Wave board conundrum.

4 months ago
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Joecustom
Joecustom
1 posts
1 posts
25 Jan 2026 2:49am
Need to get a 70L -75L board but for european conditions (no down the line conditions where I live). I sail in onshore mushy conditions where upwind and early planning are vital. I`m a light weight and have an 86L board as my large board. Am torn between a magic wave 75 and a Duotone Freewave 74. Has anyone used either of these boards?
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
26 Jan 2026 7:04am
I think if upwind and planing are the priority over waveriding, then a freewave is your answer
I have no experience of the Duotone though
Rango
Rango
WA
853 posts
WA, 853 posts
26 Jan 2026 9:13am
If its for highwind jumping and onshore turns an allround wave shape would be my pick ,whatever the equivelant is to a Pyro ,not sailed any of your picks.
I,m a lightweight and early planing is not such an issue as heavier riders that may need more help with a freewave.
flyingmujol
flyingmujol
45 posts
45 posts
28 Jan 2026 5:30pm
For the kind of conditions and uso that Rango mentions, among the boards I've tried I really like how the Grip4 and Custom4 perform. I haven't tried any modern freewave designs below 95 liters, so I can't really compare, but I'm curious. Not all brands have freewave boards under 80 liters - there must be a reason for that.
Manuel7
Manuel7
1349 posts
1349 posts
28 Jan 2026 8:48pm
What weight? What sail size? Early planing but you have an 86?
philn
philn
1109 posts
1109 posts
29 Jan 2026 1:31am
I have used both boards in the 105 L size. The Duotone Freewave was the previous generation, not the current generation. The current generation is supposed to be less wave riding oriented and more freestyle/early planing oriented than the previous generation.

For actual wave riding DTL in cross on mushy conditions the Magic Wave is really good. For staying upwind and getting planing really easily the freewave has an edge.
Choose what is more important to you. There are always trade-offs.
Matt UK
Matt UK
WA
294 posts
WA, 294 posts
29 Jan 2026 5:38am
Flikka custom freewave boards are great and can be built to suit your needs. Luka the shaper emails back and has really good experience making a board for your conditions, weight and rocker. You can have 5 fin boxes too so you can use as quad or thruster.

I have a freewave 135 and it turns like a 100 litre board, their fins to suit the boards too work really well, especially their angled side fins.

I also have a 105 compact wave in their dyneema construction.

You can go on their design your board thing on their website and get quite creative with sizes and set ups.
mackenzie
mackenzie
WA
11 posts
WA, 11 posts
7 Mar 2026 2:14pm
Had the same conundrem so just made these 2 fibreglass wave boards




AI.Dave
AI.Dave
TAS
159 posts
TAS, 159 posts
7 Mar 2026 8:30pm
The magic waves are very versatile, especially if you can track down an older 5 box (pre 2024) model. Very quick to plane, good upwind and feel light under your feet. Love mine and the quad option is great for bigger days.
Can't really comment on a freewave, i havent ridden a recent one. But i will anyway I reckon they'd be quicker but not as wave oriented. I'd go for the magic wave if jumping and riding is your thing. The magic wave would be comparable to a Grip 3, rather than freewave
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