Author Topic: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle  (Read 551250 times)

Luc Benac

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1650 on: March 08, 2018, 10:09:20 PM »
I use the Mana 82 with a displacement race board and find it faster. Clean technique, higher cadence.
On my UL or in choppy waters I like the Mana 90, probably because the technique is not as clean and I get more from the 90.
If there was a Mana 86, I would likely buy it right away.
I am 6' and 170.
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805StandUp

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1651 on: March 09, 2018, 04:46:10 PM »
Thanks, Luc and Lane!  Over time, as my stroke has changed I found that I like my 84 Konihi over the Maliko so am leaning towards the 82--from Lane's comments it sounds like the additional catch of the Mana 90 makes it feel similar size to the 95 sq. inch Maliko rather than smaller.  I haven't taken my raceboard out in a while as I have mostly been surfing but next time I do I will pay attention to how I feel about the Maliko to see if it validate this initial opinion or decide if I might consider the 90.

burchas

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1652 on: March 10, 2018, 07:15:40 PM »
If there was a Mana 86, I would likely buy it right away. I am 6' and 170.

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in progress...

PonoBill

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1653 on: March 10, 2018, 09:08:02 PM »
Mana's insist that you push the paddle down as you stroke. If you do that, the 82 catches like a 90 and the 90 catches like it's stuck in concrete. I used my 90 on a blustery downwinder today. In the fast sections, it was just right, when the wind lightened it was too much.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

805StandUp

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1654 on: March 11, 2018, 01:58:09 PM »
Mana's insist that you push the paddle down as you stroke. If you do that, the 82 catches like a 90 and the 90 catches like it's stuck in concrete. I used my 90 on a blustery downwinder today. In the fast sections, it was just right, when the wind lightened it was too much.

Thanks, Bill.  I think that you validated that the 82 is the right one for me unless Lane decides to make an 86 like Luc and others suggest.

Luc Benac

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1655 on: March 11, 2018, 03:00:57 PM »
Mana's insist that you push the paddle down as you stroke. If you do that, the 82 catches like a 90 and the 90 catches like it's stuck in concrete. I used my 90 on a blustery downwinder today. In the fast sections, it was just right, when the wind lightened it was too much.

Thanks, Bill.  I think that you validated that the 82 is the right one for me unless Lane decides to make an 86 like Luc and others suggest.
The 86 would be about perfect as it can get.
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
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mrbig

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1656 on: March 11, 2018, 03:54:11 PM »
Am a little smaller than many of you. I use the Mana 82 with the Xtuf(S) and have gone pretty fast on my 404 Go-Go.

Many of you want to see an 86; I WANT a tiny one as a surf paddle to replace my antique Wiki. Have two Ho'olua blades that I do not like at all.
Let it come to you..
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PonoBill

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1657 on: March 11, 2018, 07:14:21 PM »
The Wiki is a hard act to follow. For a smaller person or anyone with a high cadence and a disciplined stroke, it's very fast. You just can't miss a stroke or start picking daisies and not paying attention or it catches like a swizzle stick
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Rideordie

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1658 on: March 11, 2018, 09:13:08 PM »
I have a Mana 90 and it has been my fastest paddle for racing. I never thought that I would leave my Konihi 95 in the rack. I would also buy a Nana 86, if Lane is listening!! 
2021 SIC RS 14 x 24.5
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805StandUp

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1659 on: June 01, 2018, 04:47:11 PM »
I have read the other threads on the Mana, but since this thread has been revived will ask my question here... Am thinking of changing the Maliko blade that I have on one of my paddles to a Mana and am torn between the 90 and 82.  I love my Konihi 84 and use it as my goto paddle in the surf but since I have been cutting this paddle down I probably need to have another paddle for when I take my raceboard out downwind/flatwater.  Is the thinking still that the 90 is better for downwinding and 82 better for flat or have you found that the 82 is now optimal in all conditions after more use?  I am 5'7.5 and weigh 185lbs.

Quick update.  Thanks to the sound advice from Lane, Luc and Bill I bought the Mana 82.  Happened in a roundabout way in that I broke my XTuf(s) shaft while practicing foiling--must have hit the rail hard when I went down because as I went for my next wave the shaft broke in two.  Thanks to Lane's forever policy, I bought a replacement shaft at a reasonable cost and figured I would take the opportunity to pick up the Mana 82 blade. 

Had one surf session with the Mana (on an XTuf shaft) and have to say I love it!  For surfing (and I suspect downwind) I think it is better than the Konihi.  I need to get more experience with it, but is it possible that has more power and has an easier entry into the water and is easier on the shoulders all at the same time!?!? I am kind of at a loss for words.  On a different note, I have no regrets with going with the 82 over the 90.


LM

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1660 on: June 02, 2018, 03:51:57 AM »
Glad you're liking your Mana & good to see this thread get a little bump :)

I've really been happy with all the reviews the Mana has received over the past couple years & with it's performance in general. I'll never forget when I stuck it into the water for the first time, I knew it was something special & it hasn't disappointed.

gone_foiling

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1661 on: June 03, 2018, 01:40:44 PM »
Yep I have two now:) Manas are truly awesome. I have been putting quite a few miles lately (gotta get my ass ready for this year M2M) and been using 90 for my flat water 10+ miles outings. Truly remarkable - lower cadence and great average speed so less stress on my cardiovascular system.
Addicted to foiling at the moment.
My shenanigans on insta @gone_foiling

SUS4Life

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1662 on: October 10, 2022, 09:35:03 AM »
After 10 year of using the same shaft, it finally broke when I was sup foil yesterday.  I might try to fix it with a wooden dowel and CF wrap it for a back up paddle.  I have another kenalu shaft that I will transfer the blade and handle.  I love the hot glue setup, if it was epoxy flue on, i will have to destroy shaft to get it out.  Also my shoulder have been pain free since I switch to it.  Thanks again for Ponobill and Lane for this amazing products and 10 more years.

Beasho

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Re: review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle
« Reply #1663 on: October 10, 2022, 10:36:37 AM »
Yes you can fix it.  Wood dowels are very heavy and unnecessary.

Here is a repair thread I posted several years ago.  I used a plug of EPS foam.  You could do this, I would do it with Gorilla glue if I repeated this.

BUT PonoBill had a better recommendation that was to use a plug made of ~5" of Carbon shaft.  Cut a slit down the middle lengthwise, so that the shaft can be compressed by the width of the saw blade.  Then squeeze the 5" shaft into the 2 ends of the broken paddle, make sure it all lines up, then gorilla glue it together.  Let dry.

At this point you have what feels solid, but would surely break under load.  You can then go to work adding layers of external Carbon.  All the load will be carried by these external layers.  The plug is only there to hold the shaft together while you are working on the repair.

See this:
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,27353.0.html

 


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