Jeremy's MALIKO 14

[PonoBill]

I think that would only happen once. 

On the calmest day it's no place for beginners. I consider my capabilities to be the minimum for a run, and on my first run I'd have to say I had no business out there. I don't know if anyone can really prepare for a winter Maliko run, but a couple of years of general SUP experience, or perhaps six months of intense experience and good conditioning is probably minimal. Being twenty and immortal vs. 62 would probably also help. And still there's going to be times that you're pretty damned scared.

After nine Maliko runs, a fair number of races, lots of up-and-back north shore downwinders, and countless south side runs, I'm probably not a complete pain-in-the-ass for everyone else, but I'm still usually the last person to the beach.

[warped]

Threads like these REALLY make me wish I had more space to store downwind boards.  As it is, my F18 BARELY fits in it's storage space.  So for now, it'll just be that board and my 3 surfing sup boards.  If I can find space, I'm definitely going to be ordering an F14 or a Foote 14.  Reading all these reviews and raves about these particular boards makes me want to go build a huge shed in my backyard.

[PonoBill]

too true. Take a look at Bob's (stoneaxe's) new animotos of the F16's and remember--these things DO NOT HAVE MOTORS!! It looks like they are surfing in a head high break, which in many ways they are. It's just that the ride is nine miles long. Actually they look more like wave runners to me.

If that doesn't make your wallet get all hot and sweaty I don't know what will.

http://newenglandsup.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/more-animoto-downwinder-stoke/

sometime real soon someone is going to break the 10MPH average speed for a Maliko run, and I believe that next winter we'll be wondering why we ever thought 10 MPH average was such a big deal.

I think the most interesting thing about these SIC pictures is that there are a tremendous number of them, and they were all shot during a single half hour helicopter session--no waiting for the prefect picture or the best conditions, just shoot and shoot. In every picture the boards are just rocking. F14, F16 Mk I and Mk II, F18 and Ku Nalu

I'm absolutely certain that there are places that can make Maliko look slow. I'm thinking the Gorge this summer on a honking day with the wind from the west to shove the swells up into roller bumps, or in the fall on a east wind day, ripping from Hood River to Rooster Rock in 40 knot winds. Yeeow. Give the kitesurfers something besides barges to look out for.

Cannon Beach to Manzanita, Manzanita to Nehalem Bay or maybe Pacific City.

[SchUP]

I think that would only happen once. 

On the calmest day it's no place for beginners. I consider my capabilities to be the minimum for a run, and on my first run I'd have to say I had no business out there. I don't know if anyone can really prepare for a winter Maliko run, but a couple of years of general SUP experience, or perhaps six months of intense experience and good conditioning is probably minimal. Being twenty and immortal vs. 62 would probably also help. And still there's going to be times that you're pretty damned scared.

After nine Maliko runs, a fair number of races, lots of up-and-back north shore downwinders, and countless south side runs, I'm probably not a complete pain-in-the-ass for everyone else, but I'm still usually the last person to the beach.

I agree with Bill -- I went for my first time on Friday, had no right being out there, and I don't think l'll be going again until I get into game shape.   I stayed on my line, but not on my board, and I was closer to 2.5hr than 2hr...  should've brought a fishing pole to save some face.   Anyway, those were mild to good conditions, but that's still talking head high wind swells and pop-up reefs that want to eat your face. 

I think the reason the volcano bike ride had been successful is that everyone has ridden a bike (and thinks they still can).  I think Maliko would scare the eff out of most reasonably sane people after about 10 yards out of the mouth.  I guess as long as the waiver is signed and the money is paid by then...

[noa]

i was taken a little too litteraly when comparing with the Haleakala downhill. of course there is no way some randon Joe would be taken for the Maliko run.
having said that, downwinding is going to become a fairly popular aspect of our sport. and this outside of Maui too. the Maliko run is going to gain in fame through sup media. then you potentially get people comming to Maui to experience this myth of a run with only minimal experience in whatever conditions they downwind in. 

[LaPerouseBay]

On the subject of getting worked on a maliko run:

On today's run, a NW swell was building.  At a potential danger zone, Randy and Randy decided to wait and check up on the other paddlers.  As I approached them (then followed) they went out, out, out - much further than I would have.

I had a great time, very pleasant run.

Things could have been very, very different.   

       

[PonoBill]

Wow, there was wind? Looked really light from the house.

[LaPerouseBay]

^Wind and windswell were less than ideal.  Around Paia (?), a light shower zoomed over, eliminating my view of shore.  I fantasized paddling between Oahu and Kauai.  Somehow, the sun was beaming down, yet it was white all around, very beautiful.  Unwittingly, I was gradually drifting toward kanaha.  Up ahead in the mist, Randy and Randy were waiting, and steered me out.  Good thing too, a visit to Jill in the ER was just around the corner.  Very fun paddle, I really love the variety out there.  I gotta be more careful with the daydreaming.

[Tom]

I think that would only happen once. 

On the calmest day it's no place for beginners. I consider my capabilities to be the minimum for a run, and on my first run I'd have to say I had no business out there. I don't know if anyone can really prepare for a winter Maliko run, but a couple of years of general SUP experience, or perhaps six months of intense experience and good conditioning is probably minimal. Being twenty and immortal vs. 62 would probably also help. And still there's going to be times that you're pretty damned scared.

After nine Maliko runs, a fair number of races, lots of up-and-back north shore downwinders, and countless south side runs, I'm probably not a complete pain-in-the-ass for everyone else, but I'm still usually the last person to the beach.

I'm not sure a Haliakila Bike ride type business could be run for doing the Maliko run, but I'm sure there is a business opportunity there somewhere for someone. I'm sure there are other zoners like me that enjoy reading the exploits of you guys that are doing the run and we're pretty envious of all the fun you're having. I would like to try it, or something like it, when I come to Maui, but would definitely need some hand holding.

If  I come to Maui, I wouldn't have the right board, wouldn't know when and how to do it, wouldn't know what conditions were right and which conditions would be suicidal, and I wouldn't be able to arrange the drop off/ pick up logistics.  I'd of course hit up some of you up for advice, but that isn't available for most people. 

[PonoBill]

^Wind and windswell were less than ideal.  Around Paia (?), a light shower zoomed over, eliminating my view of shore.  I fantasized paddling between Oahu and Kauai.  Somehow, the sun was beaming down, yet it was white all around, very beautiful.  Unwittingly, I was gradually drifting toward kanaha.  Up ahead in the mist, Randy and Randy were waiting, and steered me out.  Good thing too, a visit to Jill in the ER was just around the corner.  Very fun paddle, I really love the variety out there.  I gotta be more careful with the daydreaming.

Been there, done that, lost my T shirt.

[PonoBill]

I'm not sure a Haliakila Bike ride type business could be run for doing the Maliko run, but I'm sure there is a business opportunity there somewhere for someone.

I suspect there might be too, but you'd need one hefty liability waiver. On the other hand we were all hanging out at Maliko the other day daydreaming about a bar and grille there. With perhaps board storage, and maybe a porter to get you over the stream without having your board blow away.

If this were Mexico there would be a funky bar there faster than you can say "little bottles of Corona in a galvanized bucket".

If it were Florida there would be a deck out over the rocks at the entrance and a dozen different frozen drink makers spinning.

If it were California the coastal commission would be closing it to cars at the same time that the highway department was trying to pave it.

If it was Oregon there would be one person using it, and he'd be trying to keep everyone else out.

If it was Green Bay Wisconsin it would be snowing.

But here in Maui it's gonna be just us folks with a beer cooler sometimes.

Not so bad. And of course the fact that every so often giant swells come through the mouth and scour out the gulch might limit buildability.

[goomba271]

Hi Bill Foote -

I truly admire your skills as a designer/builder.  The cored out sandwich downwinder really sparked my interest as does this one.  Although I'm just a backyard hobbyist, I really scour the different websites in an effort to keep up with what's going on with new tech.

So... if I may, the board pictured has the bamboo stomp reinforcement, carbon rail/deck, plus a center carbon strip?  Would you mind telling us how far the center strip extends over the rail/deck strips?  How far under does the underside overlap extend?  The edges of the bamboo and rail/deck strips are visible through the bag but I was just curious about the center strip and overlaps.

Thanks!

[footemaui]

The center strip was 10'' and the rail bands were 12'', making about a 3'' lap on the bottom....

[Dwight (DW)]

In the 70's we used to squegee on the hot coat on the deck, brush the rails, and sand and gloss the rails. This gave a weave texture on the deck.. I think you should go for it and let us know the results...

Bill,

I took your advice and the weight came out 22.5 lbs. My previous board weighed 27 lbs. I did pay a price for pushing the limits. I had more than a dozen sand throughs to patch. On the 27 pounder, I didn't have any sand throughs. If I had professional skills, I'd probably only have one or two sand throughs. It was well worth the extra effort.

My 22.5 lb board lamination schedule was:

Bottom- 1 layer 6 oz E, 1 layer 6 oz carbon. Both layers lapping rail.

Top - 1 layer 6 oz S, 1 layer 6 oz carbon covering 90% of deck, 1 layer 6 oz E lapping rail.

Board is 14 ft x 27 1/4 wide x 4 3/4 thick.

[stoneaxe]

Dwight...I'm really hoping to get down there for Chris's race (Onslow Bay Challenge) in part so I can see your boards. They look great! Your skills look pretty sick to me bud!

Bill...unfortunately i can't swing getting a board from you and shipping it here or I would. I'm going to follow in Dwight's footsteps and try my hand at building a board this summer. I hope to make it as close to the board you made for Randy as possible.