Length (cm) 249
Width (cm) 71
Vol (L) 130
Weight (Kg) 9.65
Fin Naish 40cm (Power)
Sail Range 5.8-8.0m
Price 799.00
The Icon is new to the Naish line-up for this season,
replacing the Titan after its range had only just been
modified for 2005. Designed for maximum
performance from minimum effort, the four boards in
the series have a wide target audience, from “the
sailor taking their first steps onto a short-board, to
the ambitious slalom sailor looking for a light air
freeride/slalom solution.” Short and wide, the 130
has a thick boxy profile throughout, with plenty of
volume concentrated around the mast track. The
deck is very flat in the nose, which combined with
the subtle nose rocker makes the board seem very
flat overall indeed. On the underside it has a
progressive increase in vee towards the tail,
complimented with bevels in the nose and
shoulders. The rails on the other hand have a sharp
edge and only experience a slight tuck from the
mast track onwards. Produced in a new glass
sandwich construction, it has an inbuilt railband for
additional durability and comes complete with a
40cm freerace fin, heel cushioned deckpads and
Naish’s characteristic firm footstraps, giving it a very
well finished appearance.
Ride and Handling
On the water the Naish has a very distinct character,
unique from anything else in the group. Feeling
quite small and compact underfoot compared to
others here, it takes a little more energy to release,
rising steadily from the water once its planing
threshold is exceeded. There are a couple of
inboard strap positions available, making the board
viable for the ambitious intermediate. Used in
comfortably powered conditions with outboard
straps, it has a good turn of speed, providing plenty
of feedback from the fin as it skims over the water.
With its flat nose sitting low to the water’s surface, it
just asks to be driven through the back foot, the
rider’s feet locked comfortably out on the board’s
deckpads that wrap round its boxy rails. The hull
does feel quite stiff and sharp when sailing it, and
despite the cushioned pads absorbing some of the
impact as you sail over chop, the ride is rather
involving, the pilot continually informed of every
bump and chop that they sail over. This is
particularly noticeable when taking the Icon out in
overpowered conditions, where it does become
technical to trim efficiently, the board tipping from
side to side and requiring a firm hand to regain
command over it. This is partly due to the hard
footstraps that provide little support or comfort to
help to rider trim the board ideally. More interesting
to sail for the experienced rider than many here, the
Icon is a wearing board to sail for long periods if you
are not use to its direct style.
Manoeuvres
Entering the gybe with speed, the Icon has only one
true turning arc that it likes to prescribe, feeling
rather twitchy and insecure if you force it into a
tighter carve. Get the angle right and it bites well, the
flat deck helping to stabilise the board upon exit. In
chop the board’s boxy shoulders demand
concentration from the rider to engage, bouncing
out of the turn if constant even pressure is not
applied.
For: Suited for those that like a harder more direct
ride.
Against: Twitchy and unforgiving in the gybe. Lack
of comfort in chop.
