From those that have rode both boards, what is the fundamental difference? I am looking for a snowboard-type carving board, and I am 6’0, 185 lbs. I’m up and riding now, and going upwind a bit, but I am not jumping or riding in surf yet.

Thanks

I’m your size and weight exactly, but riding for a bit longer.  I tried both boards this past year and the mako wide stood out for me.  Search the forum for some of those threads from last year, but the bottom line - I found the wide planed earlier, felt a lot smoother in chop, was fast and responsive, and made sharp cutbacks off of choppy waves so easy and fun.  It is definitely like riding a snowboard in powder (even if the conditions aren’t that perfect powder!)

Both boards are fast and once planing it’s easy to build up apparent wind speed; they both hang on to the water surface like mad when you send the kite for big air.  When you release the edge it’s less of a pop than some of the wakestyle boards, but you still get sent mighty high. 

For size and weight, I would definitely go wide, the real question is wide long or wide short???  I love the wide 150. 

Ryan

Well the only thing is I have a deal on a 150 x 34, and I was just debating if it was worth it. I am just learning as I said before, so I do not want to go backwards in progression.

I used the 150 x 34 for about 5 years ... It won’t hold you back ... Just remember it’s O.K. to put weight on your forward leg !!!

I have both boards, am 6’ 1 and 180 lbs. I started with the Mako Classic (150 X 34) early last year and bought the 2008 Wide this summer. Here are my observations:

I like the Classic but it becomes technical to get it going in wind conditions on the low end of the wind range. It is much less forgiving of power issues especially when turning because it doesn’t plane as well as the Wide. It is a more fun board to be on in powered conditions and I love this board in chop! I find it easier to stomp the rail in on the Classic in high wind conditions, especially in chop.  Now that I have the Wide, I find I grab that board first and get on to the water because I know it will always work from low (6m/s) until high (14m/s) conditions. So I am very glad I have both.

1) lower wind conditions, shore slop, chop, or waves: The Mako Wide
2) medium to high wind conditions, shore slop, chop, boosting tricks: The Mako Classic.

I am an intermediate kiter and ride hooked in. These are my opinions only.

kind regards
Kirk

I’ve tried both, being a tad heavier and taller than you I’d say go for the wide. The classic is a bit more technical to ride and it needs power to get going. The wide is earlier planing, and a bit easier to ride, it’ll give you more range. Kirks story is spot on.
If you are that tall, you could try riding wide strance.
I must say they’re both great fun and amazingly quick for a banana rocker like they have, they’re in absolute denial of any board shaping logic. You’ll need to dig in to Ross’s mushroom and toad habits to understand.

The wide is better in every respect except power and aggression. If you feel the need for speed and high power carving the classic is full on . Anything less the wide is loads more user friendly

Well with all of that said, does anyone have a Freeride Wide for sell? Anyone maybe looking to upgrade to a ‘09.  I’m going to hold out for the wide, especially considering the board I have now is 44 cm wide, dropping to 34 cm I would think would be a big difference.

Got two, one used last season and one brand new in the box