L versions as great multi use boards - easy start, rail to rail carving.

Bottom line: the ML 45-liter makes a great (and unique) prone board for those looking to increase their wave count without sacrificing performance on the wave, including pumping and linking capabilities

. - Rider Weight: 74kg- Foil Setup: 880 front wing with chopped 180 tail (with 205 surf tail outline tips)- Shim: Red- Mast: 795mmI I have chosen not to capture footage out of respect for local surfers and foilers.

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kobo said..
Great detailed review, I'm thinking of getting same board or 55 as a bigger wave paddle in board and also just to make life easier and up my wave count. Are there any downsides compared to the FG prone boards you can think of ?

Well it's not as stable in whitewater - for your pop up - because its shape is what makes it accelerate quickly. And there's nothing like ripping on a smaller length board. It's all relative with certain compromises. It will def get you in sooner. The waves i was trying it were not small by any measure to - also it's an outer reef break 2-300m off shore . gets all the swell and water moving at you. It wasn't the ideal spot to test this board that's for sure.

But ultimately not sure i can't really extrapolate from my experience to your question unless i tried probs the 55/65 proning to be honest with you. But yeh it would work a lot bette than a traditional prone shape that's certain.

35-40l normally.

finnaly some spring easterly swell and the last word on this so Last word on this but just had an epic session - 3 minute 8 wave link up on the ML plus more waves than i could count - was totally cooked after an hour and a half. It's not often i get blown away by some new gear - even the new HA i missed some of the old HA characterics - but this ML is a seriously worthwhile game changer for someone whose objective is to catch waves more easily and still be able to pump and link at will.

finnaly some spring easterly swell - Last word on this but just had an epic prone session - 3 minute 8 wave link up on the ML plus more waves than i could count - was totally cooked after an hour and a half. It's not often i get blown away by some new gear - even the new HA i missed some of the old HA characterics - but this ML is a seriously worthwhile game changer for someone whose objective is to catch waves more easily and still be able to pump and link at will.

Any tips on sizing one of these for prone? I'm 92kgs and have a 4'6 Rubix (40L) but want something that catches waves a little easier.

I'm contemplating the 45L vs the 55L? Not sure how much of the efficiency is length/narrow shape vs volume for getting in earlier (particularly when the waves are a touch bigger / faster moving).

Thanks Eppo. I messaged Jeremy Wilmotte and he had similar advice. He prefers the 38L ML for prone but sometimes uses the 55L which doubles as a wing board. Of course he's a pro level rider...

I'm leaning towards the 45L which should be enough for my prone needs, but not sure I'll be able to wing it. Trying to find a demo of one size or the other before making a call...