Windsurfing Magazine

kristin
2006-09-27 14:00:00 | 428 views | 0 Comments

Exocet Kona Mahalo Test Sessions
Test date: 9/18
Location: Merritt Island, Florida
Wind: 8-16 mph
Water conditions: Moderate wind chop
Tester: Eddy Patricelli
Weight: 180 lbs.
Tandem partners: Tony Kardol, Alex Stankie

Exocet Kona Mahalo
Volume: 295 liters
Width: 75 cm
Length: 380 cm
Weight: 38.5 lbs.
Centerboard: 75 cm
Fin box/fin: Power box/Surf Style 56 cm
exocet-original.com

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Impressions at a glance
• If it weren't for the gargantuan Starboard Gemini tandem board nearby, the Kona Mahalo would be the biggest board on the beach. There's no hiding 295 liters.

• Three mast tracks line the deck. The front and back mast tracks are labeled “Tandem”; the middle one is labeled “Solo.” Apparently, the Kona Mahalo isn't just for tandem sailing. In fact, I just now learned at exocet-original.com that Exocet bills the Kona Mahalo first and foremost as a light-air cruising board for plus-size (up to 390-pound) sailors to use without a partner.

Exocet's Kona Mahalo (left) and it's little brother, the Kona Style.

• The EVA deck wraps around the rails, which are rounded. The step tail and surfboard-like outline appear consistent with Exocet's popular Kona board.

 

 

 

 Session 1
• I've partnered with Vela's Tony Kardol. We're both around 180 lbs. Tony grabs a 9.0, I take an 8.5. I'm on front.

• We beach start, and it's immediately clear adjustments are needed. The board's nose is pearling. I step back on the board, but its trim isn't ideal. We hop off and move our mast tracks back.

• Things improve, somewhat. We're sailing more comfortably, but have the feeling our combined weights and the jumbo-size sails we're using are a bit much for the rather short nose of the Kona, which requires active trimming to keep above water in sub-planing winds.

• With the centerboard down, the Kona Mahalo is tracking upwind rather well. In a gust, we kick the centerboard up and try to pump onto a plane. The result is comical. Pumping requires a synchronized effort. Tony and I need practice. Both of us question whether we'd fare better if paired with our wives.

• Without sufficient winds for planing, we kick the centerboard back down and cruise. Our board speed is faster than most surrounding sailors' — notable exceptions being riders using the Starboard Serenity and the Exocet Warp-X 380.

Session 2
• Lightweight Alex Stankie joins me. I take a 9.0; he takes a 7.5. The wind is stronger. This time I'm on the back.

• The nose still wants to dive in lulls and when the centerboard is down. Both of us step back on the board, which helps. So does kicking the centerboard up, bearing away and gaining speed.

• In a gust, at full speed, the nose rides high and free. The speed sensation is great, though a bit scary. Steering clear of surrounding sailors is a joint effort, and doesn't happen quickly. Thankfully, our lack of control is rather obvious. Nearby sailors scatter.

• With a clear path ahead and plenty of wind powering us, both Alex and I are remarkably comfortable. Itt's a rare experience to be able to talk with someone while at full speed. It's a big reminder of how much windsurfing is a solo sport.

Turning around
• Tandem tacking the Kona Mahalo was tough. There isn't a lot of volume on the nose. Quick feet are a must for the front sailor.
 
• The rather large sails used in both sessions didn't help in transitions. In the tacks, the front sailor has to clear the sail's clew around the back rider's mast. In the jibes, the back sailor must flip the sail's clew high to prevent clocking the front rider in the head. Of course, working out all these bugs is half the fun, though it's safest to do so in lighter winds.

• Slow-speed jibes were rather easy. Tony and I were 4-4. Alex and I were 0-3 on full-speed planing jibes, and learned that using two rather large sails has a jibing caveat – they can collide and do damage to one another. A hole in Alex's sail ended our session early.

Conclusions
To be sure, I wasn't aware that the Kona Mahalo was primarily a light-wind solo cruising board for plus-size sailors until after these test sessions. The tandem component of the board is simply an option, but not necessarily its focus.
      Nevertheless, tandem sailing is a cool option to have, but a rather tough one to review objectively. There aren't many tandem models out there for comparison. Starboard's Gemini would appear to be its closest rival, but the Gemini is tremendously wider, and seems more of a dedicated tandem board. The Kona Mahalo's solo cruising design premise doesn't lend itself to a perfect apples-to-apples matchup.  
      That said, the Kona Mahalo will challenge tandem sailors more than Starboard's Gemini. Its relatively narrow-outline, lower-volume design requires teamwork, fast feet and practice. I also felt the Kona Mahalo offered better light-air cruising speeds than the Gemini, and its smaller outline seems far more suitable for transport and stowing. On the flip side, it may take the Kona Mahalo more wind to get fully planing than the Gemini, which offers a larger, wider outline for handling a pair of jumbo-size sails.
      In regard to whom the Kona Mahalo best suits, it's a great fit for families with plus-size parents. Mom or Dad can take the board solo cruising and progress their skills through a broad wind range. The tandem option is a perfect way to get the kids (or any-age lightweights) on board when they're ready.
      I must stress what a great option this is. Ask any veteran instructor what type of board hooks kids the fastest and most will answer tandem boards. There's just no substitute to being on board with someone as they learn – especially if it's a child. There's no fear, no chance of getting separated and no need for overwhelming instructions. Kids can watch you and do it, minus any words. Plus, you can use your sail to help provide them with speed sensations that, without a tandem board, would take years of practice for them to experience. How cool is that?

WindSurfing's Managing Editor Josh Sampiero rode the Starboard Gemini tandem board. Get his review here.

Eddy Patricelli is the editor of WindSurfing magazine.