Ride Report: Mike Griffin K Model(s) 7’3” - 8’0”

[Sky]

I know I know, I promised this ride report a while ago. I forgot about it multiple times but after reading back on some past posts it clicked that I was going to do a write up, especially since I’ve had these boards for a while now.

Anyway, here it goes.

Board stats:
7’3” x 19 1/2” x 3”
8’0” x 21” x 3 1/4”
Both Glass on Tri fins

Types of waves ridden:
Reefs and Beach breaks

First thing I noticed about these boards, and this model in particular. They love juice, good waves, and they perform great in the not so best situations. Its my understanding that the K-Model is a tried and true design first shaped by Skip (correct me if I’m wrong). Regardless, these boards perform well, and the tri fin works perfectly with plan shape, though I would still love to get my hands on this model in the single fin/quad variety.

Comparison
Although these boards are the same model, they ride a bit differently. The 7’3” has a double barrel concave towards the tail, while the 8’0” has very slight single running through the fins. The fin cluster on these boards is also different. The 7’3”s’ fins are a bit more raked and shorter, the 8’0” has more upright, bigger fins. Both boards have a slightly smaller center fin, but not so small to consider it a twin+ trailer. All in all, the 7’3” is more versatile in my opinion. I tend to choose that one over the 8’0” on average days. On bigger days though the 8’0” shines, and is my go to. It is my perfect cold winter session board, the days where the waves are pumping, the wind is blowing in the perfect direction for the spot, and you’re having a blast. The 7’3” is a bit more bladed in the rails as well, making it a great board for steeper/critical days, while the 8’0” is a bit softer and beefier toward the nose and tail. Both boards are wide point forward oriented, the 7’3”s’ rail curve is far more elongated making the wide point a bit closer to center. The 8’0” rail line feels more aggressive and feels like a traditional wide point forward board. I like turning them closer to behind center, but the gas pedal is closer to front of the board.

All in all, I love them both, my only complaint is that the 8’0” is definitely thick for my 190 pound build. I have issues getting it under for duck dives as it carries its foam all throughout the board. It’s all about trade offs though, as I can get in very early with it. They’re both workhorses in my Mike Griffin quiver.

 

[SD_TO zone]

Thanks for this - I’ve been thinking of adding something like a tri fin K or a winter magic for next winter around 7’7 - 7’9 ish

My 8’0 single worked great all winter but sometimes missed having a little less length and those fins on the rails to tighten up turns and help backside.

Happy to hear they also work on slightly more average days and not just for the pumping ones.

 

[Syncro]

Beauties!

 

[Sky]

Thanks for this - I’ve been thinking of adding something like a tri fin K or a winter magic for next winter around 7’7 - 7’9 ish

My 8’0 single worked great all winter but sometimes missed having a little less length and those fins on the rails to tighten up turns and help backside.

Happy to hear they also work on slightly more average days and not just for the pumping ones.

Glad to inspire someone on this shape. The tri is something that just works, better for my 7’3” which is a better steep wave board for me, just holds in those tricky situations. The 7’3” also reminds me MORE of a winter magic than a K-model. The 8’0” feels more traditional to the designs roots, don’t forget to maybe explore a quad option as well.

 

[oldsurftee]

How are you sizing these? Did you or do you currently ride smaller thrusters?

This looks incredible for juicy points/reefs but just curious how you sized it.

 

[Sky]

How are you sizing these? Did you or do you currently ride smaller thrusters?

This looks incredible for juicy points/reefs but just curious how you sized it.

I don’t currently ride other thrusters, I have ridden shorter ones in the 6’ area. Bit confused by what you mean by sizing them?

 

[SD_TO zone]

How are you sizing these? Did you or do you currently ride smaller thrusters?

This looks incredible for juicy points/reefs but just curious how you sized it.

I usually ride a 9’6 or one of two 8’0s depending on the surf. A single usually for bigger waves and a Tri with true Ames boomerangs for a “daily driver” if I’m not on a longer board.

I’m leaning heavily towards a 7’7 with glass on Tri fin. Still keep paddle power and a longish rail line but not quite as long as my 8’0s, with the thruster benefits compared to the single Im currently using for better days. Basically another option depending on the spot I’m surfing or what the waves are doing.

I never really clicked with short hpsb/thrusters and liked mainly fishes for shorter boards, but really am liking a Tri fin on a longer board since I tried it. I think sizing will depend on what your goal is for the board and where it fits in the quiver, but a lot of K model type boards seem to fall in the 7 - 8 ft range

 

[oldsurftee]

I usually ride a 9’6 or one of two 8’0s depending on the surf. A single usually for bigger waves and a Tri with true Ames boomerangs for a “daily driver” if I’m not on a longer board.

I’m leaning heavily towards a 7’7 with glass on Tri fin. Still keep paddle power and a longish rail line but not quite as long as my 8’0s, with the thruster benefits compared to the single Im currently using for better days. Basically another option depending on the spot I’m surfing or what the waves are doing.

I never really clicked with short hpsb/thrusters and liked mainly fishes for shorter boards, but really am liking a Tri fin on a longer board since I tried it. I think sizing will depend on what your goal is for the board and where it fits in the quiver, but a lot of K model type boards seem to fall in the 7 - 8 ft range

Appreciate that. Yeah I had an idea the size range was in the 7-8' zone but didn't really understand why or how one would go about it and this helps for sure. I think I'll just talk to Mike and see what he thinks.

I also come from smaller twin fins and think the longer thruster would be super fun with the pivot and longer rail line.

 

[SD_TO zone]

Appreciate that. Yeah I had an idea the size range was in the 7-8' zone but didn't really understand why or how one would go about it and this helps for sure. I think I'll just talk to Mike and see what he thinks.

I also come from smaller twin fins and think the longer thruster would be super fun with the pivot and longer rail line.

I had been mainly riding singles with some twinzers thrown in. Spoke to both Bird and Larmo and their input had me give a longer thruster a try.

I loved the drive off the bottom on my longer single when there was power in the wave (no concave/mainly belly and V) and that sweet sweet bottom turn low on the wave.

I feel like the tri fin is definitely more forgiving and holds drive on turns, wants to sit mid face a little more rather than at the bottom which helps when there isn’t as much power in the wave, and of course more forgiving backside. You know, basically all the stuff that led to the invention of the thruster…

I think as long as your not trying to take one of these longer tris straight up in the lip and thinking more smooth rail to rail surfing/carves, or coming off the bottom with the aim of sitting in the middle of the wave face (ie: barreling waves) they are fantastic

 

[SD_TO zone]

I was also told don’t over fin them (longer Tri fins)