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Devotid Debuts 2009 Line-Up at Surf Expo Author: Wakeskating.com Staff
Date: 09-29-2008
View the Devotid photo Gallery here.
Devotid wakeskates made the trip down to the Surf Expo from Saginaw, Michigan, to showcase their new 2009 line-up of wakeskates and accessories. This was the first year Devotid had a booth, and thus was yet another company that helped wakeskating have its strongest showing, not only gear-wise, but also through the presence of independent, wakeskate specific companies. But enough with the factoids; Devotid has covered all the bases with board options to satisfy any rider in the spectrum who is "devotid" (haha) to wood construction. They also brought along a few of their board accessories that turned heads along the way.
One of the first thoughts that came to my head after just looking at these decks was that they looked like they had a nice surface treatment on them. I was then informed that they actually have three coats of sealant in a four step process, making the decks look super glossy and of course, nicely protected from the water. The graphics on all of the Devotid wakeskates are also subliimated PBT, which give them that extra base layer of durability.
For the entry level rider (or the nostalgic bro who's rebelling against concave), Devotid has two flat decks coming out for 2009. Named the Tribute (40 inches) and the Cruiser (42 inches), both are 8 plys thick, and have a PBT base. The ply-lay up for these boards is actually one ply heavier than before. Part of their reasoning for this change is the idea that the added weight will help that entry level rider make an easier transition to a heavier concave. Both flat deck models are set to retail at $129.00, making it easy on your pocket book to either get into wakeskating, or simply continue to enjoy it in these trying times.
Tribute 40
Cruiser 42
Devotid's answer to a "traditional" wood concave is their Movement series. These models have a new concave profile that could be described as smoothly transitioned and deliciously deep (those are my words). The construction of the board is a bass and birch hybrid with a PBT base. (Just a note: the hybrid concept is something you will be seeing more of this season in other wood wakeskates, albeit with different wood combinations.) The majority of the board is going to be made of bass wood, but the very bottom ply is birch. Birch is being used because it's said to be "dimensionally stable," or in other words, it's going to help prevent the board from warping. It also aids in strengthening your wakeskate, which isn't a bad thing if you like to shred your face off like most wakeskaters. The movement series is set to retail at $229.00.
Movement 39, mounted with Devotid's skate bumps. The graphics that will be on the Movement series are still undecided, so what you see may not be what you get. To be continued!
Movement 39 concave.
Movement 39 rail
Movement edge and rail
Movement 41
Movement 41 concave
Movement 41 edge and rail
Movement kicktail
Finally, Devotid has their Onward bi-level series. These decks are also wood with a PBT base, and utilize the birch and bass hybrid combo. An added benefit of this wood combination to the bi-level genre is weight reduction, since a common complaint against bi-levels is that they weigh too much. By utilizing this combination of woods, Devotid has been able to reduce the weight of their design by almost 2 lbs, yet the decks are still thick throughout.
The mounting system is also different from what you may have previously seen. On the expo display models, the boards were utilizing a bushing type system (two on each end), instead of a previously seen two piece riser system.
38 Mounts
39 concave
42 concave
The ply lay-up for the top deck vs. the bottom deck is also worth noting. Devotid's top deck has more cross-grain lay ups to improve the performance characteristics of a bi-level, since that particular lay-up will aid in more longitudinal flex. This design is also supposed to keep that flex in the top deck, where as the bottom deck is laid up oppositely for torsional stiffness. The shape of the top deck is also on point, and makes sure to take advantage of a key bi-level feature, which is the ability to have a deep, yet smooth skate inspired concave.
Bi-level top deck concave
Right now, the onward decks are available in a 38, a 40 and a 42. There's also a pro model bi-level called the Passion, but it was not on display at the trade show. It's also important to note that Devotid will have replacement decks for their bi-levels. I'm not certain as to what the individual top decks will retail at, the Onward series is set to retail at $269.00, making them one of the most affordable bi-levels currently on the market.
To accompany their wakeskate line, Devotid brought along some of their key accessories, ranging from crazy fins with cigs in them, to the more interesting skate bumps and my personal favorite, the metal bits. Metal bits is the current term being used when the boys are speaking about their new brackets that mount onto their bi-levels. They're designed to allow the top deck to flex, while preventing the kicktails from folding up on some sort of unintentional submarine maneuver. Being a bit of a bi-level fan, of course I went up to that board and flexed the kicktail, and the metal bits didn't prevent that deck from flexing in the least. I also heard that product testing was done by throwing a bi-level out of a boat at 30 m.p.h. and they didn't experience any breaks.
A close up of the metal bits mounting brackets. They attach to the top deck and provide support for the kicktails, while still allowing them to flex normally.
Devotid had the rest of their accessories on display as well. They have fins if you prefer them, and they also have skate bumps. These are reminiscent of a skate wheel in shape, and will assist in performing lock-in styled maneuvers, like nose and tail slides, blunts, etc.
Devotid's wide assortment of skate bumps, alongside their complimentary tootsie rolls. That bowl of candy served as a main source of sustinence for many an expo goer, myself included. I believe a "thank you" is in order...
So that's Devotid 2009 in a nutshell. I can say that this isn't all they have in store for the upcoming season, but for now, this is all you are privy to. Good day!
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