Mike's lab Boards

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

Anyone riding at newish Mike's freeride board. I'm on the build list and wondering if anyone has a recent board...

derekd · Joined: 12 Mar 1994 Posts: 73

I have a pretty recent slalom board, 2 yrs old. Lightweight model. Mac has a 1 yr old model, pretty much same shape only bigger. Love it.
Stay on the list, or let me take your place.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

My latest Mike's Lab board is an early 2011 model . It's what Mike calls a wave slalom, and it's about 80 liters with 3 footstraps. While it's probably quite a bit smaller than the board that you're anticipating on having made, it is an awesome board that was immediately friendly and comfortable, but still very fast and maneuverable. I bought it to replace the Open Ocean 8'2" Tri-fin designs that I have been riding since early 1996. It is significantly lighter by a huge margin, yet I'm surprised how easily it handles really rough conditions, which has always been a hallmark of the OOs. In my view, this board knocks it out of the ballpark.

I've been riding Mike's boards since 1992, and in total, I've got 9 of them (still have them all). I've got a 2008 model that is probably exactly what you are looking for, but I have to admit that I have hardly used it (3 times where it wasn't the right choice for the session), so I can't offer a practiced opinion of it. Of the 7 boards that I carry in my van, 4 of which are MLs, so I have a lot of choices.

If you want, I'll take some photos of it so that you get an idea about its features (shape, cut-outs, etc.). Also, if I happen to have a chance to get up to Lake Lopez, I'll let you demo it.

Lastly, Mike's leadtime can often be quite long, but try not to get discouraged. Believe me, you'll never regret your decision in the long run. I never have.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

As said, Mac has this year's, 80cm wide, but he's a big guy, and pure slalom.
The last freeride I've seen is around SWChandler's vintage, 3 years old, soft rails, pug nosed, slight rocker out the back, friendly, but not too fast.
The rider makes it fast.
Consider.....Derrick above has a '13 Isonic107, and is still wanting a Slab.
No company can approach the build quality of a Slab.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

I'm thinking something like the Tabou Rocket 115 only built better. My last 3 boards delaminate just in front of the back strap. So 240/242 long and 66/68 wide. Around 110 liters or so. This will be a lite wind lake board for lite and gusty 6.5 and 5.5 When it get solid 5.5 I have a 3s 96 that is great....

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I think USA 4 was selling a Slab around those dimensions, 2005, but it's no longer listed.
Are you sure you want freeride and not slalom? Some of his latest slalom boards look like they have somewhat friendly rails.
I've been riding my JPSSport109 for 8 days now, 249x65. Gonna spend a couple sessions with g/f's 111Futura for reference, but it's no wind the next couple days.

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

Mike's 89 Crossover board looks really cool as a light wind back and forth board, or a slightly heavier wind course board. Which is exactly what I would use it for; get up on a plane in marginal winds; maybe do some upwind/downwind stuff in more wind.

I guess the only question is: am I good enough for a board like that?

wlundquist · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 12

I don't think Mike is making any windsurfing boards anymore. If anyone has a different opinion on this please give me the details. Thanks.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

His website indicates that he does, but if you doubt that, you might give him a ring and ask.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

He does and I'm on the wait list