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Inflatable Boards 2023Naish Maliko 14'0" x 27.0" in test

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 06.07.2023

Naish Maliko 14'0" x 27.0": Only 27 inches wide, but fast.
Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

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Stable sprinter: The Naish Maliko is narrow, stiff, fast and suitable for any body of water. The outline of the Hawaiian Islands in the design guarantees a Maui feeling.

The Naish Maliko is only 27 inches wide, but is stiff and firm underfoot. This may also be due to the additional stringers, which are attached to the top and bottom as stiff, wide straps. The large, continuous deck pad encourages you to go backwards, where you can feel where you should stop at the latest on the wedge-shaped kick pad. There you will find support for the foot, tight pivot turns are stable but remain challenging.

The kickpad at the tail prevents unintentional dismounting when walking backwards.Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe kickpad at the tail prevents unintentional dismounting when walking backwards.

The board is a sports tourer with a small luggage net and unmistakable coastal origins. This is probably where the two side carrying handles for beach races come from. The carrying handle in the centre is still not the most comfortable, but is sewn on with a little more space for reaching in.

The board not only achieves a good average speed, but can also be accelerated very well to top speed, which is impressive in the 14-foot class of inflatables. The successful combination of low width and yet sufficient stability allows you to concentrate on the paddle strokes. The large fin keeps you on track, which can also be helpful for fast sprints. The board feels very comfortable on the lake and equally at home on the ocean.

Conclusion on the Naish Maliko 14'0" x 27.0":

The Maliko is a sophisticated sports tourer, training device - and for experienced paddlers or light people it is also a suitable touring board for longer distances. This is helped by the slightly raised nose, which represents a good compromise between flat water suitability and suitability for wavy areas.

How do you like this article?

Stiff, fast sprinter, for inland lakes and the ocean, with sporty touring suitability.

Info:

  • Price: 1589 Euro
  • Length: 428.0 cm
  • Width: 68.6 cm
  • Weight: 11.8 kg
  • Volume: 357 litres
Naish Slide-in fin - simply slides into the US box.Photo: Stephan GölnitzNaish Slide-in fin - simply slides into the US box.

Click here for the big SUP test special 2023

Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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