Takoon Data 138 x 40cm 2008
Reviews / Twin Tips
7,177
At a Glance
The Data is the latest board from the Takoon stable, there seems to be no more “years” associated with Takoon these days, when the kit is ready it just goes to market! The Data is aimed at the intermediate freerider out there who is looking for a board they can progress with and not have to change in 6 months time because their kitesurfing has progressed at a rate that their equipment can’t keep up with. The board has a 100% wood core with ABS rails and is finished to a very high standard. G10 fins complete the package alongside some really comfy straps. The board has a good flex throughout, although it is a little stiffer in the mid section. Overall the Takoon looks awesome, the graphics are really smart and should have a wide-ranging appeal across the kiting public. There are 4 sizes in the line up, a 132 x 39, a 138 x 40 and a 145 x42. The 145 would suit the rider looking for performance in lighter airs whilst the 138 that we had would be well suited to the heavier freestyler. Lightweights should definitely check out the smaller size in the range.
On the water
The Data is by far and away one of the smoothest boards we have ridden through the chop. It uses an asymmetrical rail shape, which is thicker in the middle but thinner towards the tips. This allows the board to really cut through the rough stuff with ease and give the rider a very smooth ride. Another characteristic about the Data that a lot of riders will love is that it is very easy to ride. It doesn’t feel technical underfoot, just sure of itself. It won’t go charging off at Mach 10 leaving you out of control. Instead it has a good steady turn of speed that gives the rider a real feeling of being in total command of the board. No nasty surprises here. When you want to throw the Data around though you can, the asymmetrical flex is stiff enough in the middle to still give plenty of pop to the board. And the wide and flexible tips make landings really easy. It also gets going very early on to, the square outline lending itself well to early planing. Even when a little under powered it is still happy to cruise upwind, the big 5.4cm fins helping to keep it on track. The Data is definitely a freeride machine, rail to rail carving it loves, even though it is quite wide. As an all round freeride machine it excels, a smooth ride, comfy in the chop, good pop and great carves.
For
Great looking well built and really versatile, happy to lend itself to most styles of riding, exceptionally smooth and easy to ride in the rough stuff too!
Against
If you want a pure freestyle machine this isn’t it. This is an excellent freeride board, not a pure powered pop monster.
Overall
Certainly one of the smoothest boards we have ridden this year. If you like to mix it up when you ride and do a bit of everything then the Data has the skills.
This review was in Issue 10 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit TakoonRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
