Spitfire or Hellfire???

[crazylegs]

Hey Nev/anybody...
Im looking for a bit of guidance with buying a firewire board. I have never owned one but like all I have read and heard about them so have decided to make one my next purchase. Anyways, I am 6'1" and 84kgs and my long term shortboard in the UK was a 6'3" x 18.5 x 2.5 and was a well rounded board which was awesome at any location I used it, beachies, pointbreaks whatever. I used it in 6'-8' surf max and it wasnt the best paddler at that size but felt comfortable once riding. I moved to Perth West Oz and hadnt surfed for a while so bought a 6'6" da lewy thinking the surf would be more powerful and the extra float would do me good except Perth is pretty poor for surfing and felt like a boat! It is great in bigger surf 8'-10' (south west wa) but very directional.
Im moving to the East coast soon around Newcastle and want a new board, something that would allow me to catch a heap of waves from waist high to the 6-8 foot range. I will use the 6'6" if it get a bit bigger.
I want something that is fun to surf and suits my preferred power turn style rather than snappy tight turns and loose surfing. I havent really surfed much at all in the last 2-3 years so I wouldnt mind a fairly forgiving board with a bit of paddle, but something that will perform as I get back into it after a while. The Dominator was an option but I feel I may want to progress onto a more higher performance after a while so I looked at the Spitfire. Then I thought how will it go in good solid 4-6 foot surf, will it be too wide and small? So im also considering the Hellfire! Im really not sure which one will be the more versatile and bet 'one board for all conditions' (up to 6-8'). Im looking at the 6' SPitfire and the 6'2" Hellfire, are these even the right sizes I should be looking at? The 5'10" could also be a goer? I am more inclined to the SPitfire for some reason.
Also which fins are best all round. Im maybe looking at the FCS PC-7's, SF-4's or the K3's. They are all a little different but which are more suited to a thruster setup on the Spitfire (that is the board I do end up getting).
Ive just noticed this is a massive long winded lifestory but I sure aint re writing it now!
Any help would be great from people who know these boards well.
Cheers

[Chris]

Hey Crazylegs,
IT sounds like you are after a single horse, a board that can kind of do it all. In my opinion, one of the most versatile boards in our lineup is the Hellfire. It goes well in smaller surf but it also can handle a bigger wave. it certainly isn't a shortboard so its going to paddle well!! That being said its not a super small wave board like a potato. So I guess the most important thing to do is to identify which wave type you want to address then go from there!!! For the range you mention, the Hellfire is a great option.

Cheers!

[crazylegs]

Hey Chris,

Yeah I guess I would like a go to board that gets me plenty of waves from 2-6' at a push no matter what the break (will be 70% beachies) and is more fun than high performance orientated but can still perform when needed. I was thinking of using my 6'6" for the 6'+ range or when the smaller board gets a little uncomfortable.
But....I keep looking through the range and keep getting new ideas! If I were thinking of getting 2 new boards in the long term, maybe a 6'/5'10" Spitfire and eventually a second board 6'2" Hellfire or 6'3" Hellrazor if the SF and HF are too similar?
If I was to get just one board, I agree that the HF does seem the better option, but will it still be fun and to a degree forgiving to surf rather than high performance and frustrating in small to medium, less than perfect surf?
It seems Im looking for the perfect board...but arent we all?!
Thanks
Phil

[core personal training]

i'm near newy...get the hellfire...if you go low volume your upper limit performance will be mind blowing...if you go up a notch you will grovel better...i've ridden mine everyday since they came out...pulled out a longer board on a couple of serious days but rode the HF even on some of those just to get my jolly's....

[core personal training]

just read the "power not snappy" part...chris, razor maybe???

[Slowman]

For one board for everything my pick would be the hellfire. While the spitfire is good its limitation, in comparison to the hellfire, is the take off, just because of the flatter rocker and fuller nose. Indeed I am faced with the same choice in another location as it is time to update the Webber afterburner at the inlaws.

[crazylegs]

Yeah the more I look into the Hellfire the more inclined I am towards it...My old shortboard was 6'3"x18.5x2.5 (unknown volume) which I loved and is pretty close to the 6'2" Hellfire bar a little more width and due to it not being a full on performance board could be a bit forgiving with me getting back into surfing day in day out again. Man, ive gone from the Dominator to the Spitfire to the Hellfire! Whats next?!
Where do you live near Newy? Im hoping to move to Nelson Bay area. Also what fins do you use on the HF?
Cheeeeers.

[Slowman]

And maybe if you want longer turns then use either the GAM or K3 thruster set or GAM/Q1000 or GMB/Q1000 (Mayhem) quad set in the hellfire. My pick would be the GAMs.

[hwork50]

Slowman, what would you recommend for the Future set up? Would the Am2's be the equivalent? Do you think I could use Am1's in the back and AM2's in the front. I surfed it last night like that and it went pretty good in 4-7 foot.

[core personal training]

fcs am's are large and the am2 are smaller (med)...in futures its reversed....am1 is medium and am2 is large....

[Slowman]

Slowman, what would you recommend for the Future set up? Would the Am2's be the equivalent? Do you think I could use Am1's in the back and AM2's in the front. I surfed it last night like that and it went pretty good in 4-7 foot.

I'm an FCS man and don't know the Futures fin range well, you'll have to learn to google old son! But if the futures AM2/AM1 combination works for you, well and good.

[buzzy]

I can't make a call between the Spitfire and Hellfire as I haven't ridden a Hellfire. However, like you I like carved "power" turns. I'm using GAM's and PC7's in FCS and like them both. Either would do great. Also, the "Occy" Kinetic Racing fins could be worth considering. I have my eyes on a set at some point.

I'll likely be ordering or buying a Hellfire myself next week @6'4" for a step up from my Dom. I could give you more detailed thoughts then but I'd have thought a HF would cover most waves from waist high to 2 x overhead from reports. I sufpect though you'd need reasonable paddle fitness to work at waist high, which is maybe 1 in 5 surfing days.

[hwork50]

Oh yes I am very familiar with that. It is a tough call because usually I like to go with people's advice over just a general google search. I wanted something close the K2.1's and I think the AM2's are pretty close. I am an FCS guy as well, so you are preaching to the choir.

[core personal training]

if you mean futures am2 then they are not like the 2.1's....the closest futures are the wct's...but for me they have a little less to push off so are no good to me...in normal tails i have found the jc's take what i liked about the 2.1's and extend that...

[core personal training]

on a 510 hf the simon sa3 is a perfect match...am2's rake clashes a bit...opens arcs up a tad but you lose reaction time and freedom..

[hwork50]

Ok, Ill have to check those out. I went to my local surf shop and they recommended the AM2's saying that this was the fin for this particular board. Kind of bummed as I only got the thruster set-up as I rode it as a quad and quiet enjoyed it. If fins were not 100- a set I think I would be apt to buy a few more sets.

Core, could you recommend a god five fin set-up in the futures option for the Hellfire? I am 185 lb and really like having a quad option as well as the thruster set-up. I surf quads better than thrusters, not sure why.

Thanks,

Brent

[core personal training]

work...i went with Nev's choices on his 510...even with our different weights (70/90).. i got the sa rears to go with the thrusters..they are large rears so great for forehand down the line stuff but maybe get smaller rears for backhand or pockets...have to say though, that i dont like fourfins as a rule...he also liked the pancho's and am2's..am2's might mesh better with your longer board, but for me they take away the point of the 510 in most conditions...at least the techflex did...maybe a softer flex???...if slowman likes a rakey fin in his 602 then maybe the am2's will suit...i'm not sold on them in techflex though..a little unresponsive..

crazylegs....i'm on the cenny coast ...these days i'm surfing on the uninhabited stretches south of newy....there's some good waves around nelson bay...often empty too...!!..make yourself known when you get over here..

[crazylegs]

Cool, thanks for the input guys....Hellfire it is then. Now its just which size (been covered a million times before I know but not my weight/size) I am currently 83kg but go up to 85kgs on a bad day and 6'1" tall. The volume calculator is telling me I sit betweem 29.6 and 38.4L which would make the 6'2" at 33.7 a good choice? I could probably push it at the 6' but I would rather have slightly too much foam than too little...Im a definite intermediate surfer.
Next, fins...the GAM's seem a pretty decent choice, as do the SA-2 and the PC7. As I said, I will never be the best surfer on the water so any choice would be a decent one I think.

I would like to trade my current board in too and get either the Spitfire, Dominator or even the El Fuego (order of preference) and feel these 2 boards would be an awesome pairing which would cover nearly all conditons. If I were to go the 6'2" HF, i guess the SF 6' (34.9) or even the 5'10" at a push (33.5) would be the way to go?
I want to keep the volumes pretty similar I think?
Are these 2 boards HF and SF a good choice or are they too similar and would the same fins work on both boards?
Cheers

[prjwebb]

I'd put you after the 6'0" HF personally. It packs a lot of foam.
You know yourself best though, but try to feel both up and see which feels right. I think the 6'2" might feel huge.

HF/SF is a good little quiver and it should be a fairly smooth transition between boards, but there would be a bit of overlap there also.

[Slowman]

Crazylegs, for the suggested volume range 6'2 hellfire and 6'0 spitfire are in the middle. If the spitfire is going to be for smaller waves then having a little more volume than the hellfire isn't a bad thing. In smaller or softer waves it will help catch more.

For fins, I like the Rusty quads they are nice and loose while still having drive and tons of speed. I use them in both the hellfire and spitfire. The K2.1 quads are ok too but I think I like the Rusty fins better.

[crazylegs]

Yeah the 6'2" HF and 6'0" SF are right in the middle/playing it safe area...I guess I could wonder forever and really need to go and pick the boards up for myself to know for sure as you suggest prjwebb. I do think that after a few months and once im dialled I may wish I went a size smaller....
What do you weigh slowman? Ive just noticed that you have the boards that I am looking at, good choice size wise and board type? Maybe the SF would overlap a little. Dominator could be a better choice.
Thanks for fin advice too, I can be a bit of a cheapskate and one set of fins for them both would be good!

[Slowman]

I weigh 90kg crazylegs. Yes there is a bit of overlap between the SF and the HF which I like, so for medium size waves it doesn't really matter which board I have. When you are time poor sometimes the wrong choice of board means no time or hardly any if you have to go back home to change them. Again being time poor I actually have 2 sets of Rusty R2s!

The dominator and the spitfire are a 100% overlap with the spit having slightly sharper performance which I prefer, the dom is still good as a backup for the spit in case something happens.

[crazylegs]

The SF and the HF seem to be my choice... If you are 90kgs slowman and on the 6' and 6'2" respectively then the 5'10" and 6' seem a good choice to me (85kgs on fat days) and I'm also inclined towards the GAMs. Sounds good to everyone?
I actually spoke to my mate earlier who has a 5'10" dominator (didn't even know) and he's around 80kgs...he reckons the 5'10" is plenty foamy enough for him, loves it and he doesn't surf all that often. I'm gonna try it out this Saturday so I will know more then...maybe I wont give it back! Haha

[Chris]

uh oh. crazylegs might have stickyfingers.

[crazylegs]

Maybe sticky pants after Saturday!

[Chris]

ohh look, my lunch came up.

[prjwebb]

Hahaha, core has been out done here.

[Slowman]

The SF and the HF seem to be my choice... If you are 90kgs slowman and on the 6' and 6'2" respectively then the 5'10" and 6' seem a good choice to me (85kgs on fat days) and I'm also inclined towards the GAMs. Sounds good to everyone?
I actually spoke to my mate earlier who has a 5'10" dominator (didn't even know) and he's around 80kgs...he reckons the 5'10" is plenty foamy enough for him, loves it and he doesn't surf all that often. I'm gonna try it out this Saturday so I will know more then...maybe I wont give it back! Haha
For the GAMs you are talking about a thruster set, right? Because I can tell you I found the GAM/Q1000 quadset far too stiff for the dominator.

[core personal training]

Hahaha, core has been out done here.
you mean creepy wise..???...nah...i still win....
520

[crazylegs]

Well, I went to the surf shop today to check the boards out. They had what I was looking for 6'0 Dominator and 6'2 Hellfire. No Spitfire to compare the Dom with though but I get the general idea.
The Dom looked awesome and I think im pretty set on that one for sure. The 6'0 felt like a good size for me too, not too big at 85kgs.
The Hellfire looked good, but i was surprised how deep the double concaves and prominent the spine was all the way down. I am really into the build quality/durability of the Firewires and with the Dominator/Spit probably being my go to board its a dead set buy. But next to the Hellfire was an Al Merrick Fred Rubble 6'2x19.5x2.5 (31.6v)which I must say looked pretty good too. Its a bit narrower than the HF which is 6'2x20 1/4x2.5 (33.7v) but the volume is further forward and the nose rocker a little less but tail slightly more. The bottom is also double concaved but very subtle down towards the fin area where is is a little more evident.
In all honesty, I do like the look of both of them but the sublty of the Fred Rubble did slightly push me towards it a bit more...
Does anybody have an opinion on this board (Fred Rubble) and would it be fairly similar to the Hellfire? I know this site is a Firewire site but honesty would be appreciated...
Cheers fellas

[buzzy]

Al Merrick doesn't make bad boards, but I know nothing about that model.

[prjwebb]

seems to be the board that a lot of the CI team have been using since it was created. got to be a good one if you're after traditional construction board.

[crazylegs]

Nice selling point prjwebb! But you're right, the durability of the FireWire boards is something that made me look towards them in the first place. I am dead set on the spitfire now so I may just get that and see how I feel a month or two down the line. I will have lived on the easy coast of oz for a little while then and got a feel for the breaks, the swell would have started to pick up by then too. I may find a completely different board suitable by then....at least with the spit I know it's a safe pick and will get used everyday from 2' up to 6'. Sounds like a good plan? I think so!

[Slowman]

...
Does anybody have an opinion on this board (Fred Rubble) and would it be fairly similar to the Hellfire? I know this site is a Firewire site but honesty would be appreciated...
Cheers fellas

The Fred Rubble bottom contours and even the planshape, except for the tail, look similar to the kingpin. It has a nice look about it all right. Assuming it goes similar to the kingpin (single to double with vee off the tail) it will be loose and fast but I can tell you the hellfire is faster and while I wouldn't say looser it really accelerates out of turns, which I think is a combination of the HF's deep concaves and flex pattern. I also love the bite of the HF tail's diamond and step down rails, it goes where you point it and you can carve and hack with confidence virtually anywhere on a wave and just has the edge over the kingpin in that respect.

[crazylegs]

Thanks Slowman...Why cant choosing a board be simple! There are just so many out there that are so similar. I have never seen the kingpin for real but have just checked it out on the js site and it does look pretty good too. Would I be right in saying the HF would enable you to get away with a few mistakes in the turns over the others due to the speed and acceleration out of turns? The deeper concaves will allow for the speed and acceleration right? But will they make it a bit less stable through a turn? Twitchy like...
I think its gonna be the Spitfire for now and take it from there (btw a site called surf science rated the Dom the best board of 2011, is the Spit quite new? It wasnt on the list at all). Basically, from the Spitfire I want a step up board for larger, cleaner surf which you dont have to be Kelly Slater to surf. I cant make my mind up about which one but I must say, this forum has got to be one of the best places for info and answers around.
Cheers guys....

[buzzy]

Within the FireWire family there are a number of choices for a step up from the spitfire but for most mortal humans I reckon the realistic choice is between the quadrafive, alternator, hellfire and hell razor. An argument could probably be made for the MB too but I suspect that is better placed in the company of the Taj and Flexfire, which I think would be super sensitive boards and frankly having more detriments than positives for an average strong surfer.

Of the realistic choices I reckon, based on the superlative feedback on it, the Hellfire is the most likely pick, or if you are after a more traditional shortboard look and feel, the Alternator.

I personally love my Dom and Alt. both amazing boards and good compliments to each other.

[Slowman]

The Hellfire is a very natural step up from the Spitfire for me. Not sure when the spitfire came out but it might be recent as someone mentioned the other day on a thread it never appeared with a pressure release valve, which they eliminated in the last 12 months I think. The speed of the HF's turns and its ability to do tight snaps don't make it unstable in my experience.

[crazylegs]

Ive just ordered my 6' Spitfire today which should be ready to pick up once I arrive on the east coast. Awesome!! I just hope its not too big...
Like I said, Im gonna wait a while before getting the second board, but ive given the Fred Rubble the elbow. It doesnt seem to be exactly what Im after.
Also, whilst not a bad choice, the Hellfire does seem a bit close to ths Spitfire in some ways so that may not be an option any longer. Instead, the Alternator seems to be a good step up for when the waves are a little bigger and better. It is seems very close to the Al Merrick Flyer (opinions?) which is an option, but the durability of the Firewire is edging that race, plus it would be good to have 2 firewires!....thats not for a little while anyways.

6'0" Spitfire and 6'2" Alternator. The best 2 board combo to cover it all? Probably.....

[buzzy]

Sounds good to me. 6'2" or 6'4" on the Alt I'd say.

[core personal training]

i've ridden both the alt and the other one in 6'4 in the same session...i dont want to talk down a shapers work....both target the same market more or less...ignoring the superior strength longevity and flex the alt gives you and just looking at shape, one is cumbersome and does not feel HP at all, very '80's in a clunky way, the other hits the bullseye and is user friendly, has the benefit of foam, stability and paddles easily while still surfing as HP as most would be capable of......i own a 604 alternator....so does the owner of the other board after testing mine...

[core personal training]

watch the 604 alt if you are not heavy and/or powerful....it still catches me with too much foam in serious sections sometimes...thats at 90kg+...the planshape and rocker do a great job here...a moderate volume will go a long way....if i wanted to tear up on it, i would have 6'0...to make it a bit easier i would have a 6'2...i got the 6'4 for when i was 95+ and wanted to give my back an easy ride...if i hammer it, it still goes nuts though..!!!

[core personal training]

the hellfire is not really like the spit..yes, it was born of its loins, but thats all...(this assumes you ride it as small as possible) you would not ride a spit in real waves in place of your full comp board...the hellfire though, i have ridden everyday since its birth...and i DO NOT ride hybrids......i have only ridden a full HP 2 or 3 times since...and i ride good waves...keep the HF and HR in your mix

[iggy]

Amen to that core!

[crazylegs]

Great, just when i had my mind made up! Aaagggghhhh!

[core personal training]

ha...sorry mate....what are you stuck with now????..we will see if we can confuse you more..!!

[iggy]

ha...sorry mate....what are you stuck with now????..we will see if we can confuse you more..!!
jajajaja Core being Core!!!!
Crazylegs let us know what is troubling your sleep at this point

[crazylegs]

haha! well, I was decided on the 6'0 Spitfire (ordered) and the 6'2 Hellfire. Now I think I would like something more 'like a shortboard' for when I step up and was thinking about the 6'2 Alternator. Now Core is saying he swears by the HF and thats great as a HP board....
Thing is, im hardly in the upper echelon of surfers on the water and if the Hellfire is still HP to a degree but still easier and more forgiving than the Alternator for example, then it does seem like a very good option.
But...I will get back into the swing of things (havent surfed regularly for 5 years, prob 3 times in past 2! Living in WA I am a very competent windsurfer in the waves though) I would like something that will push me and really rip on the good days. Thats where I think of the ALternator.
Newcastle will rarely be over 8' so that will probably be the biggest surf I would be out in.....
Discuss...

[core personal training]

ok, so, unless your busting for the hperf now, i would tune in to the spit...see what's what...volume, shape, likes-dislikes..etc...then you'll know how to scale up the other boards...plus if you get back in regularly, you may improve enough to not need as much board in the others...

[crazylegs]

Yeah, thats pretty sound advice and is what I will probably do for now anyways...unless I give into temptation! When you say I may not need as much board in the others I presume you are on about going down in size? 6' Alt or HF maybe...

[core personal training]

just thinking if you get back up to speed you may find you "outgrow" the spit in a 6'0...if that is the case, then scaling up the others off it will throw them all out of whack...it will be great for getting you back in the swing of it...as you get your game back you will know if its still fine or a bit too much foam...if thats the case then you may end up on a 6'0 hf and 6'2 alt or similar in a hellrazor

[crazylegs]

Yeah I was in 2 minds whether to go 5'10 Spitfire. The 6' will be good for a while but will possibly be too big... thats why I want a 2nd, more HP board to use for head high and above and save the Spit for the lame/summer days. I still think the Spit will get plenty of use when I get my game back as it sounds so much fun, its just the 6' may seem a little large by then but hopefully still ok.

[core personal training]

lets just make sure the more HP board is not over foamed...

[buzzy]

To be honest, I reckon a 6'0" board is small for an 85kg bloke who hasn't surfed in 3 years except on rare occasions. Not to say it won't work, but I reckon it's far off generously foamed. I'd say 6'0" to 6'2" is about the money for a competent but not ripping surfer on that board. If they're after lower volume they're either masochists or better than average at that weight, IMHO.

[core personal training]

yeah...if we are talking about the spit, i think he is looking at something that wont be so big he has to get rid of it when he gets back in the swing of it...if he has been windsurfing waves his re-learning curve will probably be quicker than most....i agree a bigger spit would be better short term, but afterwards may need to be sold off...also it is a wide flat stable design...

[crazylegs]

I can see where you're coming from buzzy and share your opinion to a degree. On the other hand, core is right in saying a 6'2 may be too big down the line and a bit frustrating...
I'm confident I will get back into it fairly soon, I was a fairly decent surfer before and rode a 6'3 x 18.5x2.5 and whilst it's fairly thick, this board was 5-6 years ago so had the narrower nose and was a more performance board. I certain think it was less than the 34.6 litres that the spitty is. The volume calculator states my upper limit is around 38 l and lower around 29 I think.
Too late now anyways, I've already ordered it! Haha

[buzzy]

It all depends on what you're used to and prefer, and the intended use for the board. I see a Spitfire/Dom as a small to medium wave board. So if it gets to 3 foot (ie head high) you move to a traditional shortboard. Some folk see it as their "everything" board. If so you'd probably ride it a tad smaller, but not much, imho. I also think they'd be better off getting a second board such as a Hellfire for those better waves but some people only want one board, and if so fair enough. If it was me getting only one board though it'd be the Hellfire.

I'm 46yoa and surf a 6'4" Dom at 90kg. I really don't feel it is overvolumed at all as a small medium wave board, and that would put you on a 6'2" for similar use for similar preferences at 85kg. I've always said I could surf a 6'2" at a pinch, just losing a touch of useability at the bottom end. So that would suggest a 6'0" is entirely reasonable for you.

At your weight the buyers guide puts you on a 6'0" Spit or a 6'2" Dom. No idea why the guide recommends different lengths for these two virtually identical boards but there goes. Definitely if you are getting either of those boards I don't think you'll be feeling overvolumed. Indeed, the difference between the two is only 3 litres, so not much. And since you're coming off a board with really low volume the 6'0" will probably feel super floaty by comparison. I'd simply say you are heading up to the right volume!

I'd personally suggest the 6'2" as I reckon after a long time out of the water the extra (and it's not much) foam will be of real assistance. I don't find its the surfing skills which suffer so much after time out of the water, but paddling and all round fitness. As youre surfing got back you can simply trade the 6'2" to a smaller board if you felt it hindering your performance. But the 6'0" will do you fine. There's not an enormous amount of difference between the two. Indeed there's bugger all difference between the 5'10" and the 6'0" as well (1 litre) so it's really a struck match between them but that goes both ways - there's not really going to be a significant performance advantage of a 5'10" over a 6'0".

It's a personal bug bear undervolumed boards. My personal view is people too often ride boards with insufficient foam. You see it all the time with people with no drive to their turns...often they're the ones standing in the pocket (if they haven't missed the wave or are caught behind the whitewater) wiggling. Argh, I truly hate that sort of insipid surfing, which (imho) is mainly because of riding inappropriate boards. They haven't got enough speed to drive a proper turn because their boards are too small.

true enough you see great surfers surfing smaller boards. But that's the thing...they're great surfers. Unless you're surfing every day or near enough I just don't think surfing particularly small boards is of much benefit to anyone. And if youre an excellent surfer surfing every day you aren't coming to these fora for suggestions - in Oz you're likely bouncing ideas off the local crew and/or boardriders.

[Slowman]

Since it is all after the fact ie. you've placed the order, right? I think the 6'0 Spit will be good for you Crazylegs, I'm 90kg and in my own mind (LOL) I'm advanced and find the 34.9L is great and my 6'2 Hellfire at 33.7L doesn't feel any less floatation wise. I think Core's advice to make sure the next board (another HF vote here) is not over volumed, is worthwhile, but just bare in mind he rides lower than the volume calculator suggests. Even if you find the 6'0 Spit is a bit much further down the road it will only feel like that as the wave size increases overhead and the solution is the "next board" and the spitfire will still make an excellent small wave board from knee high to chest high. I feel I could probably go with a 5'10 Spitfire at 33.5L but 6'0/34.9L isn't a hinderance for the waves I ride it in. Anything decent and I'm riding my HF.

[buzzy]

I think slowman captured what I was trying to say in less words, and better!

[crazylegs]

I've just noticed that the upper volume on the calculator is the optimum for hybrids, didn't realise that...mine is 38l which is more the 6'2 area. At 34.6 the 6' ain't far off and hopefully will be ok, I'm sure I will be fine. 85kg factors in my wetsuit too, plus my fitness is good swimming 2k+ at least once a week on top of other things...I reckon I will probably come back as a low/mid intermediate, and
I probably won't go out if it's smaller than waist height so there should be enough paddle and float for me in the 6'.

[crazylegs]

Think we can get it to a 7 page thread? Ha!

[Danga]

Think we can get it to a 7 page thread? Ha!

Yes I think we can.
I was going to get a 6' Hellfire but as I seem to be staying at 88-89Kg instead of dropping to 84-85Kg I think I will go with a 6'2 Hellfire. I have a 6' Dom which I love in smaller waves up to head high (just got some Simon thruster fins, Large size.The larger fin (used to have G5's) seem to make my board go better.) I also have a 6'6 flexfire for extra big days (12-16 foot faces,any bigger these days I probably wouldn't go out unless perfect.Not fit enough.)
I think the 6'2 Hellfire would fill in the gap (Head high to 12 faces) nicely. I also think the extra 2" would help me paddle a bit better as I get a bit older (not necessarily wiser).

[crazylegs]

Yesssssss! #7
I can take comfort in knowing a bigger dude rides a 6' and is fine. Fed up of watching what I eat. Indian takeaway it is tomorrow night me thinks!
The 6'2 HF or Alt will prob be the step up size for me too...wait until I'm back up to slater level before that decision is made though.

[Chris]

good stuff! pretty much EVERYONE can surf like slater.

[crazylegs]

Picked up the spitfire today! Brought home the 6' but think I would have gone the 5'10 if it was available. Opted for the k3 thrusters and hope to get the k2.1 quad set pretty soon, cannot wait until tomorrow! Surf is pumping at the moment, just hope it's not too big for the spitty - around 4-5'...
I also checked out my next purchase which will be the 6'3" hellrazor for the better days (like today!). I was surprised by how narrow the tail is and didn't think it looked much of a hybrid board to me, I guess it has a fair width but it certainly looks on the high performance end of scale. A few more weeks for that one!
6' spitfire, 6'3" hellrazor
K3 thrusters and k2.1 quads
Pretty good quiver right there I reckon!!!
Yeeeeeew!!!!

[crazylegs]

Should have got the 5'10"!!! Solid 4' beachies today, decent surf but defo feel as though I could have gone smaller....bit annoyed with myself but too late now really. Better than going too small I guess.
I see what people mean by the back end getting twitchy, it was going in the bigger sets. A set of quads may help that out a bit.
Only had 40 mins, the missus, dig and baby all on the beach so had the guilt card being played. It on again tomorrow so will get more of a feel then. First impressions were its a very easy board to surf and very stable. Just should have gone smaller! I'm 85kg and the 5'10" would be ideal I think, just wasn't in the ago at the time... Damn you impatience!

[crazylegs]

Just re read my post, this predictive writing can make you out to sound pretty dumb!
I'm not though....
Honest..

[core personal training]

and people doubt my judgement..!!!...so tune into that board and then you will know whether to scale your quiver off it or a smaller one

[crazylegs]

Surf was a little smaller yesterday, a solid head high and the board was amazing. 6' ain't a bad size after more time on it...core, it wasn't that I didn't take you advice, I just went for what I felt would be best although I could have got away with the 5'10". Others were telling me to go the 6'2", glad I didnt.
On another note, I'm a bit disappointed on how soft the bottom of the board is, it has a number of dings in it already and a 4" dia hole on the bottom, cracked into te foam and water logged...dont know how it happened, didnt have any particularly spectacular wipeouts.
The board is quite soft to press underneath, it's a shame as the top is tough, surely the bottom should be a bit tougher? They're not cheap boards...
Overall the board is excellent to ride and very responsive. Just a little soft underneath for the price in my opinion...

[core personal training]

i didnt mean you...you got what i advised straight away...it was all these other "doubting thomas's"..!!.. :P..you knew you needed a 6'0 or 5'10....

dont know what you banged on the bottom????...the glass is not brittle like conventional boards and the foam will absorb and return too....i have no trouble and mine hit rocks non stop....keep your eye on it...as for now...get the ding at the lowest point and let it drain...

[crazylegs]

Yeah I'm pretty pissed to be honest... Brand new board..
I've taken it to the local shaper to repair, it's a decent hole and whilst I can fix it myself, I want it done properly considering its new. Will just have to put a sticker over the repair after...
Do you have the rapidfire version core? I didn't notice until now that the fibreglass bottom is fairly thin and soft. The board is pretty stiff and probablyore difficult to snap than a conventional board, just VERY easy to ding up...

[core personal training]

mine are rf unless only made in fst..its only 4oz but very very resilient...you must of given it a good hit...i'v knocked myself momentarily out and only caused the slightest crack that didnt even need sealing..ive paddled straight onto rocks with full weight and nothing...