NAISH MANO or Jimmy Lewis Striker

[Rocket66]

Can anyone give me a good review of both the NAISH 9/5 Mano vs the Jimmy Lewis Striker. I currently ride the C4 Subvector 9/3 but am looking for a better all around board. I've come down to either the NAISH or the Jimmy Lewis. I'm looking for construction, weight, price and performance comparisons. I'm 6' 2'/ 195 lbs and like dig C4 and it's short board feel until mother nature throws some wind and chop into the mix.
Thanks

[Dwight (DW)]

9'0 Naish Mana is what you should consider. Way higher performance. The 9'5 only if you want to make a lateral move, just different, more stable.

[newton333]

the naish all the way the construction is far better then any board out there.

[SUP Sports ®]

Hi Rocket66,
Just to clarify...it's the Naish Mana...Jimmy Lewis has a Mano (shark) model...different animal...

http://surfingsports.com/labels/Jimmy%20Lewis%202010%20SUP.asp

This blog post has comparison pics of the 9'5" JL Striker to the 9'5" Naish Mana...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/05/jimmy_lewis_striker.html

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/10/new-jimmy-lewis-strikers.html

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/05/new-naish-bamboo-sups.html

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/08/2010-naish-mana-sups.html

Both well made boards...the main difference is that the JL Striker can nose ride...it has a much faster rocker...back on the tail they have a similar "funboard" feel...the volume labels on both boards are way off...the 9'5" Mana has a little more float...but, both are fine for you at 195 lbs...the Naish only comes in yellow...

If you are after a more "shortboard" feel...take a look at the Coreban 9' Fusion...or, the Starboard 8'10" Wide Point...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/tag/coreban-sup

http://surfingsports.com/starboard_2011_container/brushed_carbon_hullabaloo3.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/starboard_2011_container/starboard_2011_810_wp5.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/starboard_2011_container/starboard_2011_810_wp1.jpg

http://surfingsports.com/starboard.asp

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/09/more-2011-starboard-sup-pics.html

[Rocket66]

SUPsports, thanks for the links, i'll take a look.  I am leaning towards the NAISH, just wanted to make sure first though. I rode the Jimmy and liked it but have seen some construction blemishes, deck pad peeling off, etc on my friends boards. I was looking at the NAISH 9/5 because I really need a good all around board for mushy east coast surf, that I can throw around yet let my kids hit the flat water with me when I'm on my 11 footer. Thanks again for the posts. Yes my mistake on the Mana Vs Mano..I have been looking at so many boards they are all running together. Thanks to Newton333 and DW as well.

[SUP Sports ®]

the naish all the way the construction is far better then any board out there.

We've sold thousands of SUP's...including Naish...we wouldn't describe their construction as "far better then any board out there"...they are a solid brand...the Cobra factory built Naish boards are up at the top along with a number of other brands built there...

Numbers of units sold vs. warranty issues...strength to weight ratios...performance...resale value...amongst other parameters
all go into the equation, IMO...

[SUP Sports ®]

SUPsports, thanks for the links, i'll take a look.  I am leaning towards the NAISH, just wanted to make sure first though. I rode the Jimmy and liked it but have seen some construction blemishes, deck pad peeling off, etc on my friends boards. I was looking at the NAISH 9/5 because I really need a good all around board for mushy east coast surf, that I can throw around yet let my kids hit the flat water with me when I'm on my 11 footer. Thanks again for the posts. Yes my mistake on the Mana Vs Mano..I have been looking at so many boards they are all running together. Thanks to Newton333 and DW as well.

Hi Rocket66,
I understand the "looking at so many boards" statement...be careful of paralysis by analysis...;-)

Are you talking about newer JL models?
The first couple of hundred we sold back in the day didn't have factory pads...or, even handles...
The paint jobs are greatly improved...we haven't seen any chipping on the ones we've sold here in the last year or so...and, I can't imagine that pad coming off...

Hate to do this to you...but, another board to consider factoring in kids and mushy surf...but, wanting a shortboard feel...is the Starboard 9' x 33" Hero...

[Rocket66]

SUPsports, I'll take a look at the HERO. Thanks and again appreciate the info, it is really helping. Yeah that is what I was seeing on the JL, the paint chipping off etc. My C4 Subvector is chipping like crazy as well and driving me crazy. Worth it though when the Surf starts wedging.
Thanks again.

[paddlejones]

Wardog...
How does the Joe Blair 9/7 compare?
He also has a 10/1 and a 9/11

I have been mulling over the JB 10/1 or Naish Mana 10 b/c my ability will be fine for these.
but want the blair 9/7
thanks

[newton333]

im not a sup dealer but have ridden a lot of boards and checked out many. c4 used to great but last few yrs. chip like hell and are very heavy. jimi lewis from what ive seen also chips heavy, they have good pads but the pads seem very heavy as well.  starboards are great  they chip but not to bad and are really light and many to chose from naish to me does not chip barley at all boards are relatively light and surf amazing.  they are all good top quality boards but most naishes u get a bag as well which is very nice and helps the environment.

[Easy Rider]

One thing I always tell customers is that there second board will chip less than their first - - and their third will chip even less than their second . . . etc.

As a person becomes better they tend to hit the board less with their paddle - hence less chipping.

Just my 2¢

[jd]

Customs chip even less.

[SUP Sports ®]

Wardog...
How does the Joe Blair 9/7 compare?
He also has a 10/1 and a 9/11

I have been mulling over the JB 10/1 or Naish Mana 10 b/c my ability will be fine for these.
but want the blair 9/7
thanks

Hi paddlejones,
I worked with Blair for a couple of years developing what became the 10'1" , 9'11" & 9'7"...we did a couple of dozen customs before the production versions came along...

http://surfingsports.com/blair_sups_compare/index.html
http://surfingsports.com/blair_standup_quadrophenia/index.html
http://surfingsports.com/blair_sups/index.html
http://surfingsports.com/blair_sup/index.html

http://surfingsports.com/2009/12/new-blair-sups.asp

They are stable, good surfing boards...I personally like the quad option better than the 2 plus one...

I'm into constant evolution of shapes...so I have been working on a new 9'7" with Art Colyer called the "Stoke"...good name, huh?...;-)

Just had the latest iteration come out of the shaping bay yesterday...quad plus 1 fin setup...it will be glassed with carbon and I should have it in a couple of weeks...

[paddlejones]

Thanks Wardog,
I'll look forward to seeing your's and Art's next colaberation.
Might this one be another in the future wide point range?