Already ridden: Naish Bullett 135 - crisp freeracer for easy heating

Surf Testteam

· 05.08.2024

Naish can do more than just waves: With the Bullet comes a new freerace board

On the flat deck, the loops can also be mounted in a sporty far-out position, but also in a moderate inside position.

Deep cut-outs ensure a free driving experience

The test board was equipped with a 48 mm fin from MFC

The Bullet models impress as fast freeracers without demanding too much from their pilots.

6 Images

Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

With the three new Bullets, Naish now has crisp freeracers in its programme that look very sporty even in light winds. We were able to try out the Naish Bullet 135.

On land

Flat, thin and wide, Naish relies on modern shape features - without keeping the board extremely short. The 135 has a decent length of 2.35 metres. On the flat deck, the straps can also be mounted in a sporty outboard position, but also in a moderate inboard position. At a measured 7.9 kilos (without fin, without straps), the sandwich carbon construction board is even lighter than stated and is one of the lightest in its class. The planing surface has a moderate V-shape throughout, whereby the "V" is slightly more visible at the height of the fin and in the area of the mast track than under the front foot straps. The straight planing surface section is very short and only begins directly in front of the fin box. Towards the tail, the board shows a few millimetres of rocker, which sets it slightly apart from many other freeracers. The cut-outs in the tail are large and the stiff, slim MFC fin sits in a tuttle box.

On the water

Despite its short planing surface, the 135 Bullet impresses right from the start with a harmonious transition into planing, which is garnished by lively acceleration. Once you have positioned yourself in the foot straps, which are mounted very far back, the board flies freely and sportily over the choppy waves even in medium winds. Even without a lot of body tension, the board glides stably around the longitudinal axis without rolling. The deep cut-outs and the short planing surface should ensure a free, high planing position, the water contact is sporty and direct.

If you now initiate the jibe with a lot of speed, the board holds its course well even in choppy water, glides smoothly on the rail and picks up the speed well. On the other hand, with increasing foot pressure, it can be turned surprisingly tightly with full control - even tight slam jibes with lots of speed and full pull in the sail are possible on the wide board. You have to get used to the rather wide stance (distance between the front and rear straps), but you soon get used to it.