Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Boards: North Shore Maui @ Aruba

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

North Shore Maui 280 Racing

The 280 Racing is the fastest all around course-slalom board in the test and one of the most radical. When we say most radical, however, we’re not talking about its width or length or volume, but rather about its rocker. It has so much rocker - as much as the freeride Seatrend Allstars - that it takes a bit of a kick to get planing. The upside is that it unwets amazingly once up to speed. Ironically, this sort of rockered board is very fast even in marginal conditions, as it only needs to be planing. Once planing, the efficiency of its width and low wetted surface take over and allow it to point as high as other boards yet hit better top speeds than any other board. The rocker also makes this board a dream to sail downwind as it tends to remain out of the water, never plowing into overtaken chop. The 280 Racing is extremely light for its volume - as light as most custom boards this size - and its components are good. It’s a demanding board for the demanding racer.

Power Rating 78
Length 9’1”
Width 27.6”
Volume 141 Liters
Weight 14.3 lbs.
Planing 9.0
Reaching 8.5
Upwind 10.0
Tight turns 6.5
Wide turns 7.5
Ding rating 14
Price $1,599
Includes: Straps, Pads, Fin

Recommended sail:
Freeride & Race 7.0 & Up

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

North Shore Maui Slalom 275

The Slalom 275 is a fast board, no mistake about that, and at 12.5 pounds it’s incredibly light and lively. For the serious downwind slalom racer or expert speed fiend, the Slalom 275 gives no ground to custom boards on either weight or performance. We found it capable of fast, smooth jibes, but felt it needed a light touch. You want to keep your weight over the centerline and use gentle rail pressure when turning this board, as otherwise it’ll overreact. The non-skid is grippy and components are good. Footstraps in particular are cushy and comfortable and the fin is a decent quality copy of the popular Tectonics Goldwing.

Power Rating 59
Length 8’11”
Width 21.1”
Volume 89 Liters
Weight 12.5 lbs.
Planing 7.0
Reaching 10.0
Upwind 6.5
Tight turns 7.0
Wide turns 9.0
Ding rating 12
Price $1,499
Includes: Straps, Pads, Fin

Recommended sail:
Freeride & Race 5.0 to 6.5

American Windsurfer Magazine
http://www.americanwindsurfer.com/

Editorial: (603) 293-2721 Subscriptions: (800) 292-2772
FAX: (603) 293-2723 E-mail: info@americanwindsurfer.com
Web Site comments: web@americanwindsurfer.com