[toby wilson]

Just got a review of the Mako from a larger rider who combines the Mako with the Diablo (Ocean Rodeo C kite). Looks like the board will be NO trouble at all for me, especially with my Slingshot Machines!!!

HEY TOBY!
You are gonna love the mako. The key to this board is speed, its not a slogger like a glide. Point it downwind and get it on a plane, then it will carry anyone, big or small, any where you point it. Its easy to ride too, this is something I didn't put much vaule on until I got mine. Now I am making gutsy moves that I used to have to really focus on, with out having to think about it. Its like an extension of my body that rarely comes off.

I have flown a 06' 16m machine for a week when I was trying to decide on what kite to get, and it was my 1st choice, until I flew a diablo. The machine is a super good kite that can adapt to a lot of conditions, even snow! I loved flyiing it! Tuning on the fly is its strong point, and it may have a bit more low end than a diablo. But its when its operating in the upper end of its wind range that the thing shines!

The diablo has more forward speed right at the edge of the window, so much in fact, it feels like its going to over fly and stall! Its (06') a bit more complex to tune, 18 power settings are a bit much at first, but once you get a feel for it, the diablo gives you an unfair advantage over the machine in gusty crap conditions, its smoother, and I think glides more. I think this is why the mako and diablo work so well together, the mako lets you dial in that speed and glide that happens right on the edge.

Both these kites kick ass when the wind picks up and you are operating the foils at the upper end of thier wind range. This is where they have few equals. This is typical for the conditions they were made in too, the gusty NW.

See how the mako matches the machine before you change kites, I never had a chance to use this combo, and it might reveal a characteristic of the machine you've never experienced before.

Besides, John Z is so right, once you try an OR you'll never go back.

Good luck dude, hope we both get some shred time soon!

Craig Myers (aka-rodeo clown-seattle kite, carkeek craig-kiteforum)