Pretty much a complete change from the Thommen X-Wave tested last year, and in nearly every way a change for the better. The X-Wave was very much a stubby while this MauiWave is a bit more trad in outline.

On the Water:

Despite quoting 83L it’s neither particularly long, wide or thick so, in fact, it feels very much of a size with many of the others on test. However, due to its relatively flat rockerline it is noticeably quick to plane and with plenty of grip provided by a heavily veed tail (though that then goes to single concave) it tracks very easily, jumps well and makes ground easily upwind. When blasting it feels conspicuously fast, nicely smooth and very comfortable; comparatively composed and directional, and very controllable and easy. Gybes are smooth and fast, and it can really be cracked round if required. On a wave it’s easy to find entry speed, well behaved in the carve, easily redirected and good off the top. It isn’t all that snappy and loose but it isn’t slow and trippy either. We had very enjoyable rides with it, preferring slightly bigger waves but still having fun on the smaller onshore stuff as well.

Fittings:

The board provided was one of the first out of the mould and without the production graphics.We are told that the final version will be finished in white with a simple design featuring some hi-tech graphics. The straps, pads and G10 fin all worked very well.

Popularity:

A favourite of one guester though only mid ranking for the others. All the testers very much enjoyed it.

Overall:

A very easy all-round board with good control, upwind, jumping and riding that is very accessible to all standards of sailor. A very capable riding board for a wide spread of conditions, if not quite as loose as the more rockered stubbies. It is a relatively fast board and therefore best suited to 4.7-5.3m sailing but it also has enough control to be fine down to 4.0m. We would strongly recommend it as an all-rounder to all standards of medium-weight sailor (70-85kg) for UK sailing. Its strengths are its ease, speed, smooth turns and controllability.