I am about to downsize my current Naish Carbon Ultra 110l and considering the 95l Carbon Ultra or the 100l Compact LE.
95l Naish Carbon Ultra 5'7 x 27.5 x 4 1/5
100l Naish Compact LE 5'1 x 28.5 x 5 3/16
We have very limited demo boards in the UK at the moment so I am not able to try before I buy.
I wondered if anybody had tried the Compact LE and what they thought of it compared to the carbon ultra. The reduced length (and therefore swing weight) of the Compact LE intrigues me, but I'm not sure if the shorter length for a similar volume when comparing the carbon ultra (5'7 compared to 5'1) will make it tricky when on the water?
personally, i'd stay away from any board with a thickness of 5 3/16. i have a board close to that, and it gives a very detached feeling from the foil. when i went to a thinner board, it felt much more connected, even though it was 6 inches longer. so from my perspective, the 95l sounds better.
Select to expand quotebeached57 said..
personally, i'd stay away from any board with a thickness of 5 3/16. i have a board close to that, and it gives a very detached feeling from the foil. when i went to a thinner board, it felt much more connected, even though it was 6 inches longer. so from my perspective, the 95l sounds better.
I never even considered the thickness aspect when on foil.....but that makes a lot of sense, thanks!
I'd rather prioritize going narrower and staying thin. Short wide boards aren't great in my experience.
I'm 70kg and ride the Ultra 85L.
I've ridden the Compact LE in both the 80L and the 70L. The 80L was a real dog, was hard to get flying in marginal winds and felt like riding a door.
The 70L was much better and was easier to get going and get flying, even in choppy conditions. If I was buying the Compact, it would be the 70L.
The Ultra 75L is also a good option, even though it's older. I like the more pointed nose of the Ultras rather than the squarer noses of the Compact.
The reviews i've seen for the Compact suggest that it's not as user friendly, or as good all-round, as the Hover Ultra.
If you're looking at ~85l, what about the Naish Hover Bullet? That board looks awesome.
Thanks all, useful comments and not much love for the compact it seems unless I go to 70l.
Select to expand quotejonysan said..
Have you considered the 85 litre Carbon Ultra at 5'2 x 26 ?
I am 85/90kg and I'm not sure if the jump down from 110l to 85l would be too much? If only I could try the 95l and 85l and see, but sadly demo boads in the UK are just not available.
I think I am sold on the Carbon Ultra over the Compact LE now. But you've now made me question if I should go 95 or 85l 
Wish they made a 95-100l Hover Bullet around 5'4" and 24" width. Would be a big guy light wind option.
Select to expand quoteGrantmac said..
Wish they made a 95-100l Hover Bullet around 5'4" and 24" width. Would be a big guy light wind option.
Yep! The 85l would be -10l for me and it's just not enough to float my 95kgs/pies and be a good every day, no stress board to use. Hopefully they come out with a slightly bigger version :-)
Select to expand quoteMilesH said..jonysan said..
Have you considered the 85 litre Carbon Ultra at 5'2 x 26 ?
I am 85/90kg and I'm not sure if the jump down from 110l to 85l would be too much? If only I could try the 95l and 85l and see, but sadly demo boads in the UK are just not available.
I think I am sold on the Carbon Ultra over the Compact LE now. But you've now made me question if I should go 95 or 85l
I'm 85kg and made the jump from 115L down to 82L for my second board. The cost was basically a session or two while you learn to knee launch/stink bug, but once you are flying you will never want to change back..
I'm your weight and have both the 85 and 95 Carbon Ultras. I don't think you can go wrong w either, but it depends on your skill level and goals. i use the 95 for light wind days or leaning new moves. At 75kgs it's so easy to just jump up and try again. The 85 is my favorite in the waves though. Truth is, with any brand, anytime you go down 10 liters, you only loose .5 - .75 pounds. Most of the weight of our foil boards is in the boxes and standing areas. There's no compromise there.It's also no coincidence that the Carbon Ultras are one of the most copied shapes out there. Without getting technical, all the lines work, especially for wave riding and bashing around.
I'm not associated or sponsored by Naish and my gear crosses a wide spectrum of other brands. Have fun..and foil on.
MilesH, hope its helps your decision. These comments relate to me, others with a different skill-set may disagree.
Let's discuss board sizes re. body weight, the foil type, your usual water state ( surf or flat) and the wind strength considered normal in your area. HA foils need more initial board speed.
In my experience there seem to be some general guides,
my body weight 74kg.
Board volume...For kneel starts plus10 to minus 10 of body weight is more stable than 20 plus.
starts in the lightest wind more board length and + 35 is an advantage . More volume than that becomes too corky.
Wing.+ 15kt 85 L. x 5'2" x 25" . (fanatic 2023)
Sub 15kt. 105 L. x 7'3" x 28". (jimmy lewis 2016 ish )
both conventional Hawaii designed boards like Naish.
prone / Downwind 95 L. 6' 3" x 21 1/2". Similar to DK.( next board will be much longer and 105 L. )
prone/ Tow 34 L. 4'8" x 18". Similar to Amos. ( very happy with this board)
re.designing; Length width and rocker profile play a huge part in getting to initial foil speed.
The Wing boards designed in Hawaii tend to have a lot of rocker, thats good for them ! they have lots of wind so starting is not an issue. Not so good where I live. Still lots of people on Naish's moderate boards though. I like them because they are thin in the rail.
Downwind boards are straighter and flatter and thats good for getting up with little power and coaxing HA foils up to speed.
A lot depends on your personal criteria, my self I don't like trying to stand on corky boards at taxi speed.
My Current light wind board is a five year old early Jimmy Lewis Hover105 Ive converted from Tuttle to track plate. It has a flat bottom no chines and a gentle rocker. The thin rails are submerged at rest with me standing. Its stable like that.
The 5'2" 85l Fanatic has big boxy rails that are almost submerged with me kneeling to start its stable athwarthships but critical fore and aft. You have to be kneeling just right and getting to my feet without upsetting the balace took some training at first. (I'm 70y gym work is mandatory) however well worth the effort because in the air the low swing weight is a treat. It also comes up off the water easily because of the uncomplicated bottom shape.
And of couse the tow board is fully submerged to my Chest/ waist pre start.
I think the biggest disadvantage in choppy water is over bouyancy and in still water its too much rocker.
Re foil type. HA foils need more initial board speed so width and rocker play an important part if theres not adequate wind.
Re Naish boards, I recently checked out their new race board with two stage rocker. Short and wide with a big transition in the middle of the rocker. As a general use board it has some disadvantages. A gentle even shallow rocker is more use. .
(just to sum up, there's a 'buoyancy point' below and above body wt that does not work.
Over 35 gets corky.
For standing sinker starts higher than minus 40 is too buoyant for me.)
MilesH you could go no more than + 10 your body weight and be comfortable if theres enough wind to taxi kneeling. Standing up from your knees in a gust should be easily doable with practice. More buoyant than that and your skill progress will out grow it quickly.
Keep your big board for marginal days.
Cheers, chris.
Select to expand quotesaltwaterwine said..
MilesH, hope its helps your decision. These comments relate to me, others with a different skill-set may disagree.
Let's discuss board sizes re. body weight, the foil type, your usual water state ( surf or flat) and the wind strength considered normal in your area. HA foils need more initial board speed.
In my experience there seem to be some general guides,
my body weight 74kg.
Board volume...For kneel starts plus10 to minus 10 of body weight is more stable than 20 plus.
starts in the lightest wind more board length and + 35 is an advantage . More volume than that becomes too corky.
Wing.+ 15kt 85 L. x 5'2" x 25" . (fanatic 2023)
Sub 15kt. 105 L. x 7'3" x 28". (jimmy lewis 2016 ish )
both conventional Hawaii designed boards like Naish.
prone / Downwind 95 L. 6' 3" x 21 1/2". Similar to DK.( next board will be much longer and 105 L. )
prone/ Tow 34 L. 4'8" x 18". Similar to Amos. ( very happy with this board)
re.designing; Length width and rocker profile play a huge part in getting to initial foil speed.
The Wing boards designed in Hawaii tend to have a lot of rocker, thats good for them ! they have lots of wind so starting is not an issue. Not so good where I live. Still lots of people on Naish's moderate boards though. I like them because they are thin in the rail.
Downwind boards are straighter and flatter and thats good for getting up with little power and coaxing HA foils up to speed.
A lot depends on your personal criteria, my self I don't like trying to stand on corky boards at taxi speed.
My Current light wind board is a five year old early Jimmy Lewis Hover105 Ive converted from Tuttle to track plate. It has a flat bottom no chines and a gentle rocker. The thin rails are submerged at rest with me standing. Its stable like that.
The 5'2" 85l Fanatic has big boxy rails that are almost submerged with me kneeling to start its stable athwarthships but critical fore and aft. You have to be kneeling just right and getting to my feet without upsetting the balace took some training at first. (I'm 70y gym work is mandatory) however well worth the effort because in the air the low swing weight is a treat. It also comes up off the water easily because of the uncomplicated bottom shape.
And of couse the tow board is fully submerged to my Chest/ waist pre start.
I think the biggest disadvantage in choppy water is over bouyancy and in still water its too much rocker.
Re foil type. HA foils need more initial board speed so width and rocker play an important part if theres not adequate wind.
Re Naish boards, I recently checked out their new race board with two stage rocker. Short and wide with a big transition in the middle of the rocker. As a general use board it has some disadvantages. A gentle even shallow rocker is more use. .
(just to sum up, there's a 'buoyancy point' below and above body wt that does not work.
Over 35 gets corky.
For standing sinker starts higher than minus 40 is too buoyant for me.)
MilesH you could go no more than + 10 your body weight and be comfortable if theres enough wind to taxi kneeling. Standing up from your knees in a gust should be easily doable with practice. More buoyant than that and your skill progress will out grow it quickly.
Keep your big board for marginal days.
Cheers, chris.
Thanks Chris, really appreciate the detailed reply and the time it must have taken to write that. Really useful :)
Thanks all, based on the above comments I'm going to go for the 95l Carbon Ultra. I am predominantly on HA foils at the moment and light wind days are regular throughout the year, so I want to maintain a bit of float.
Think I need to start learning the stingbug though in preparation for future purchases :)
Select to expand quoteMilesH said..saltwaterwine said..
MilesH, hope its helps your decision. These comments relate to me, others with a different skill-set may disagree.
Let's discuss board sizes re. body weight, the foil type, your usual water state ( surf or flat) and the wind strength considered normal in your area. HA foils need more initial board speed.
In my experience there seem to be some general guides,
my body weight 74kg.
Board volume...For kneel starts plus10 to minus 10 of body weight is more stable than 20 plus.
starts in the lightest wind more board length and + 35 is an advantage . More volume than that becomes too corky.
Wing.+ 15kt 85 L. x 5'2" x 25" . (fanatic 2023)
Sub 15kt. 105 L. x 7'3" x 28". (jimmy lewis 2016 ish )
both conventional Hawaii designed boards like Naish.
prone / Downwind 95 L. 6' 3" x 21 1/2". Similar to DK.( next board will be much longer and 105 L. )
prone/ Tow 34 L. 4'8" x 18". Similar to Amos. ( very happy with this board)
re.designing; Length width and rocker profile play a huge part in getting to initial foil speed.
The Wing boards designed in Hawaii tend to have a lot of rocker, thats good for them ! they have lots of wind so starting is not an issue. Not so good where I live. Still lots of people on Naish's moderate boards though. I like them because they are thin in the rail.
Downwind boards are straighter and flatter and thats good for getting up with little power and coaxing HA foils up to speed.
A lot depends on your personal criteria, my self I don't like trying to stand on corky boards at taxi speed.
My Current light wind board is a five year old early Jimmy Lewis Hover105 Ive converted from Tuttle to track plate. It has a flat bottom no chines and a gentle rocker. The thin rails are submerged at rest with me standing. Its stable like that.
The 5'2" 85l Fanatic has big boxy rails that are almost submerged with me kneeling to start its stable athwarthships but critical fore and aft. You have to be kneeling just right and getting to my feet without upsetting the balace took some training at first. (I'm 70y gym work is mandatory) however well worth the effort because in the air the low swing weight is a treat. It also comes up off the water easily because of the uncomplicated bottom shape.
And of couse the tow board is fully submerged to my Chest/ waist pre start.
I think the biggest disadvantage in choppy water is over bouyancy and in still water its too much rocker.
Re foil type. HA foils need more initial board speed so width and rocker play an important part if theres not adequate wind.
Re Naish boards, I recently checked out their new race board with two stage rocker. Short and wide with a big transition in the middle of the rocker. As a general use board it has some disadvantages. A gentle even shallow rocker is more use. .
(just to sum up, there's a 'buoyancy point' below and above body wt that does not work.
Over 35 gets corky.
For standing sinker starts higher than minus 40 is too buoyant for me.)
MilesH you could go no more than + 10 your body weight and be comfortable if theres enough wind to taxi kneeling. Standing up from your knees in a gust should be easily doable with practice. More buoyant than that and your skill progress will out grow it quickly.
Keep your big board for marginal days.
Cheers, chris.
Thanks Chris, really appreciate the detailed reply and the time it must have taken to write that. Really useful :)
Thanks all, based on the above comments I'm going to go for the 95l Carbon Ultra. I am predominantly on HA foils at the moment and light wind days are regular throughout the year, so I want to maintain a bit of float.
Think I need to start learning the stingbug though in preparation for future purchases :)
Nice! That will be an awesome 1-quiver board to do it all. Have fun!
Select to expand quotekiwiupover said..MilesH said..saltwaterwine said..
MilesH, hope its helps your decision. These comments relate to me, others with a different skill-set may disagree.
Let's discuss board sizes re. body weight, the foil type, your usual water state ( surf or flat) and the wind strength considered normal in your area. HA foils need more initial board speed.
In my experience there seem to be some general guides,
my body weight 74kg.
Board volume...For kneel starts plus10 to minus 10 of body weight is more stable than 20 plus.
starts in the lightest wind more board length and + 35 is an advantage . More volume than that becomes too corky.
Wing.+ 15kt 85 L. x 5'2" x 25" . (fanatic 2023)
Sub 15kt. 105 L. x 7'3" x 28". (jimmy lewis 2016 ish )
both conventional Hawaii designed boards like Naish.
prone / Downwind 95 L. 6' 3" x 21 1/2". Similar to DK.( next board will be much longer and 105 L. )
prone/ Tow 34 L. 4'8" x 18". Similar to Amos. ( very happy with this board)
re.designing; Length width and rocker profile play a huge part in getting to initial foil speed.
The Wing boards designed in Hawaii tend to have a lot of rocker, thats good for them ! they have lots of wind so starting is not an issue. Not so good where I live. Still lots of people on Naish's moderate boards though. I like them because they are thin in the rail.
Downwind boards are straighter and flatter and thats good for getting up with little power and coaxing HA foils up to speed.
A lot depends on your personal criteria, my self I don't like trying to stand on corky boards at taxi speed.
My Current light wind board is a five year old early Jimmy Lewis Hover105 Ive converted from Tuttle to track plate. It has a flat bottom no chines and a gentle rocker. The thin rails are submerged at rest with me standing. Its stable like that.
The 5'2" 85l Fanatic has big boxy rails that are almost submerged with me kneeling to start its stable athwarthships but critical fore and aft. You have to be kneeling just right and getting to my feet without upsetting the balace took some training at first. (I'm 70y gym work is mandatory) however well worth the effort because in the air the low swing weight is a treat. It also comes up off the water easily because of the uncomplicated bottom shape.
And of couse the tow board is fully submerged to my Chest/ waist pre start.
I think the biggest disadvantage in choppy water is over bouyancy and in still water its too much rocker.
Re foil type. HA foils need more initial board speed so width and rocker play an important part if theres not adequate wind.
Re Naish boards, I recently checked out their new race board with two stage rocker. Short and wide with a big transition in the middle of the rocker. As a general use board it has some disadvantages. A gentle even shallow rocker is more use. .
(just to sum up, there's a 'buoyancy point' below and above body wt that does not work.
Over 35 gets corky.
For standing sinker starts higher than minus 40 is too buoyant for me.)
MilesH you could go no more than + 10 your body weight and be comfortable if theres enough wind to taxi kneeling. Standing up from your knees in a gust should be easily doable with practice. More buoyant than that and your skill progress will out grow it quickly.
Keep your big board for marginal days.
Cheers, chris.
Thanks Chris, really appreciate the detailed reply and the time it must have taken to write that. Really useful :)
Thanks all, based on the above comments I'm going to go for the 95l Carbon Ultra. I am predominantly on HA foils at the moment and light wind days are regular throughout the year, so I want to maintain a bit of float.
Think I need to start learning the stingbug though in preparation for future purchases :)
Nice! That will be an awesome 1-quiver board to do it all. Have fun!
Thanks 
Select to expand quoteMilesH said..saltwaterwine said..
MilesH, hope its helps your decision. These comments relate to me, others with a different skill-set may disagree.
Let's discuss board sizes re. body weight, the foil type, your usual water state ( surf or flat) and the wind strength considered normal in your area. HA foils need more initial board speed.
In my experience there seem to be some general guides,
my body weight 74kg.
Board volume...For kneel starts plus10 to minus 10 of body weight is more stable than 20 plus.
starts in the lightest wind more board length and + 35 is an advantage . More volume than that becomes too corky.
Wing.+ 15kt 85 L. x 5'2" x 25" . (fanatic 2023)
Sub 15kt. 105 L. x 7'3" x 28". (jimmy lewis 2016 ish )
both conventional Hawaii designed boards like Naish.
prone / Downwind 95 L. 6' 3" x 21 1/2". Similar to DK.( next board will be much longer and 105 L. )
prone/ Tow 34 L. 4'8" x 18". Similar to Amos. ( very happy with this board)
re.designing; Length width and rocker profile play a huge part in getting to initial foil speed.
The Wing boards designed in Hawaii tend to have a lot of rocker, thats good for them ! they have lots of wind so starting is not an issue. Not so good where I live. Still lots of people on Naish's moderate boards though. I like them because they are thin in the rail.
Downwind boards are straighter and flatter and thats good for getting up with little power and coaxing HA foils up to speed.
A lot depends on your personal criteria, my self I don't like trying to stand on corky boards at taxi speed.
My Current light wind board is a five year old early Jimmy Lewis Hover105 Ive converted from Tuttle to track plate. It has a flat bottom no chines and a gentle rocker. The thin rails are submerged at rest with me standing. Its stable like that.
The 5'2" 85l Fanatic has big boxy rails that are almost submerged with me kneeling to start its stable athwarthships but critical fore and aft. You have to be kneeling just right and getting to my feet without upsetting the balace took some training at first. (I'm 70y gym work is mandatory) however well worth the effort because in the air the low swing weight is a treat. It also comes up off the water easily because of the uncomplicated bottom shape.
And of couse the tow board is fully submerged to my Chest/ waist pre start.
I think the biggest disadvantage in choppy water is over bouyancy and in still water its too much rocker.
Re foil type. HA foils need more initial board speed so width and rocker play an important part if theres not adequate wind.
Re Naish boards, I recently checked out their new race board with two stage rocker. Short and wide with a big transition in the middle of the rocker. As a general use board it has some disadvantages. A gentle even shallow rocker is more use. .
(just to sum up, there's a 'buoyancy point' below and above body wt that does not work.
Over 35 gets corky.
For standing sinker starts higher than minus 40 is too buoyant for me.)
MilesH you could go no more than + 10 your body weight and be comfortable if theres enough wind to taxi kneeling. Standing up from your knees in a gust should be easily doable with practice. More buoyant than that and your skill progress will out grow it quickly.
Keep your big board for marginal days.
Cheers, chris.
Thanks Chris, really appreciate the detailed reply and the time it must have taken to write that. Really useful :)
Thanks all, based on the above comments I'm going to go for the 95l Carbon Ultra. I am predominantly on HA foils at the moment and light wind days are regular throughout the year, so I want to maintain a bit of float.
Think I need to start learning the stingbug though in preparation for future purchases :)
Perfect. It'll be so easy for you to pop up to your stance, even on choppy days. No excuse to go throw 20 attempts at anything you might be trying to learn on any given day.
