Michel bourez pro model

[dawnbuster]

Hi guys,would really appreciate if you could give me some approx date as to when I could purchase the new mb model here in sunny oz.Have read other forums indicating March for the uk .Will we also be getting a shipment down under around that time.Thanks.

[prjwebb]

Heard that it'll be more like April in the UK now, with very limited numbers as there are only 200 boards allocated to Europe in this shipment.
I imagine you'll be seeing them before then in Aus.

[kdropin]

any word on the eta of the ....lost mini driver??

[Chris]

Hey Dawn, those boards are going to be delivered in the first quarter of this year, there may be orders in with ETAs already. Have you called a few AUS shops to ask?

Thanks!

[dawnbuster]

[QUOTE=Chris;1088]Hey Dawn, those boards are going to be delivered in the first quarter of this year, there may be orders in with ETAs already. Have you called a few AUS shops to ask?

Thanks.

Hey Chris,getting a different story here in oz.Most shops saying expecting delivery mid year for the Mb pro model.Whats the scoop?

[Fazza]

I spoke to Firewire direct early last week in OZ and i was told that the MB Pro will be available in early April.....

[Chris]

yeah that is fairly accurate. So you ALL HAVE BEEN SO PATIENT!!!!

Unofficially, keep your eyes peeled to the website next week....

[Wandi]

As in March edition of Transworld surf
Michel Bourez model 5'10 18 1/2 27/16
27.2 liters
Combines speed, power and a tight turning radius in a high performance board
To be ridden 1" to 2" shorter than your standard short board
Available April

[aurfalien]

What does the FW crew suggest for fins on the MB?

[Wandi]

Hey Chris
How about a bit of a review on your 5'10 MB
How does it compare to your other boards
What waves does it work best
Where would it sit in your quiver
What are the main differences from the Taj pro ( I know MB fell for FW boards from riding a Taj)
As well as the best fin setup
Also can you order one with a spray
Cheers Wandi

[Chris]

hey wandi, see below. A little pressed for time so I can't go super deep into it, but have a look.

-How does it compare to your other boards: The Michel what I would call an "all around high performance shortboard." You are riding it waist to overhead and a half, easily. it grovels like a CHAMP, seriously, you will be blown away riding it in small stuff and hooking it meaty stuff. It will likely steal a lot of my Alternator time.
-What waves does it work best: all kinds. Probably dislikes soft slopey waves the most, but you are on it in nearly anything over stomach high as long as there is a little push. Think waist to overhead and a half.
-Where would it sit in your quiver: My quiver has been adjusted after a period of experimentation. I ride a potato, elfuego, alternator, Michel, flexfire. My 510 Michel is good but the rail is too short for my preference. I will be getting a 600 when it comes in. boards are listed in order of surf size from small to big, but will likely bump my Alternator a bit.
-What are the main differences from the Taj pro ( I know MB fell for FW boards from riding a Taj): width and thickness and volume per unit length. Same rocker.
-As well as the best fin setup: varies from person to person, but all MB models will come in Futures as he is a team rider.
-Also can you order one with a spray: we don't currently offer custom spray jobs. we encourage folks to do that post purchase.

Cheers and hope thuds helps.

[prjwebb]

I was going to say how do you find riding a 5'10" x 18.5" shortboard Chris? I can barely get my head around that... The 6'0" x 18.75" sounds perfect for an everyday board for me, but with the thickness @ 2.57" my chicken legs wouldn't have a chance of loading it up!
Looks like the MB has a springer also? Could be worth adding that to the spec section on the main site.

[dawnbuster]

Hi nev,or anyone in FireWire land.Would like to know the dimensions of the mb.That is nose,tail and centre of buoyancy.As yet the specs are not on the board formula page.I realize you guys have been flat out but would really appreciate the info on that board.Thanks

[Chris]

hey dawn,
because its a new model, i don't have all those specs yet. our CAD team is putting together a new spec sheet, but until I get that, I can't get that data to you. Just have t one patient for the time being.

thanks

[aurfalien]

Not sure if its been covered so apologies for the repeat q (r we there yet r we there yet... ). Is the MB avail in SoCal yet?

[prjwebb]

I think March/April/May was the estimated release time world wide.

[MeanGreen]

hey dawn,
because its a new model, i don't have all those specs yet. our CAD team is putting together a new spec sheet, but until I get that, I can't get that data to you. Just have t one patient for the time being.

thanks

Hey Chris, Saw the new MB dims. So stoked! The 6'0 at 2 3/8" is going to be money! Can't wait until the Spring when these are available.

[spjones123]

Would an Alternator be a better board for a low intermediate than the MB because of the rocker difference? Need something for +5ft. If the MB has the same aggressive rocker as the Taj I'm thinking the more user friendly Alternator is the right call for a hack?

[prjwebb]

The Alternator is going to be a more forgiving board, but I don't think the MB will be a difficult board to ride by any means. Sounds like its going to be a really good all rounder!

[core personal training]

you can split the difference with a flexfire...that is what you would call a "stock" shortboard...but the MB is looking good..!!...and the hellrazor...and...

[Wandi]

hey wandi, see below. A little pressed for time so I can't go super deep into it, but have a look.

-How does it compare to your other boards: The Michel what I would call an "all around high performance shortboard." You are riding it waist to overhead and a half, easily. it grovels like a CHAMP, seriously, you will be blown away riding it in small stuff and hooking it meaty stuff. It will likely steal a lot of my Alternator time.
-What waves does it work best: all kinds. Probably dislikes soft slopey waves the most, but you are on it in nearly anything over stomach high as long as there is a little push. Think waist to overhead and a half.
-Where would it sit in your quiver: My quiver has been adjusted after a period of experimentation. I ride a potato, elfuego, alternator, Michel, flexfire. My 510 Michel is good but the rail is too short for my preference. I will be getting a 600 when it comes in. boards are listed in order of surf size from small to big, but will likely bump my Alternator a bit.
-What are the main differences from the Taj pro ( I know MB fell for FW boards from riding a Taj): width and thickness and volume per unit length. Same rocker.
-As well as the best fin setup: varies from person to person, but all MB models will come in Futures as he is a team rider.
-Also can you order one with a spray: we don't currently offer custom spray jobs. we encourage folks to do that post purchase.

Cheers and hope thuds helps.

Thanks for your time Chris
Much appreciated

[kdropin]

yeah i'm liking the mb 6' with the 23/8 thickness....

chris have any more test runs on this fella?

one downside for me is i know NOTHING about futures

[prjwebb]

Could end up being an upside!

[kdropin]

ha possibly.. i don't know what i'm going to do .. so many really good looking boards.. like the mb alot.. with the ...lost mini driver as well as the rocket v2 i'm going to be lost trying to decide on something to be a board to complement my dominator

[core personal training]

i resisted futures, but nev was on them and happy, so that was good enough for me...wont get off them now..

[Fazza]

I have never used Future Fins before until I started riding Firewire surfboards........now i do not have any boards with FCS and won't go back to them.

[Fritzkat]

Thinking about the michel bourez MB_606Q 6' 6" 19 1/2" 2 13/16" 36.8L Squash.
Hows its rocker comparison, Will it be an easier paddle than the Hell fire? I have the Hell Fire 6-4 at 36.7L and I need to get it moving real fast on a glassy performance wave where is has no problems at speed and manuverability ~Love that board. Too bad the waves are subpar most of the time.
I weigh in at 200lbs, I am part Giraffe 6-6 with long legs, I have been really spoiled on the 6-4 Dominator 41.5L catching everything, guys in the water ask me all the time what I am riding lately. Dominator is great but I need that inbetween board for when its a little punchier but not quite HellFire glassy and hollow and more than the mushy light waves Dominator excels on.


I had posted this in another thread, but it was unaswered... any body?

[prjwebb]

I'd have thought the Michel Bourez board would be more suited to better waves than the Hellfire. Having not ridden one I couldn't say for sure, but the extra width in the Hellfire should give it an advantage.
That said, Chris said his 510 MB goes amazing from waist up to head and a half so maybe it does have more bottom end than you'd expect. Maybe that extra thickness in the MB gives it that extra scope.

[Chris]

Hey all,
yeah the Michel model, is a wider shorter high performance shortboard so its important to remember that you aren't going to be using this as a step up because it won't have the length. The hellfire has a unique shape with the diamond tail, and entry rocker, so I feel it goes exceptionally well in bigger surf. Look at the michel as being your go to shortboard in anything from waist up to whatever you are comfortable taking a slightly shortened squash into...

[Petoven]

Hello Chris: Could you be more specific on the rocker of the MB model?. You said on an earlier post it had the same rocker as the Taj model. The rocker on Taj is very pronounced, i couldn't ride it propperly. My 6,2 Taj was so sensitive i coul'dnt make a strong bottom, the board went faster on one side than me and i always ended with my mouth or back in the water.
You have to be almost a Pro to ride that kind of rocker. I want to know if this is the case of the MB.
Thanks!!!!

[surferireland]

Chris What is a good step up in your range? the only board I can see would be a flexfire but its too foiled and sensitive for me, Id like at least a 6'6 as a step up board but not sure which? I currently use a Wayne Lynch Surf Te.. 6'6 rounded pin tail for the bigger stuff. How about the Hellrazor in double to triple head?

[Chris]

It depends...the Hellfire is getting a lot of respect in bigger surf, but it still has a bit of hybrid DNA. I am a fan of the 602 Alternator round tail myself because I get bummed out with a ton of length and it really performs well!

[Wandi]

It depends...the Hellfire is getting a lot of respect in bigger surf, but it still has a bit of hybrid DNA. I am a fan of the 602 Alternator round tail myself because I get bummed out with a ton of length and it really performs well!

Hey Chris
Now that you have the 6'0 MB how does it compare to the 5'10 that you had
Is it treating you better
Did you go the lesser volumed 6'0 or the thicker one

[Chris]

Hey I actually have only ridden the thicker version but I will be buying the 600 thinner one and it will likely be my go to shortboard. it IS the board I have been wanting Firewire to make for a long time. So people my size don't have to get big flexfires for every day use.

for my style, preference, ability and weight, the 510 just had a tad too little rail. I know this because a lot of times, in average surf I was getting too much rail in the wave and losing speed. When I stepped up to the 600 it had just the right amount of additional length and surface area so instead of gouging and submerging my rail on a standard cutback,
it had that nice flow and connection. Speed was way better so everything felt sharper. Just floated a bit more than ideal....

hope this helps.

[prjwebb]

That thinner 6'0" is going to be a gem. It'll be my back up plan should I need to replace the Taj for sure!

[kdropin]

chris what fins you running on the mb??

been on the futures site trying to get familiar

[Petoven]

Hello Chris: Could you be more specific on the rocker of the MB model?. You said on an earlier post it had the same rocker as the Taj model. The rocker on Taj is very pronounced, i couldn't ride it propperly. My 6,2 Taj was so sensitive i coul'dnt make a strong bottom, the board went faster on one side than me and i always ended with my mouth or back in the water.
You have to be almost a Pro to ride that kind of rocker. I want to know if this is the case of the MB.
Thanks!!!!

[kdropin]

i saw the volume of the 6' 2 3/8 is now 27.7 how chippy do think this will feel? ride wise/paddling?? chris u have to give an extensive review once you get yours!

[prjwebb]

that 6'0" sounds perfect for our size kdropin. i find shortboards in the 18.75" range paddle and glide really well. I too look forward to Chris's ride report!

[Chris]

Hey petoven,
so the Michel is based on the Taj rocker but keep in mind that the nice and tail are both narrower on the taj, the board itself is narrower and has less volume, and the Taj also just has less area over all so its far more difficult to use. Rocker profile only tells part of the story as you also have to consider the board outline and all the benefits/draw of shape...

The Michel so happens to have a high performance rocker profile but it also has a much more user friendly template.

syeewww

[Petoven]

Thanks Chris, sounds like a perfect blend! Considering bringing some to Venezuela!
Regards

[iggy]

Going to Venezuela Petoven???? I'm from there!!!!

[iggy]

Used to surf on VERY regular basis at La Punta Los Caracas!!!.Almost got caught down there when the mudslides!!!. For some reason that morning my alar clock didn't ring so I woke up late and as I was on my way there at Tanaguarena the car in front of me got buried under a mudslide which forced us to go back and stay al Los Cocos

[prjwebb]

Wow, crazy story Iggy. Things like that are weird!

[iggy]

You have no idea. On that deserter more than 50.000 people died. The whole Coastline got morpheme. Billions of tons of mud,trees rocks...imagine there were rocks that needed to be dinamitated to be able to move them. Buildings with mud up to the 2nd floor. The worst came during the next 3 weeks... it was like the wild west.
I'm telling you, for some weird reason my alarm didn't ring at 4:30am as usual, ended up waking up at 6am

[core personal training]

wow iggy...you had a guardian angel there mate....

getting toey for a MB but just had hellfire on waist to occasional shoulder high super sucky freight trains over rocks...far out, flew through loose and free full speed into cutties into rip at end..fitted in the tight curves and allowed full movement..yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew

[iggy]

Niiiiiiiiice, here I'm going bananas. No surf for the last 2 weeks or so, there is not even snow to do kite so all I'm doing is washing and waxing the boards!!!!. Next week I'm going even if its only to paddle in the water...can't take it anymore

[core personal training]

hope you get swell mate...but get out and do paddle drills etc anyway...got to keep ya gills wet...!!

nn66, if you read this, today was like that tiny session we had last year..without the wind to hold you back and a bit suckier....these days i will take that over a big swell every time...total fun....and no one else bothers..!!..crew on peak getting junk and me yahoo-ing pretty much alone..

[Chris]

Iggy I have heard its been sad over there. Glad I missed this winter! crazy that there has been no snow!!

[iggy]

There has been nothing!!!!

[Chris]

bummer....little ones in maine yesterday I hear....but nothing major...

[prjwebb]

We had a shocking December bar a few days around Christmas, then January was a write-off too except the last few days. Feb's started with a few small but really clean days but the wind has gone Easterly and it's gotten cold. Waves look good for tomorrow though and Tues and Wed should be pumping. Hopefully we get loads of waves to make up for the start of Winter now.
http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/966f31ac4e7c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg
Nice frozen dog walk!

[iggy]

Was checking the cameras the whole day and looked pretty minimal. Can't wait for some good waves.Watching some videos in the meantime...some mental surfing time. Hey Chris did you receive my message?.

[prjwebb]

Michel model video

http://vimeo.com/36147422
sounds so fun. wannnnt

[Chris]

ha you are on it. just finished uploading it 20 mins ago.

[prjwebb]

ha i clicked on the vimeo link in the potato thread and saw it was there. good timing!

[core personal training]

me too....now do i go 2 7/16 or 2 11/16???..hmmmm how old am i feeling???

[hanaleisurfer]

Foaming in the mouth looking at this board!!!

[kdropin]

me too....now do i go 2 7/16 or 2 11/16???..hmmmm how old am i feeling???

same debate for me whether to go thicker or thinner on the 6'.. i'm leaning towards thinner..

[core personal training]

so your feeling young then..!

[kdropin]

ha not lately.. slap tear in my shoulder and a back issue but i always feel younger when i hit the water.. 33 going on 50

[Wandi]

ha i clicked on the vimeo link in the potato thread and saw it was there. good timing!

Could you post the link here Prj
Can't seem to find it

[Wandi]

Could you post the link here Prj
Can't seem to find it

Cancel that call
Found it
I can see why everyone is frothing

[Chris]

bummer kdropin, get better...

[kdropin]

thanks.. chris when are u expecting your thinned out mb? want reviews!

[iggy]

Let it heal properly!!!... or get a bigger board to paddle less!!!!;)
Hope you get better soon buddy

[core personal training]

k-drop...yeah go easy...i'm sitting the huuuuuuuge swell of last few days here out to favour my back so i know how ya feel...got a worse back than 60yo brickies laborer...!!!!!

[kdropin]

Let it heal properly!!!... or get a bigger board to paddle less!!!!;)
Hope you get better soon buddy

shoulder won't heal without surgery.. i've been dealing with it for over a year.. back is getting better. 9mo recovery time on the shoulder if i get it repaired. doc said if you can deal with it deal with it.. if not he'll sew it thing up

[Chris]

ohh bummer....well good luck no matter.

The thinned out MB is still a little bit out. I'll definitely post as soon as I have it though!!

Cheers

[kdropin]

yeah going with that one i think.. paddling doesn't hurt too much.. and all the physical therapy work i do probably has made me a stronger paddler believe it or not. i still do it just to stay in paddling shape

yeah def. let us know how it goes when you get it!