Oversizing the sweet potato disadvantages?

[jkryan]

What are the disadvantages to oversizing a sweet potato?
I have been considering the sweet potato for a while but, I'm having a hard time with wrapping my head around riding a 5'4 or 5'6.
I currently ride a 9'0 Takayama and really would like to change it up. The SP appeals to me for it's small wave ability and size. Traveling around with a 5'10 or 6'0 is a lot easier than my 9'0.

I don't have any interest in the addvance.

Good shape
Intermediate ability
6ft 175lbs
Surfing on the East Coast

[prjwebb]

I think the 5'6" would be plenty. If you go too big they get a bit awkward to turn as you need to surf over the tail and then reach the sweet spot for the front foot also.

[jkryan]

Thanks for the feedback. 5'6 still seems crazy short since a 6'6 is the smallest board I have been on before. My thought process on going a little bigger was to help with the transition from the longboard. I was thinking with going bigger I would be able to paddle faster and catch more waves. I knew I would sacrifice some of the turning ability but, when your usually dealing with a 9'0 X 22 X 2/7/8 the donwnside of going from a 5'6 to a 5'8 -6'0 was an after thought.

[prjwebb]

yeah i guess compared to a longboard it's still going to feel pretty free. i wouldn't go huge though. have you felt one in the flesh? they do pack a lot of foam! you could always do some cross stepping haha

[Goanna]

My mate got a 6 footer for the same reasons. He loves it. He was warned about the size but really wanted to ride it like a longboard so it hasn't been an issue for him.

[jkryan]

I have checked the SP out a few times and even 2 times last week. Everytime I go in thinking 1 thing and come out thinking another. Even considered picking up a mini simmons in 6'2-6'4 range but I keep coming back to the SP.

Goanna thanks for the feedback. To me it seems that most people want to go as small as possible with the potato family. I want to go small without the risk of getting something that will require a huge learning curve due to the wave quality where I live.

[hawaii_boi]

What are the disadvantages to oversizing a sweet potato?
I have been considering the sweet potato for a while but, I'm having a hard time with wrapping my head around riding a 5'4 or 5'6.
I currently ride a 9'0 Takayama and really would like to change it up. The SP appeals to me for it's small wave ability and size. Traveling around with a 5'10 or 6'0 is a lot easier than my 9'0.

I don't have any interest in the addvance.

Good shape
Intermediate ability
6ft 175lbs
Surfing on the East Coast

jkryan,
I too used to ride a 9'0 ITP Takayama and thought a 5'2 or 5'4 spud was waaaaay too small, BUT I was wrong! If we were the same height and weight, i would recommend the 5'2 but since you are 6ft, the 5'4 definitely...don't go bigger than that. I currently ride the 5'4 and it has tons of float. I catch waves knee to head high. The only advantages a longboard has over the spud is it can catch a wave way before it breaks and when you are trying to ride every bit of the ripple to shore! haha!

disadvantages to oversizing: you can't duck dive as deep and you can't bury the rail as easily because of all the volume.

ALOHA!!

[jkryan]

Hawaii_boi
Looks like you know exactly where I'm coming from. I checked the dims on the 6'6 I have ridden and it is exactly like the 5'6 but a foot shorter.
Thanks for the feedback

[iggy]

jkryan,
I too used to ride a 9'0 ITP Takayama and thought a 5'2 or 5'4 spud was waaaaay too small, BUT I was wrong! If we were the same height and weight, i would recommend the 5'2 but since you are 6ft, the 5'4 definitely...don't go bigger than that. I currently ride the 5'4 and it has tons of float. I catch waves knee to head high. The only advantages a longboard has over the spud is it can catch a wave way before it breaks and when you are trying to ride every bit of the ripple to shore! haha!

disadvantages to oversizing: you can't duck dive as deep and you can't bury the rail as easily because of all the volume.

ALOHA!!
Ditto

[fokaiHI]

i basically did the same thing. i was challenged by my cousins to surf v-land all winter, so i stopped longboarding. i went from a 9'0- 7'6 fun- 6'8 JK shape- 6'6 SF- 6'0 fish, 5'10 VG all since sept '12. its all about the paddle. if ur comfortable paddling the line up on a 5'4, then no problem, but if u want to catch waves and learn at the same time, it wont hurt to go a lil bigger. the resale of firewire is high, so u can definitely downsize quickly.

[fokaiHI]

btw, the 6'10 ADD paddles almost as good as any of my 9'0s

[hawaii_boi]

fokaiHI,
Ever since I dropped down from a 9'0 ITP longboard to a 5'4 spud, I've had to jock for position because the longboards and SUPers keep trying to catch all the waves. I'm able to compete most of the time :)

ALOHA!!

[fokaiHI]

hawaii_boi,
I know what u mean. SUP is like the worst. It makes me happy to see them so cold right now. I'm sure the spud can handle. for me, I'm use to having a lot of volume, so going a lil bigger works fine for me. i was really amazed again w the 5'6 PN on mon. it seemed easier to catch waves than my 5'10 VG.

[jkryan]

Any thoughts on going with a 5'10-6'0 PN over the SP? Looks like the volume is about the same and the paddling may be better on the PN.

[Chris]

a preference call. they both sick boards, the PN just gives you a few extra options having a narrower tail...

[onass]

Hey Guys,

I have a similar question to this post....

I am currently looking at getting a SP and have found one second hand cheap.

Problem is thats its 6'0 x 23 x 3 1/4. I am only 5'11 and weigh 165 lbs.. Would you advice going for this option or is it just going to be way too big? I'll mainly been using it for 1-3ft sloppy surf. I currently ride a 5'10 regular short board if this helps..

Let me know if it will be waste of money..

Owen

ps. sorry for the thread highjack

[prjwebb]

Big waste of money. Look for a 5'2

[Roger]

I am 6'3" and 210 lbs and the 6.0 SP is much too big for me. All that foam in a chubby short board is super slow for paddling.

[iggy]

Hey Guys,

I have a similar question to this post....

I am currently looking at getting a SP and have found one second hand cheap.

Problem is thats its 6'0 x 23 x 3 1/4. I am only 5'11 and weigh 165 lbs.. Would you advice going for this option or is it just going to be way too big? I'll mainly been using it for 1-3ft sloppy surf. I currently ride a 5'10 regular short board if this helps..

Let me know if it will be waste of money..

Owen

ps. sorry for the thread highjack
Too much volume for your frame!!!. 5'2" is the call, for sure the guy is selling cause he found it too big

[onass]

Big waste of money. Look for a 5'2

My thoughts exactly, Thanks for the confirmation guys!

[JohnNYC]

Hey Everyone. I also have a similar question to this post.

I'm to looking transition from a longboard to a shortboard and want to get a sweet potato. I've been surfing two years and currently ride a 9ft longboard. I live in New York and do most of my surfing on western Long Island where the waves are usually less than stellar. It does get big and hollow at times but small, mushy conditions are more the norm. I'm 32 years old, 5'10, 150lbs. I'm in good shape and I've gotten pretty serious about surfing as much as possible this past year (serious enough to be in the water in February at least).

My question of course is what length I should get. According to the Firewire volume calculator I should get a 5'8" (based on beg/int ability and avg fitness). While this seems like a safe choice I'm not sure it's the right one. I'm guessing it would paddle better than something shorter but I'm concerned about sacrificing maneuverability. Even though I know there'll be a learning curve I want to be able to ride this board the way its meant to be surfed and I'm willing to put in the time to learn. That being said I don't want to spend all my time just trying to catch waves on a board that's too short for my ability.

All of the previous posts encourage going shorter but it'd be great to hear people's opinions on what length they think would be right for me. Thanks.

[iggy]

Hey Everyone. I also have a similar question to this post.

I'm to looking transition from a longboard to a shortboard and want to get a sweet potato. I've been surfing two years and currently ride a 9ft longboard. I live in New York and do most of my surfing on western Long Island where the waves are usually less than stellar. It does get big and hollow at times but small, mushy conditions are more the norm. I'm 32 years old, 5'10, 150lbs. I'm in good shape and I've gotten pretty serious about surfing as much as possible this past year (serious enough to be in the water in February at least).

My question of course is what length I should get. According to the Firewire volume calculator I should get a 5'8" (based on beg/int ability and avg fitness). While this seems like a safe choice I'm not sure it's the right one. I'm guessing it would paddle better than something shorter but I'm concerned about sacrificing maneuverability. Even though I know there'll be a learning curve I want to be able to ride this board the way its meant to be surfed and I'm willing to put in the time to learn. That being said I don't want to spend all my time just trying to catch waves on a board that's too short for my ability.

All of the previous posts encourage going shorter but it'd be great to hear people's opinions on what length they think would be right for me. Thanks.
How's your level as far as surf goes? Any problems popping up and going down the line?. Have you tried any shortboards before?. Have you taken a look at the potatonator?. Pretty sweet board as well

[JohnNYC]

How's your level as far as surf goes? Any problems popping up and going down the line?. Have you tried any shortboards before?. Have you taken a look at the potatonator?. Pretty sweet board as well


I feel really comfortable popping up and going down the line, left or right. I've been working at getting better at maneuvering on the wave but I'm not doing cutbacks. I haven't had the opportunity to try a shortboard before. I rode a 7ft board in Costa Rica back in November and felt completely comfortable on it. I know the transition to something under 6ft would be more difficult though.

[iggy]

@150lbs, even the 5'4" will be tons of volume for you. At this point the length will be issue here. I remember when I got my first potato it was a 5'6", and @187lbs it felt like a boat to me. It floated me more than enough, paddle the crap like a dream but wasn't moving enough,hence I changed it for a 5'2".
Given that you have already made up your mind for the potato, I believe the 5'4" will be sort of a good compromise. Again this is only because you have already made your mind for it, I would rather go for something a little more transitional...

[kdropin]

5'4 at 165 feels like a boat to me.. but still fun

[fokaiHI]

@ JohnNYC- until this past sept, i never rode a board under 9ft. i've been in the water my whole life from bodysurfing to longboarding. i know i can ride boards under 5'10 w less volume and all that, but the difference between myself and a person who rode a short board the whole time is that i'm accustomed to riding w more volume. it might b the same for u too. u are pretty lite tho, but r taller as well so i dont know if i'd go 5'4 for my first shortboard. i will say that once u get use to 7ft board, it gets just as easy to trim down from there. depending how much water time is the key. i surf a lot and the transition was probably quicker for me than most. firewires r easy to resell, as long as they're not bigger than 6ft. dont get me wrong tho, ur going to surf whatever u buy, big or small, but u shud try to demo some first to see where ur skill level is to see what volume u like.

[JohnNYC]

150lbs, even the 5'4" will be tons of volume for you. At this point the length will be issue here. I remember when I got my first potato it was a 5'6", and 187lbs it felt like a boat to me. It floated me more than enough, paddle the crap like a dream but wasn't moving enough,hence I changed it for a 5'2".
Given that you have already made up your mind for the potato, I believe the 5'4" will be sort of a good compromise. Again this is only because you have already made your mind for it, I would rather go for something a little more transitional...

I wouldn't say that I've made my mind up about getting this board. I have decided that I would like to be able to surf a shorter board in a more aggressive style but I'm definitely open to suggestions about how to get to that point and which board will help me get there. The reason I gravitated towards the Sweet Potato was that it's able to be ridden in small, mushy conditions and still be very responsive. I don't know if this is the best thread for it but I'm totally open to suggestions.

[iggy]

I hear ya, the issue with the potato family is that they pack lots of volume, which makes them float a lot even on the smaller sizes. I know you have discarted the addvance already but at this point I will point you towards the dominator or potatonator, both very user friendly boards, alowing you to go a bit longer keeping an adequate volume. Besides you are still keeping the longboard for those really small days right

[hawaii_boi]

JohnNYC,

If you want to surf more aggressively, go with the Baked Potato (BP). With your weight, the 5'1 BP would be good. A 5'3" won't hurt either...the extra volume should allow you to catch those weak waves you talk about very easily. Go to the store and see which board size calls to you first! haha!

ALOHA!!

[Fishkev]

I ride a 6'0 Sweet Potato and find the size works really well for me. I am 61 years old and weigh around 165 pounds. I catch a ton of waves on the board . My other board is a 6'10 Addvance which I ride in bigger waves

[hawaii_boi]

@fishkev, what is the trick to duck diving with a bigger sweet potato??

ALOHA!!

[fokaiHI]

@hawaii_boi 20g/ protein per hour, 2 b12 shots 6 hours apart, an HgH program and King Kong Arms. lol

[hawaii_boi]

@hawaii_boi 20g/ protein per hour, 2 b12 shots 6 hours apart, an HgH program and King Kong Arms. lol

@fokaiHI, i was thinking maybe turtle but that will definitely work too! haha!

ALOHA!!

[Pjr808]

Hawaii boi / fokaihi I'm 5'11 190 looking for a 5'6 should that be a good size for me? Have any of seen a fst model around town mahalo.

[hawaii_boi]

Prj808, where do you plan to use the potato? if you are at least an intermediate surfer you could actually go 5'4". If not, the 5'6 should be OK but don't go bigger than that. If you look at everyone's signatures you will notice they ride small potatoes. I'm 5'8 170-175 lbs and I can ride a 5'2 sweet.

I haven't seen FST models lately...most people rocking RapidFire for some reason. Summer is coming up and new board models are coming in so we will probably see more FW boards for sale soon.

ALOHA!!

[fokaiHI]

i see a guy at DH w a FSTSP. he seems to like it a lot. personally i like to go a size bigger cus im comfortable burying the rail on any size. when i undersize i tend to slide a lot. FST is awesome tho. that wud b my determining factor between the BP, SP, and PN. else i have to wait for the WOODY BP. looks like i'll wait till i find out when Hawaii is getting the V4.

[Pjr808]

Prj808, where do you plan to use the potato? if you are at least an intermediate surfer you could actually go 5'4". If not, the 5'6 should be OK but don't go bigger than that. If you look at everyone's signatures you will notice they ride small potatoes. I'm 5'8 170-175 lbs and I can ride a 5'2 sweet.

I haven't seen FST models lately...most people rocking RapidFire for some reason. Summer is coming up and new board models are coming in so we will probably see more FW boards for sale soon.

ALOHA!!

I will be riding that Potato mostly at ala moana / ewa beach area . I think I could go smaller but the 5'6" looks good in FST, I had 2 much problems with the bamboo RF. Been surfing for around 20 years

[hawaii_boi]

@Prj808, extra volume wont hurt especially if you plan to catch waves on the smaller side. have fun!!

[qatarjames]

hey guys...hope all you potato lovers are well. So i am 78kgs and i got the 5'10 sweet potato, reason being that i like surfing as much as possible BUT i mainly surf in the middle east...yes qatar and dubai! NOT famous places but we get a lot of little waves. Any STOKE time is fun with friends.
i find the 5'10 floaty sure, but i love catching loads of waves..if i lived where better waves were..then i would go smaller for sure. I do also have a 7'4 mini mal and a 6'3 aloha bean future flex which is my real wave board for traveling.
have a look at my little video made in the wave pool in UAE..im riding my potato for the first time ever, i tried 2 sets of fins- standard quad ones i got with the board and some controller quads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z73aaaidSfU

keep surfing, have fun

[hawaii_boi]

@qatarjames! Cool vid! Did you take a camera shot from shore too? mix those footages together and your vid will be more sick!

ALOHA!!

[qatarjames]

aloha hawaii, no extra shots but yeah in my head i wanted different shots from different angles but only had the go pro, plus the girlfriend (the poor thing) she sat at that park for hours letting me surf, but its on the cards again to go back, i just enjoyed riding and feeling the wave,

[hawaii_boi]

@qatarjames, your girlfriend would make a great camera woman!! It's a win win situation for everyone! :D

ALOHA!!

[Chris]

well played!