Taking advantage of a break in the crappy winter weather, I spent five hours across three prone sessions riding the ML 45-liter board. Although conditions were still not ideal, previous storm driven wobbly swell, they were good enough to put this unique board to the test. Having experience with all the Armstrong prone boards-including the North Swell, Amos, other brands, and for past year the 4'4" FG wing surf board, I was eager to see how the ML 45-liter would perform.
From the outset, it was clear this board offers something special. At 17 inches wide, it's relatively narrow for a prone board tackling unpredictable swells mixed with some weed and sand pockets stirred up from the reef ledges. However, by the second session, I had adjusted. True to its design objectives, it catches waves I had no business getting. As my mate on a conventional prone board with me showed.
The board accelerates like a missile and my wave count went through the roof. Also It strikes a great balance between gliding atop the water and yet submerged enough to prevent wobbly corking. The take-off required some adjustment due to the narrow width and rapid acceleration-you find yourself needing and able to get to your feet much earlier, Turning is quick and highly responsive; initially, I was over doing it but quickly adapted.
There was no noticeable loss in pumping ability; in fact, the narrow width seems to channel your energy straight down the mast with zero yaw, enhancing efficiency. The volume distribution, mast track position, and outline make it resemble a short board up front. It even duck dives reasonably well for its size. The evenly curved chimes and the overall width made the stability during pop-up a bit challenging at first, but this was dialled in by the second session. Also the rail grip is less pronounced compared to the 4'4" and other prone boards I've used, so some adjustment needed - but that's just my semi autistic nature of disliking change lol!
Considering this performance, I can only imagine some of these design parameters will incorporate into Armstrong's new prone boards, which I assume must be on the horizon. I paired the board with my chopped 180 foil, which once again rocked so I'm also eager to see what the real Armstrong foil developers put into the new small surf tails. This tail was really just an experiment in proof of design and there's something in it I can tell you! I also can see this board will serve excellently as a semi-sinker wing board due to its shape and volume distribution as some have already shown. I can also see why crew are raving about the 55L and 65L versions as great multi use boards - easy start, rail to rail carving.
Bottom line: the ML 45-liter makes a great (and unique) prone board for those looking to increase their wave count without sacrificing performance on the wave, including pumping and linking capabilities
. - Rider Weight: 74kg- Foil Setup: 880 front wing with chopped 180 tail (with 205 surf tail outline tips)- Shim: Red- Mast: 795mmI I have chosen not to capture footage out of respect for local surfers and foilers.
Great detailed review, I'm thinking of getting same board or 55 as a bigger wave paddle in board and also just to make life easier and up my wave count. Are there any downsides compared to the FG prone boards you can think of ?
Select to expand quotekobo said..
Great detailed review, I'm thinking of getting same board or 55 as a bigger wave paddle in board and also just to make life easier and up my wave count. Are there any downsides compared to the FG prone boards you can think of ?
Well it's not as stable in whitewater - for your pop up - because its shape is what makes it accelerate quickly. And there's nothing like ripping on a smaller length board. It's all relative with certain compromises. It will def get you in sooner. The waves i was trying it were not small by any measure to - also it's an outer reef break 2-300m off shore . gets all the swell and water moving at you. It wasn't the ideal spot to test this board that's for sure.
But ultimately not sure i can't really extrapolate from my experience to your question unless i tried probs the 55/65 proning to be honest with you. But yeh it would work a lot bette than a traditional prone shape that's certain.
mate just had a go in some Northwest wind driven slop - he said
"Paddled well as expected but the acceleration as your dropping in is something else.
Didn't feel any additional swing weight but like I say would like to pump it on a decent no wind day.
So so so slippery through the water. Release on take off and touchdowns felt really good.
Love the raised thingys on the deck grip for your back foot
Maybe a little unstable on take off but not too bad
finnaly some spring easterly swell and the last word on this so Last word on this but just had an epic session - 3 minute 8 wave link up on the ML plus more waves than i could count - was totally cooked after an hour and a half. It's not often i get blown away by some new gear - even the new HA i missed some of the old HA characterics - but this ML is a seriously worthwhile game changer for someone whose objective is to catch waves more easily and still be able to pump and link at will.
finnaly some spring easterly swell and the last word on this so Last word on this but just had an epic session - 3 minute 8 wave link up on the ML plus more waves than i could count - was totally cooked after an hour and a half. It's not often i get blown away by some new gear - even the new HA i missed some of the old HA characterics - but this ML is a seriously worthwhile game changer for someone whose objective is to catch waves more easily and still be able to pump and link at will.
finnaly some spring easterly swell - Last word on this but just had an epic prone session - 3 minute 8 wave link up on the ML plus more waves than i could count - was totally cooked after an hour and a half. It's not often i get blown away by some new gear - even the new HA i missed some of the old HA characterics - but this ML is a seriously worthwhile game changer for someone whose objective is to catch waves more easily and still be able to pump and link at will.
Any tips on sizing one of these for prone? I'm 92kgs and have a 4'6 Rubix (40L) but want something that catches waves a little easier.
I'm contemplating the 45L vs the 55L? Not sure how much of the efficiency is length/narrow shape vs volume for getting in earlier (particularly when the waves are a touch bigger / faster moving).
Well both are important but i know 85-90kg guys on 34L and doing well. So it depends. Think it's not only the narrow size but the length that makes them work for catching waves more easily. Plus outline and indeed the bottom DW stuff - these to narrow at the end. I'd say the 55L is your best bet at your weight all things considered. But then there is a compromise with pump due to the length and resulting swing weight - although that is mitigated somewhat due to the box being pushed quite forward and the volume distribution (another factor)
aft of center.
It also depends on the type of waves as well. Fat versus pitchy, powerful versus weak.
All i know is the stand out factor is the acceleration you feel once the wave gets on you - hence you can get to your feet a lot earlier and you rarely fall off the back of waves or get held up on them then to get pitched over the falls or at best have a sketchy entry point. It suited me i suppose because I'm not the greatest surfer and my body at 51 is pretty beat up. If you are young and spritely then the 45L would do fine. 85kg or less recon the 38L would be a weapon.
The only negative result of this is the greater instability if you do find yourself caught in the white water. Narrow width and narrow tail - but you adjust.
Recon you are better off getting the 55L for small to average days then keep your 40L for those real cranking days. Or get the 45L and just have the one board and make do on the smaller days.
Thanks Eppo. I messaged Jeremy Wilmotte and he had similar advice. He prefers the 38L ML for prone but sometimes uses the 55L which doubles as a wing board. Of course he's a pro level rider...
Select to expand quotecolin71 said..
Thanks Eppo. I messaged Jeremy Wilmotte and he had similar advice. He prefers the 38L ML for prone but sometimes uses the 55L which doubles as a wing board. Of course he's a pro level rider...
yeh he's a special rider considering his weight. So ya thinking the 45L then ? are you gonna wing it as well?
I'm leaning towards the 45L which should be enough for my prone needs, but not sure I'll be able to wing it. Trying to find a demo of one size or the other before making a call...
Yeh always a hard call. Lent it this week to a mate (as I'm away) and he said he can't fault it - "not sure why you'd need anything else". And this is a guy who just got a custom 33L prone board just made up for those big days.
Nice, I'm glad I found this review. I have the 65ML that I got for winging and I love it. I've mainly been an Appletree guy, so I'm stoked that I'm liking something else. I had my local shaper make me a custom 80L midlength, but my mistake that I went too big. Otherwise, it's a sweet build and top notch construction. I feel that if I had ordered it closer to the dims of the 65L I would be in love with it.Anyway, I'm here because I'm considering an Armie 45ML for prone. I'm an experienced winger and also a surfer with 25+ years of surfing shortboards... but I'm new to prone foil. At 84kg, I'm having trouble with an Appletree Pro Foil V2 37L. I feel I need something bigger to ease into prone until I get confident enough. So I've been considering the 45ML. That said, I do have a an Appletree Slice V3 50L for winging in higher wind that might double well as a prone board, so I'm not sure if buying at 45ML would be too redundant. 50L is typical the most I can comfortably duckdive. What do you think?
Well if ya want to spend the coin i would highly recommend the 45L. Mate of mine whose about the same weight couldn't find any faults - he said "why would you want anything else". It's been a long time since i've been so stoked on a peice of gear - even the new Has being awesome - took me a while to appreciate these wings as I missed some of the old HAs efficiency and glide. But from the get go i was stoked using this board and it's only got better. It does what it says on the box and more.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Well if ya want to spend the coin i would highly recommend the 45L. Mate of mine whose about the same weight couldn't find any faults - he said "why would you want anything else". It's been a long time since i've been so stoked on a peice of gear - even the new Has being awesome - took me a while to appreciate these wings as I missed some of the old HAs efficiency and glide. But from the get go i was stoked using this board and it's only got better. It does what it says on the box and more.
Thanks. I'll admit, I wish it was 18" wide, but I guess I can get used to 17". I'm riding Code and Axis. Nothing against Armie. We're talking about it over on the FB chat. I just happened to move to Axis early after learning on Armstrong before I bought too much more kit.
Select to expand quoteFoilWays said..eppo said..
Well if ya want to spend the coin i would highly recommend the 45L. Mate of mine whose about the same weight couldn't find any faults - he said "why would you want anything else". It's been a long time since i've been so stoked on a peice of gear - even the new Has being awesome - took me a while to appreciate these wings as I missed some of the old HAs efficiency and glide. But from the get go i was stoked using this board and it's only got better. It does what it says on the box and more.
Thanks. I'll admit, I wish it was 18" wide, but I guess I can get used to 17". I'm riding Code and Axis. Nothing against Armie. We're talking about it over on the FB chat. I just happened to move to Axis early after learning on Armstrong before I bought too much more kit.
Both those brands make great foils. Doesn't matter what ya are on I recon. My mate was using the f one eagle when he borrowed it for a week.
Nah 17 inch is just fine. Adapted real fast and i find anything wider numpty. So much fun these thinner boards on the wave and pumping is really direct as no yaw whatsoever.
The volume is really distributed to the middle front. When you sit on it - the balance point is such that you feel like you are on something like a 4 foot 4 board. Same when i up and riding. The tail length just gives you that incredible acceleration when the wave/swell is in you. Kinda probs some DW board magic built in.
ps funny i'm thinking about getting a 65L for winging (when lighter conditions) lol.
Thanks for the feedback. Haha, and from my point of view I can highly recommend the 65ML. The story goes that I always wanted to try one. I spent the day riding the larger new 80L I had made, but struggling with it due to its size. Anyway, the Armie rep had a few MLs on the beach, so I took one out... with an HA880 (winging). It was light wind by then, but I immediately got it on foil and even though I'm not familiar with the board and that HA880 I've only ridden it a few times, I immediately went and did all the normal moves I do on my Appletree 62L Jazz like with zero problems. It felt familiar. Yep, highly recommended.That night I took to the internet and ordered one. I feel that an Axis foil on an Armstrong board is like Nike shoes and Adidas socks, but whatever. lol
Select to expand quoteFoilWays said..
Thanks for the feedback. Haha, and from my point of view I can highly recommend the 65ML. The story goes that I always wanted to try one. I spent the day riding the larger new 80L I had made, but struggling with it due to its size. Anyway, the Armie rep had a few MLs on the beach, so I took one out... with an HA880 (winging). It was light wind by then, but I immediately got it on foil and even though I'm not familiar with the board and that HA880 I've only ridden it a few times, I immediately went and did all the normal moves I do on my Appletree 62L Jazz like with zero problems. It felt familiar. Yep, highly recommended.That night I took to the internet and ordered one. I feel that an Axis foil on an Armstrong board is like Nike shoes and Adidas socks, but whatever. lol
haha - again the ML is about the board - who cares what foil you ride.
I watched (and rode with a few times) a 6'2 88kg bloke using that 65ML in the weak ass bali winds - getting going in such light piss weak breezes. and he said he wished he had a 55L!!! They go early hey.
Anyhow might be too wide for me now 
ps I'm still yet to wing the 45L as i'm deep into learning to DW paddle hence winging has zero priority (on a Performance DW board which is . wait for it . only 17 inch wide).
Heh, funny you say that. I'm learning DW too. I still don't have my flat water pop-ups, but I can get up on some swell. That said, I have a KT Dragonfly, the original, which is a little wider.
Select to expand quoteFoilWays said..
Heh, funny you say that. I'm learning DW too. I still don't have my flat water pop-ups, but I can get up on some swell. That said, I have a KT Dragonfly, the original, which is a little wider.
brothers from a different mother mate. Yeh i'm up and going on the ocean but you wouldn't video it for tuition purposes it's not a pretty sight.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..FoilWays said..
Heh, funny you say that. I'm learning DW too. I still don't have my flat water pop-ups, but I can get up on some swell. That said, I have a KT Dragonfly, the original, which is a little wider.
brothers from a different mother mate. Yeh i'm up and going on the ocean but you wouldn't video it for tuition purposes it's not a pretty sight.
After MUCH deliberation, I ordered a 55ML. I figured I'm heavier than you @Eppo so it'll feel to me like you on the 45ML. Looking forward to a prone session on it next week.
I'll chime in with my 55L ML experience at 68kgs. I love it for an all around winger, parawinger and for proning sessions where duckdives are not a constant requirement (chest high and smaller swell).
I can get in shallow duckdives but anything thumping and it's a lot to handle at my weight.
It has been great for Parawinging. I'm able to get up with the 4M before whitecaps. If there's good texture on the water I'm up easy.
Swell riding and pumping are also great.
Hey Eppo,
Thanks for the review.
I was watching Oskar Johanssons review here:
Yeh compared to a thin 30 odd litre prone board - feel wise would be less. Finding this ourselves even in higher volume DW Sup paddle boards lately we've been testing. That being said the lack of foil feel to me on the 45L is marginal at best. It's def worth the trade of for superior wave count and also the less width is awesome for transfer of pump energy and carving.
I run mine at about 7.5 - swing weight is NOT an issue as the box and most of the volume is well forward. I fact when you sit in the lineup - you tend to sit almost past the halfway mark of the board. The rest is just a pinched in tail to help with acceleration when paddling into the wave aka DW know how in the board.
Swell has nearly gone and we are deep into DW paddling now but hey if we score a cheeky prone session will try and get a pic of two.
It really is the best bit of equipement i've ever used - outstanding board. A local was using an amos ML yesterday for the first time - chipping in then riding DW with the wind. He was saying the same thing as I have been saying. Just accelerates into the smallest wave even if it's just more whitewater than face.
I wonder if the new 4'11 @ 48 lts surf board would compare as it's a lot cheaper than the ML as a prone board.The surf is 20" wide so wouldn't paddle as fast as the ML.
Interesting, pretty much a prone board called the Surf Board.
If you looking for something similar as a Midlength and a fair bit cheaper you would have to consider the Casey Pilot Mid.
5'1" x 18" x 3 3/16", 37.l Casey versus the 5'1 x 17" x 3 3/4" 45L: Arnie. The Casey is slightly wider not as thick and lower volume....both great looking boards on my short list, and the 4.9 Armstrong @38l...
