Not everyone is going to like a Bonzer or an A/O. Not everyone is going to like any surfboard. There are differences in technique/waves that need accommodation. And this is comparing one world class surfer to another. They may agree, but often they may not. Back when I was younger, I frequently took boards out for a surf and immediately rejected them. The board sucked as far as I was concerned. (I was a pain in the ass) I was in a spot where frequently I could do that and just leave the board in the rack and pull another one out. And another rider pulls the board out and loves it. And the opposite. I grab someone's reject off the used rack and love it. It happens. I think most of us have experienced this. It's part of what makes it interesting. At least it is for me. I've always been fascinated by how things work. If it was all easy and black and white it wouldn't be so intriguing.
And sometimes a surfboard doesn't work for you. How many devoted thruster riders have experienced having a thruster they hate? 100%. Obviously. That happens with twins, quads and yes, even Bonzers. (Yes, I have had a few Bonzers I didn't like) My point here is riding one Bonzer, (or thruster, or twin or whatever) and not liking it and deciding that therefore all Bonzers, or all twins or all thrusters suck would be a less than reasonable conclusion.
But I understand the problem. Especially on a gun. And you are under no obligation to thoroughly investigate each and every design before you conclude that it doesn't work for you. Obviously. But I'm not a surfboard design fascist. Nor is Malcolm. At this point he has people coming from all over the world to get boards from him. And they keep coming back for more. He can't make all the surfboards. He has plenty of work. And believe it nor not, I have a couple of MC bonzer bottomed thrusters. They used to be fairly common around here. You kind of need 805 credentials, but he will still make them. But really, there is so much demand for Bonzers I think it's understandable that he wants to concentrate his efforts there. I'm just kind of pointing out the fact that rejecting a design because you got one specimen you didn't like is perhaps not exactly giving things a fair shake. But these are just toys. We are just big boys playing in the water with toys. Far be it from me to tell you what toy you need to frolic with. Do your thing. Just maybe keep an open mind. Sometimes just feeling something different has value. Sometimes a surfboard has things to teach you if you let it.