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Author Topic: Messenger Nautical Blue  (Read 7398 times)

admin

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Messenger Nautical Blue
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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Core Techology: Flip block with core body; Coverstock: FlexathaneTM by BASF® - Factory Finish is a 600 Grit Sheen Finish; Hardness: 75 - 78;RG: 16 lb. - 2.525
15 lb. - 2.599; Differential: 16 lb. - 0.047; Hook Rating: 12
15 lb. - 0.039
14 lb. - 0.041; Track Flare: 4" - 6";
14 lb. - 2.621; Hook Potential: 15
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BuddiesProShopcom - Bill

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2001, 02:57:39 PM »
This is one of the least hooking Messengers to hit the market, except for maybe the Black.  We have drilled these, for bowlers looking for something to give them control on those extreme dry conditions.  I would compare the Blue Messenger to the Original Green Messenger.  They have similar roll pattern, but the Blue Messenger is a couple of boards straighter than the Green Messenger.

If you are looking for a Team Challege shot, or something that won't overhook on dry lane conditions, then check out this ball.

On a scale of 1-10, I would give this ball a 5, because it will stay in your bag on most everything, except extreme dry lane conditions.  It is like the Thunder Flash, but goes a little straighter.

If you have any questions, please email me at Bill@buddiesproshop.com
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Bill
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Thanks
Bill
BuddiesProShop.com
"The Place All Bowlers Shop"

Mongo

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2001, 10:27:31 PM »
Wow.

Get the idea of where this review is going.

Specs:  3" pin
        4 oz. TW

I was looking for an all around ball and since I am real fond of Columbia's Super-Flex cover, I went with a solid Messenger.  

Due to the high TW, I knew I was going to be over the label, so I was lazy and just drilled it label leverage.  I figured that the cover is versatile enough I should get good playability across a wide variety of conditions.

I was right.

I first tested it out of the box on a fresh 36' house condition (heavy oil up front, roaring backends).  Standing 30 and swinging the middle I literally opened up 10 to the ditch.  The box finish allowed the ball to recover without being flippy and there was enough surface to where it would still move in the middle.

The next day I sanded up to 1200 and shined with Quick Cut and Ultimate just to see what it gave me with a different cover.  Bowling after a men's league, the lanes had some head oil, but the backends were much tamer.  After some fishing I ended up around 25 and 15 on the lane.  Shiny, this ball rocks.  It cleared the heads like butter and there was no problem with recovery.  As a bonue, I could take my hand out a bit and actually move out towards the gutter and still clear the heads with no problem.

Since my original testing, I've continued to tweak the shell and play different angles with this ball...everything works.  Dull, it's wonderful on both heavy oil and standard house shots.  Shined up it plays well on drier heads or straighter angles.  I see using this ball on all but the most extreme conditions.  

Highly recommend this ball to anyone and everyone.
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BowlingFanatic300

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2002, 04:39:21 PM »
I got this one when I was looking for a benchmark ball for medium, even conditions. Well, for what I was looking for, this one was just too strong.

First, on me, 18-19 MPH, a whole lot of revs

I drilled this one with length and an arcing backend. (I don't remember which drilling it is on Columbia's chart)

This ball did get nice length through the heads, and had nice read in the midlane, but MAN the backend! This ball hooked about 5-7 boards more than I had had wanted when I purchased it. In comparison, it was about 10-12 boards stronger than the Cherry Messenger I had bought as well! However, the ball was very consistent and had tremendous hit in the pocket. It was also very consistent from condition to condition.

9/10 It is a great ball, but is much stronger than Columbia gives it credit for. Even with a large coat of polish, this ball was just too strong for medium conditions.
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vstarman828

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2002, 08:19:06 PM »
With some sanding, I've been able to get some good hook out of this ball; but it hits very soft.  Spend your money on something else.
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Mr Straight Ball

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2002, 02:39:40 PM »
To all the doubters of this ball. I punched one for a youth female and she shot 787. And she does not hook the ball alot but this ball flipped hard for her. Are you telling me this YABA bowler is getting more on it then the men?

This ball is typical Messenger or should I say Columbia product. Skid and Flip!
--------------------
STAY FF MY BLOCK!
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bOwLiNg GoD

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2003, 02:03:41 PM »
This Ball did nothing for me it just went straight worst ball ever...
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harrylegthigh

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2004, 07:29:00 PM »
I just started bowling so I am certainely no authority but I bought this bowl in July 2003 to be my first hook ball. My friend plays with an ugly old green messenger so I thought it was a fair bet that this would be similar but no so! I came to loathe this ball as it represented a mistake on my part. The ball is nice looking shined up but the reactive solid cover quickly gets marked up with used and looks old. Though I guess thats true of most the non pearl coverstocks.

This ball apparently hooks less than the old messenger my friend has and for me it was practically a straight ball so I haven't used it much. I took it out today 1-2-2004 and thought ok I will give a second chance after all I had 125 dollars in it. No luck still no hook even with my prefered delivery. The pin is near the ring finger like my other balls. I just don't know. I asked the pro shop guy to try and sell it for me. Sorry but I love my new Ti BSP messenger now that thing hooks likes a sob and the price was virtually the same, a much better bargain for a columbia product. thanks

legthigh

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cassieb89

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Re: Messenger Nautical Blue
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2004, 06:26:04 AM »
This ball always hooked hard on the back end for me. It would go straight, and then come up way hard, unlike some of my other balls I was using at the time. I don't remember which because it was a year ago. It's not a real great ball...but it isn't bad either.
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