Boards UK
::2008 Exocet Kona One::
This is the original Kona that was introduced three years ago. It’s advertised as “a
stable and manoeuvrable board that has natural wave abilities”.
Character & Performance: In light winds the Kona glides very cleanly
through the water, railing well to windward as you stand on the boxy rails with the
daggerboard engaged to cruise upwind (it points higher than any board on the test).
Indeed, with its high level of vee under the front straps the board will actually happily
cruise upwind without the daggerboard.
The large amount of board in front of the mast makes tacking easy. Gybing, however, is a
bit more technical as the board doesn’t pivot on the tail as snappily as some shorter boards.
This does mean that it tends to keep more speed through the turn, albeit through a wider arc.
As the wind picks up, the Kona accelerates fairly slowly onto the plane (compared to
the shorter, wider boards on test). We found that the sail needed to be sheeted out
slightly in order to lose pressure on the daggerboard and disengage it. Once planing, the
board frees up and the effect of the duck-tail is clearly noticeable, making the board feel
more alive and turny than you might expect from something of this size. Despite its
length and volume, it is actually surprisingly controllable in rougher water: the extra
weight helps holds it down, as does the vee in the underside. It can also be carved
surprisingly well around a turn (for such a big board), and the large tail gives you plenty
of room for clumsy footwork. In waves the Kona can be manoeuvred fairly well, but a lot
of input and energy is required from the rider to get it into the right place. The lack of a
single back strap option means that any riding has to be done with the back foot out.
Fittings: The deck and rails of the board are covered in soft, non-slip EVA – as well
as making the board comfortable for beginners it makes railriding far less scary. The
daggerboard is non-removable, fairly stiff and protrudes 62cm. The fin is a Kona 46
and fairly freeridey in shape; those learning to beachstart should use something a
little shorter. (A screwdriver with a very long shaft is needed to change the fin, due to
the very thick tail.) There are plenty of well thought out footstrap positions, and our
test board was supplied with DaKine Primo straps.
The board is fairly heavy at 15.5kg, but balances well on the daggerboard pedal
when being carried.
Popularity: The Kona was enjoyed by all, partly because of the novelty of sailing
it, but most were surprised by how well it performed considering its size.
Strengths: Light wind performance and upwind pointing.
Weaknesses: Manoeuvrability and weight.
Overall: A great all-round longboard that can be used in pretty much any windstrength,
and thus great for any half-decent sailor who wants to get out there whatever the weather.
The best cruiser in the test due to its very handy upwind performance and comfort, and for
this reason also could work as a one design racer. It was actually our least favourite in the
test for throwing about, so take this whole waveriding / back-looping marketing strategy
with a major pinch of salt. The Kona is simply a nice all-round longboard.
: check out the specs :
