They arrived last week, were unpacked on the weekend and I picked them up on Monday.
Absolutely beautiful they are - here's some photo's and video of them both which I've whacked together as there is very little info available on either board online.
Hey Surfanimals, great review, just wondering which one of the two boards do you think has the best glide? Just wanting to know as the bark seems to have a more race kayak nose running into a flatter bottom, where as the Mitcho board seems to have a pointy nose (not the exact same as a kayak) running into a double concave.
Cheers
Hi mate, I had the Fanatic but had construction issues with it.
(Evidentially it snapped after it went back).
The Bark is similar to the Fanatic but a little sleaker. It is fast but I'd have to say the Lahui Kai had better glide and feels like to mows across the water surface rather than 'in' the water like the Bark.
The Lahui Kai picked up the smallest of runners to the point of picking up runners the 17' Naish Glide would not of had a hope of - that was impressive.
Thanks guys.
I'd really rather keep this post positive about these two boards and not be negative about the other.
What I will say is that I bought the 12'6 Fanatic and LOVED it.....I posted a reveiw on here a couple months back with photo's.
It had a blemish on the bottom which I noticed after first session which I felt was a small crease. I was told it was fine and a 'join' in the construction.
It didn't sit well with me being a $2,395.00 board so I traded it in at a small loss and it was re-sold and subsequently snapped on a 1 foot shorey coming in from a paddle.......at the 'join' on the bottom.
A mate also had the carbon model (as mine was) and after 3 sessions his grip lifted and bubbled. I wouldn't be happy in either case although I'm sure others having nothing but positive stories about them.
As for these two boards (Lahui Kai & Bark)....they are brilliant and around the $2,350.00 mark each.
I've heard different things about hollow construction. 2 that stick in my mind are "heavier" and "tippy".. Is this really the case?
I've only ridden the surftech one so can't compare buts it's not tippy at all...compared to the Naish Glide 14' for example it's as stable as a house and the weight is similar to the 12'6 Fanatic and not heavy by any means.
I rate the Surftech Lahui Kai extremely high. I'm sure the Orca and other materials used locally are unreal too, just not had the chance to see them in person or ride one.
I've had my orca 14 for about 2 weeks now. The hollow construction does feel significantly different underfoot. It's pretty tippy, certainly much tippier than a glide 14. Goes like a rocket though, I did a short downwinder on it yesterday and was catching runners at will. I'm pretty happy with the weight, doesn't feel heavy at all. 90kg here
Not sure if I missed where it is hiding but does the Lahui Kai have a legrope plug somewhere?
I imagine the glued or resined on leggie loop would do the trick?
SurfAnimals - get yourself a course, and a stop watch, and give us the Time Results. No turns. Just a straight flat course.
I can see myself on The Mitcho! Looks good. Let me test one!!
ok peeps,
Im looking at buying one of these 2 boards. Im doing my head in about making the right decision. Ive decided to stick with the 12.6. i am on the beginner side of the sport so am a little concerned about stability. My head says Bark but my heart says Mitcho. I want to do downwinders and other flatwater races.
Any advice??