The Madd has been in the Hifly range for several
years now, and revolves around the adopted Twinser
fin concept. The 138 is the second largest in the
range and comes complete with an extended
deckpad, four easily adjustable DaKine straps and
two 31cm fins, being produced in carbon Kevlar
sandwich technology. The outline of the board is
interesting – very rounded with a pointed nose shape,
its wide point placed behind the mid-point by the front
straps, before tapering down rapidly to the tail. On the
underside, the Madd’s hull sees a course matt finish
and has a signature Hifly shape, progressing from a
mono-concave in the nose to double concave in its
mid-section, combining with vee by the footstraps and
finishing with pronounced vee in the tail. On top of
this it has a distinct bevel running from the front strap
to the nose, becoming very pronounced just behind
the mast track. Its volume is distributed evenly, the
board’s profile being full bodied right up to the back
strap before thinning rapidly.
Ride and Handling
On the water the Madd gave a very rounded
performance, making it an exceptional tutor for the
intermediate, yet continually surprising us with the
performance available. Practical to beach-start in
shallow water thanks to the small fins, it is wide and
stable at idle, responding well as soon as power is
supplied and cruising up to an easy respectable
speed. It is also very directionally stable as the rider
shifts their weight to the board’s tail, giving them
plenty of time to get comfortable with the newfound
planing sensations. Whilst the fins generate a steady
amount of lift, they don’t rock the board onto its
leeward rail, but keep it sitting flat on the water. As
such, Hifly have been able to position the footstraps
very inboard, making them effortless to locate. Once
in the straps, the rider is encouraged to adopt a
comfortable upright stance over the board, making
the Madd relaxing to sail and giving it a smooth
responsive nature. The speed and efficiency of the
board comes very easily, asking little technical input
from the rider as it trims itself intuitively. That said, the
ride over chop isn’t as clean as with the Free 142, the
Madd’s pronounced bevel on the underneath of the
board catching occasionally and producing a bit of
spray. In well powered to overpowered conditions,
the Madd retains its stunning composure, never
really lifting on the fins or accelerating to a faster
speed, the footstraps too inboard to really load the
rail. To this end it is much happier being used in
comfortably powered conditions, cruising easily to
cover distance rather than driven with a locked-in
blasting style.
Manoeuvres
Easy and forgiving to redirect due to the inboard
strap positions, the Madd carves into the turn
beautifully, offering great versatility in its turning style.
With its calm measured character and steady
cruising speed the 138 really reassures the rider
upon entry, the fact that the twinsers never give way
providing the confidence to keep the pressure on
through the gybe. Experienced sailors can really
plough the 138 into the turn and watch the rails bite,
holding its edge like a board 20L its junior and
exiting the corner at speed.
For: Ease of use, practicality, manoeuvre-potential,
cost(?)
Against: Narrow stance as with all Hiflys.
Experienced riders should look to the Free 142.
Length (cm) 258
Width (cm) 72
Vol (L) 138
Weight (Kg) 9.5
Fin Twinstyle 30cm (Twinser Power)
Sail Range 6.0-8.5m
Importer Total Option Tel: 01543 411333
Price £899.00
