hi everyone, new to forum so be gentle 
I'm interested in buying a second hand 2017 naish maliko but do like the look of the 2018 model. So my question is what is the difference between the two, as they both seem very similar, as not seen them side by side. Thanks
Hello and welcome.. btw.. How heavy are you.. and where are you?.. I've had all three Maliko's (2016/2017/2018)..
As good as the first one was the second one was even better.. and now the third one is even better again.
I'd say defiantly go for the new 2018 version.. it's not only the fastest but more importantly it's the strongest.
Here's some pics showing the 2017 (yellow) to the 2018 (orange).
The new one has slightly more volume in the nose area.. and is slightly thicker in the tail but the biggest difference is in the bottom shape and rocker.. and even the rails.. It has a little more initial quick tip and roll than before and there is less need to have quick footwork forward and back to keep the nose trim perfect and when you do get a pearling about to happen there is slightly more resistance to going under even if at the cost of a slight sprinkling off the nose but at least its not a full boof nose.. It feels like there is a slight belly under the nose.. Also once the nose goes under it seems to rise quicker than the old shape. It also seems to surf left and right better than before once on a runner.. I'm loving mine.. 
Awesome thanks for taking the time to reply (and taking the photos)much appreciated. Yes, You can see the difference between the two noses side by side. No more hard edge at the nose? Tail looks different too, wider? Also no javelin next year any reason why?
Just a do it all board for all conditions, so no hassle which board to take, and the other questions answered in this vid. I will get mine in February 2018 (Europe).
Select to expand quoteSpecial one said..
Awesome thanks for taking the time to reply (and taking the photos)much appreciated. Yes, You can see the difference between the two noses side by side. No more hard edge at the nose? Tail looks different too, wider? Also no javelin next year any reason why?
I saw the javelin and the color combo is very similar to the maliko and me think is coming soon though I could be wrong.
Select to expand quoteForestinjersey said..
Pretty sure the Jav is discontinued now.
I could be wrong
You normally are wrong
I have waited 2 month for the new maliko 14 x24, pretty enthusuiastic about it and, honestly, i am not that satisfied... First board Board arrived crashed and naish promptly changed it. Second wasn' t crashed, but was a few scratches on bottom and top, some painting defects and a little ding on top. I didn't complain more... Transporters just dont care, couldn't we pay a few extra and have a bag with it? it could prevent some events...
The board looks great, graphics and collor are nicer in my oppinion, good glide and pretty stable for a 24, didn t feel vibrations trough little bumps with bit frontwind, although just tested it yet in flat water and some pretty small waves... Not dw yet.)
But two simple but very important nuances are really not good in this board and made me really sad: The weight and the handle...
Construction feels stiffer and stronger than ever beffore, but board is Too heavy (12.7 kg with fin - was anonouced with 10.5... 2 kg it's a lot of difference...) comparing with other boards. It?s hard for me to understand how a 244 lt board like this maliko is substancially heavier than a 294 lt 14' SIC fx, that also has a nice construction. Or how has 2,5kg more than 264Lt JP 14 raceallwater 24.5, althought it has questionable construction when it comes to durability.. Wouldn't i expect more for a leading brand like Naish in terms of an elite and competitive board? I dont feel this could be a nice choice for instance a kind of race like the BOP, or a tecnical race were you have to acelerate fast or carry your board in beach runs, unless you Casper...
But even worst than that, the handle, at least in my board, is not well balanced and when you carry the board weight is allways shifting back, so if you not carefull tail will bang the floor. This two simple things, as i said, will unrest me everysingle day i have to manage and carry the board around... Did Naish forgot to adjust the handle sweet point once they add a bit more volume back? I don't want to believe that.. Or am i a dum ass and the handle is like that for a reason, like helping you when u run with it, if u actually can grab it.... I don?t wanna be mean, but i was used to an ultra lite 14 foot with 10kg.. When i order maliko 2018, i thought "half a kilo is nota that much"...,
I thought this one would be the board that feels great and that make me stop searching for the perfect board... I'm a Naish fan for long, and although construction this last few years - since the GX's - is not that right or in weight or in stiffness, i am allways enchanted with the beautifull simple and clean outlines..
I have it for sell allreaddy, it?s not that is a bad board, but for the disapointment in this simple but pratical issues that will anoy me every day. Still searching, and hopping Naish get it right to buy a new one...
Hard luck. It sounds like you shouldn't have accepted the replacement Maliko you got, as well as the first broken one.
I would expect the Maliko to be more durable than your SIC X14. That SIC has a single layer of carbon but not much else. There will be quite a bit more in the skin of the Maliko, and that material will add weight. Having said that, 28lbs is certainly nothing special given the price of these boards.
I've seen so many boards with misplaced handles. In fact I currently own a JL Sidewinder that has the handle in the wrong place. You'd usually expect some kind of discount from the retailer for a mispositioned handle.
These build quality issues are more to do with the factory that makes them (Cobra in Thailand, presumably?) rather than Naish themselves. I've not been impressed with the quality control of Cobra-built boards. My impression is that there are quite a few boards that get sold from there that really should have been rejected by QC and never left the factory.
2018 Maliko is awesome 
- There is not Javelin any more for 2018. The new shape on the Maliko is considerably faster on the flat water, and given the entire team pretty much traveled last year only with the Maliko's and still had top results told us something.
- Thanks for posting your opinion Santa SUP (1 post, from Portugal), sorry to hear you feel the Maliko has not satisfied your expectations. Stronger boards at the cost of a little weight is what the market has been asking for. There is not magic construction that is strong, stiff and ultra-lightweight. and from the 2016 to 2017 and now Naish have been increasing the durability of their construstion, each time was at the coast of a little weight. This said, all our Naish team riders are still remaining at the pointy end of the races if not winning them, this includes our domestic team meaning that the weight is not inhibiting their ability to accelerate or top end speed. The handle is an interesting one, having the nose slightly positive helps with fast beach starts and giving the board an easier ability of be balanced by your other hand while carrying (as most will support their board with their other hand to avoid wind and other things becoming hazardous). Even carrying the board in no wind with one hand I have not noticed the board being massively off balance. With all due respect I think you may be being a little critical for your rationale as to why you do not like the Maliko for 2018. I think you will find actually paddling this board and/or racing it, you will be more than impressed.
Not asked, but for 2018 Naish Australia is also doing the Domestic Racer Program. Making the Maliko race board available to Australian racers at the awesome team rider price of $2,999.00. Check out the website for more info - www.windgenuity.com.au/domesticracerprogram.html
Get on board.
Ride safe,
JB
Never realised that Naish (or other brands for that matter) riders where using random boards just pulled out of the assembly line and at the upper end of the weight spectrum/tolerance. That makes their performance even more impressive. I always assumed that they were using ultra-light boards that would likely not complete a season not the more conservative 27 lbs range that everyday users like us have for good reasons.
I'd be disappointed too if I'd ordered a board that on the website was stated at a certain weight, then arrived at over 2kg heavier. And i've always voiced my opinion on non balanced handles. Really not acceptable when you drop several thousand on a board. If Naish wanted to target running beach starts, then they should've added BOP handles.
Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
I'd be disappointed too if I'd ordered a board that on the website was stated at a certain weight, then arrived at over 2kg heavier.
Normally, you should at least get a rebate if the board is outside the stated specs.
Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
I'd be disappointed too if I'd ordered a board that on the website was stated at a certain weight, then arrived at over 2kg heavier. And i've always voiced my opinion on non balanced handles. Really not acceptable when you drop several thousand on a board. If Naish wanted to target running beach starts, then they should've added BOP handles.
Thats it Zeusman, that's my only point. i Think it's not serious to annouce something with such a difference in weight. 2.3kg it?s a lot when you're talking about 10.5kg... it's not 2.3kg in something of 100kg. Of course something happened, that maybe naish could not control... I don?t believe they had announce that weight knowing it would be another really diferent.
I can undersatnd what NSW told about the handle, it might be a reason, but it doesn't feel right anyway. I had lots of board, a lot of them from naish, with neutral handles, and it had never troubled me in the beachraces i did and do... At least they could do a biger handle so you could ajust your hand for the function u need. And I am not an engineer...
When i order the maliko 14 x24 i order too a 12.6 x26 for my girlfriend, for her to have a friendier board for her in weight and size, to be more autonomous putting it in the car and carry it around, cause she had the glide 14 27 1/4 from 2013, which is an amazing board, but a bit big and heavy for her (about 13kg) and i had to help her all the time. So i order a smaller and lighter board, so i thought,... I'am afraid now that it will not be a big diference in weight bettween those two.. the 12'6 x26 is annouced with 10.6, more than the 10.5 announced for the 14 x24, so i am allready counting with a board with about the weight of the 14 x24. (12.7kg), not a big difference from the glide she had..
I pray that doesn't, otherways my problem with her autonomy will persist. A simple thing like this does a big diference. Tell me what u want, i can carry it anyway, but 2kg in a board for a girl, for instance, it's a big diference.
I agree Satan.
Id assume with a big guess that the Q.C wasn't done properly at the factory and that your board may have slipped through. I can't see it being intentional on Nash's part. But it still shouldn't happen.
Select to expand quoteSatanSup said..
Too heavy (12.7 kg with fin - was anonouced with 10.5... 2 kg it's a lot of difference...)
Mmm, for most manufacturers the stated specs are for the naked board: no fins, no pads.
Specs are here: www.naishsurfing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2017SUP_Board_Spec_Sheet.pdf
They actually say 10.5kg +/- 5%, so max for the raw board is 11kg
The pad may be 0.8kg max for a board this size.
A race fin is around 0.3kg
So your board is actually only around 0.6kg overweight. But it is worth contacting Naish about it, of course.
Select to expand quotecolas said..SatanSup said..
Too heavy (12.7 kg with fin - was anonouced with 10.5... 2 kg it's a lot of difference...)
Mmm, for most manufacturers the stated specs are for the naked board: no fins, no pads.
Specs are here: www.naishsurfing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2017SUP_Board_Spec_Sheet.pdf
They actually say 10.5kg +/- 5%, so max for the raw board is 11kg
The pad may be 0.8kg max for a board this size.
A race fin is around 0.3kg
So your board is actually only around 0.6kg overweight. But it is worth contacting Naish about it, of course.
Without the pad? I've never heard of that, or seen it written anywhere, and if this is the case it is tantamount to lying. A customer might just understand that the weight means finless (although most wouldn't), but few are going to guess that it means without fixtures and fittings. What next - weight quoted before handles are fitted? The pad is an integral part of the board so the quoted weight should include it. Most of my boards have been around the quoted weight with pad.
It sounds like the OP got a sold lemon, unfortunately. Simple as that. Overweight, and with misplaced handle (the "beach start defence" is just BS IMO).
Unfortunately, in my experience about 1 in 4 new SUPs have some kind of major fault like this. It seems clear that the QC in the factories is not good enough. To a certain extent the factories have been relying on the customers' lack of experience. But as the sport progresses and customers will mostly have bought boards before, this should change.
IMO if you are in doubt about a board (or paddle) when it arrives, don't accept it. Even if you've waited months for it to arrive.
It does put question marks on buying a board "sight unseen" and could make more people reluctant to pre-order new boards for the next season like it seems to be the trend now. And even worth for people that cannot have access to a distributor or a dealer and must rely on shipping. Returning a board after $300 shipping cost and months waiting is a difficult decision. there also must be a legal framework in place when you order a board that it must meet clear specifications or you can return it.
Used board on a local market are all the more attractive against this kind of issues and the justification that often come with it :-)
the other alternative are boards that are in stock with a close proximity dealer. The last board I purchased new, I ask the dealer (which I know and can rely upon) to weight the board before we hook-up for delivery. He managed to sell a board that was going to stay in stock over the winter and I got a very reasonable and reduced price. Win-win. It does limit access to boards but definitely more secure.
Just got my Maliko 14 x 24 and it feels pretty heavy, especially side by side with the 2016 model, i haven't got a 2017 handy at the moment but will at the weekend. I will also get the scales out and see what they say.
Select to expand quoteTJR said..
Just got my Maliko 14 x 24 and it feels pretty heavy, especially side by side with the 2016 model, i haven't got a 2017 handy at the moment but will at the weekend. I will also get the scales out and see what they say.
Ok you are in Europe? Hmm, got to get info from Kubus SPorts than to see if my repacement Maliko has arrived
Just weighed my new 2018 Maliko and my new 2017 Blackfish. They both arrived this week
2018 Maliko 14 x 24 with a fin in 12.7 kg
2017 Blackfish 14 x 25 with a fin 12kg
Select to expand quoteTJR said..
Just weighed my new 2018 Maliko and my new 2017 Blackfish. They both arrived this week
2018 Maliko 14 x 24 with a fin in 12.7 kg
2017 Blackfish 14 x 25 with a fin 12kg
Whoa!! Lot of money in one shipment. Enjoy.
I ended up with 2 boards sort of by accident. I wasn't expecting to get a Maliko till late February and had sold my 2017. I needed a board for the winter races and a Blackfish came up so i took it. first paddle and I'm liking it
Select to expand quoteTJR said..
Just weighed my new 2018 Maliko and my new 2017 Blackfish. They both arrived this week
2018 Maliko 14 x 24 with a fin in 12.7 kg
2017 Blackfish 14 x 25 with a fin 12kg
12.7kgs is the same weight as my 16ft x 26" custom downwind board, which is 2 layers of 6oz Carbon on bottom and rails and 2 layers of 6oz fibreglass on the deck, and so is bulletproof.
Without the fin, it would be about like my Vapor Pro-Elite or touch more . What is the construction of the Naish 2018? Two layers carbon sandwich or only one? Fused cell core or just normal foam? If true for both than it is totally worth it to have a sturdy board for down-winding.
I feel more secure having the fused cell foam on the Bark.
Not sure how to read the schematic but does not seem to be a carbon board anymore:
2017
2018
According to the guy in this vid the Maliko is full carbon + full PVC wrap. The PVC wrap might partially explain the weight. I'd rather have the PVC wrap and suffer a weight penalty, personally. In the rough and tumble of racing or downwinding you want a board that can hold its own, not crack like an eggshell as soon as someone bumps rails with you.
Probably not the first time that brochure, web site and guy on the video do not agree for a new SUP....
Select to expand quoteTJR said..
Just weighed my new 2018 Maliko and my new 2017 Blackfish. They both arrived this week
2018 Maliko 14 x 24 with a fin in 12.7 kg
2017 Blackfish 14 x 25 with a fin 12kg
That blackfish is 1kg+ heavy, you sure about this TJR?
Select to expand quoteJEG said..TJR said..
Just weighed my new 2018 Maliko and my new 2017 Blackfish. They both arrived this week
2018 Maliko 14 x 24 with a fin in 12.7 kg
2017 Blackfish 14 x 25 with a fin 12kg
That blackfish is 1kg+ heavy, you sure about this TJR?
Yup, I weighed them both twice to check and it came out with the same weight both times.
Select to expand quoteLucBenac said..
Probably not the first time that brochure, web site and guy on the video do not agree for a new SUP....
I think the only carbon is the strip along the bottom and in the name. if there was more in it then i am sure they would promote it on their page showing the construction. Being all glass now, you think the price would come down. A full carbon OC1 doesn't cost much more and the main body is lighter.
