Should I get a Hellfire??

[tallkook]

After posting glowing reports on my 6'8 Dominator (http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/f/showthread.php?48-6-8-quot-Dominator-in-good-waves), I am now considering swapping it out for a 6'8 Hellfire for an upcoming trip to the Maldives. After getting the Dom, I got a second Firewire (6'5 El Fuego) which I love in most conditions I encounter here. I have been taking out the Dom when the waves get bigger, but I'm beginning to think that it is limiting in these conditions as it is primarily designed for smaller waves.

Interested in peoples thoughts on the 6'8 Hellfire instead for when the waves get a bit bigger and good. Would a quiver of 6'5 El Fuego and 6'8 Hellfire be a good combo (or at least better than the Dom and Elf) for this trip and generally for east coast Australia?

My stats are in the signature below. I think I may have a board buying problem, but for now I'm just going to ignore it.

[buzzy]

I think it would be a great combo. Presumably you're finding that the El Fuego is covering waves as small as you want to surf. If that's so the Hellfire would be an excellent step up board, and would probably have you covered from chest high and up.

You could possibly go a little smaller in volume, but I know you feel comfortable on around that 45 litre volume mark and if that's so then go for it!

[X-Man]

I am your weight and a few years older (46). I took a 6'2" Spitfire and a 6'4" Hellfire to the Mentawais in April. We had waves that were head high to double overhead. I road the Hellfire 80% of the time and had a blast. The thing that stuck out to me is that he waves were so clean and had so much push that I felt like I needed less volume than at my home break (Trestles). The hellfire handled the bigger/steeper/hollow waves great. Tallkook, I would go with a 6'6" Hellfire, or maybe even consider a 6'4" for your trip. BTW, I rode the SA3's in my Hellfire and the Rusty quad set in my Spitfire.

[Fritzkat]

Tall kook, go for the 6-6 Hellfire, I ride the 6-4 and have seen the 6-8 and the 7-0, they looked like too much foam for the type of waves youd want to ride them on.
6-4 is spot on for wave 1.5 overhead, a 6-6 would take it another step higher, I just feel the 6-8 would have too much foam for you and you would miss the boards potential to be ridden shorted and thinner. We have similar weight and height.

[iggy]

Yeah Fritzkat has a point there, on bigger conditions the extra volume might get on the way!

[surfgumby]

Tallkook, I'm also from the East coast of Oz & I agree with Buzzy in that the Hellfire will compliment your Dom or your Elf very well as it loves the waves once they become a bit bigger with more push!

This thing goes like a rocket, paddles well, gets in early & making the drop is a given!

I reckon either the 6'6" (you can consider going with a bit less foam as you use this board when the waves are pumping) or 6'8" if you like that bit of extra volume!

Even the 6'8" will be less volume than your elf & heaps less than your Dom!

I ride a 6'6" but am a tad lighter & shorter than you, I bust my Hellfire out whenever the surf gets around the 3'+ mark with a bit of power, under that I use my 6'6" spit which has a similar volume to your elf!

For me the Dom & Elf are for a similar wave size range although they do surf differently!

I think the Hellfire will cover your upper range in a fast sweet performance driven way!

My 3 board quiver is going to be a 6'2" Potatonator (on order) my current 6'6" Spit & my 6'6" Hellfire!

[Chris]

Good stuff everyone.

Hey tallkook, how does the 608 Dom float you? Of you like that volume, the. I would certainly stay with the 608. Think 606 if you are preferring the volume of the El Fuego. Keep in mind, due to the Hellfire's shape, slightly larger lengths will work better in better surf due to the board's shape and rocker.

Cheers

[tallkook]

Thanks everyone. Chris, the Dom at 608 has loads of float and is certainly a handful to duckdive at times, but catches waves like a champion and rides great too, as I posted in the Dom thread. Guess I was just thinking Elf plus Hellfire may be a better quiver to cover all conditions. I don't have any trouble catching waves on the Elf and can ride it in most conditions. But I really think when the waves get bigger and steeper I would prefer to be on a longer board than 6'6 and a board with enough volume to paddle in early, rather than trying to make late drops. The Dom does all this, but I'm wondering if the Hellfire would actually be better suited once up and riding.

I've got a traditional fish that covers tiny, the Elf covers chest high to 1.5x overhead, I ride the Dom in anything bigger. The Hellfire would replace the Dom. Still leaning towards 6'8 if I make the leap.

Loving the sound of your quiver surfgumby, Potatonator looks sensational.

[tallkook]

OK so I've cleaned out the quiver and have the funds to redistribute. Still have the 6'5 Elf so looking for the second board for the Maldives. Was pretty well set on the 6'8 Hellfire, then started reading about the Spitfire and thought maybe the 6'6 would be the one.
How performance driven is the Hellfire? Is it enough of a hybrid to have a bit of forgiveness or is it just a full on speed machine? Is the Spitfire too close to the Elf to consider having both?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks.

[buzzy]

By all accounts the Spitfire surfs very much like the Dom. So the Spit @6'6" will basically surf like a 6'6" Dom.

I haven't surfed a Hellfire but if it was me I'd be looking at that for differentiation from the existing boards. In better waves with more size you won't need extra volume - that's more for the smaller end of the spectrum. At your size a 6'6" Hellfire will have ample volume and the +\- 2" would be barely noticeable. You'll be up and planing into good waves in ample time on that size board. I haven't surfed it but I'm sure you'd find it amply forgiving.

[buzzy]

Lots of "amply's" there. Sorry. I need an editor.

[surfgumby]

Hey Tallkook,

The Hellfire is very performance driven but is still hybrid stable & fairly forgiving (loves the late drop)!

The Elf & Spit have alot of overlap, I think you may get a tad more performance out of the spit but you will get a Hellofalotmore performance out of the Hellfire!

6'6" is the go, as you use this baby when the waves have more power, it will also be easier to duck dive that 4-6' of whitewater coming to clean you up!

The Hellfire does not like weak or soft waves much but thats exactly what your Elf is for!

If you can demo one & take it for a paddle please do so, you will be well & truley stoked once you get your first clean fast flight on the Hellfire....just remember to hang on!!!

[tallkook]

Thanks fellas, the volume calculator has me between 41 and 51 litres. Think that puts me on the 6'8 Hellfire (43.1 l) as the 6'6 is 39.7 l. I know it's close but I do like a little bit of volume in my boards. I would hate to end up with a board I struggle on. I like to get planing early to give me a little extra time to get my big frame to it's feet. How do you find paddling your 6'6 surfgumby??

Thanks buzzy I'm amply stoked on your ample feedback mate.

[buzzy]

Yeah, you need to go with what you're comfortable with for sure.

Just for the sake of repeating it by the way, I pick up my new Futura later this week. Woohoo! After being away for a few days last week and then sick when I got back and having munched through a few packs of Tim Tams (that's Australian for best bloody chocolate biscuits ever invented) I'm not sure if I should jump straight on to the Futura or ease back in with my more amply (there you go again) proportioned Dom. Looks like we have 3 foot (ie head high) E to SE waves forecast for later this week (I'm locked in the office now). and pretty much any board in my quiver can cover that size.

[Goanna]

mmmmm Tim Tams

[Goanna]

hey Buzzy, I'm super keen to hear your report on the Futura as we are around the same vintage and stats.
I am really enjoying my Futura.

[buzzy]

I'm super keen to get it out. I've never had to wait so long on a board! It'll almost certainly get a run. The surf would have to be....like it is now....or completely atrocious....for it to stay in the car.

[Goanna]

I'm super keen to get it out. I've never had to wait so long on a board! It'll almost certainly get a run. The surf would have to be....like it is now....or completely atrocious....for it to stay in the car.

I enjoy surfing mine in anything 2ft clean / 3ft slop up to double overhead - probably because I don't have any other options but it handles those conditions well enought for me. Just waiting for my Potatonator to land now.

[X-Man]

Tallkook, some of the best advice I got before heading to the Mentawais was don't go too big with your boards. The surf is clean with good push, but can have steep take-offs. The Maldives should be the same. You will get a better performance out of a little shorter board. Plus, the board will "fit" in the pocket better. I would recommend you go for the 6'6". Like I said in a previous post, I rode a 6'4" Hellfire on my Indo trip and it worked great. It really handles steep drops well. I'm 6'1" and 195 lbs. 46 y/o.

[rivamon]

hey certified i have owned a 510 hf for almost 12 months now , i am 509 tall 76 kg 39 years old and would consider myself very intermediate , i live in cronulla and surf the beach breaks here . my take on the hellfire is that it is a very forgiving board especially on late takeoffs it never seems to nosedive or catch a rail , you only have to point it down the line and it takes off . this board has honestly improved my surfing confidence . the only draw back is that it needs a steeper better quality wave to get it going .(i surf my 56 sp in the fat stuff ) hope this helps . cheers .

[Chris]

good words X-man and Rivamon

[tallkook]

Yeah thanks everyone, but 6'6??.............................geez I don't know. Would it really make much difference if I went 6'8??

[buzzy]

That 6'8" is pretty chunky. I'd personally suggest you look at the 6'6" but maybe the best way to get comfort around that is to demo. Is there somewhere you can get your hands on a 6'6" Hellfore to Demo?

[surfgumby]

Tallkook, I paddle in on the 6'6" with no probs BUT as I said before I only use the Hellfire when the waves have good power. If the waves are weak or getting full the Hellfire is a bit harder to get onto the waves than my spit or your say your Elf.

Can't tell you how much difference 2" makes in the Hellfire but I know I Demoed the 6'6" Dom & the 6'8" Dom (before I settled on the spit) & found the 6'8" like a boat (floated to high, corky, ok to get on waves but harder to perform on once up & running) compared to the 6'6'' Dom!

Honestly try to get a demo & give one a whirl, its the only way your going to know for sure!

I usually up the volume on my boards cause I like to get onto waves without bustin a gut & some of the breaks I frequent are infested with logs.

Other guys on this forum my size & weight ride smaller Hellfires without a second thought!

It all comes down to what your ability, fitness, what your comfortable with & how you like to surf!

Good luck mate I go through the agony every time I get a new Firewire!

[tallkook]

Thanks fellas. I'm up Newcastle way so I'll try and suss a demo. I may just have to have a hold of them both off the new rack and make the call from there. Thanks again.

[surfgumby]

Drop us a line on what you go with & your review once you two get together in the water!!!

[Slowman]

Everyone should get a hellfire! You should too TK!

I'm riding a 6'2 and weigh ~90kg too...and it still goes OK waist high waves. I'd say even try a 6'4 as well 36.7L is a lot of volume more than enough to float you but you be the judge, if that isn't enough try the 6'6 I'm sure that would be more than adequate. Too much volume and you'll have trouble sinking the tail and rail in the juicier stuff and this is a board that will aid progression.

[iggy]

At 84Kgs I take my 6'0" whenever conditions get good and could not be happier

[STC67]

TK, I'll get one if you get one :) maybe we can do a deal on 2 boards from the FW factory. Speaking of which doesn't the Currumbin Factory usually have a scratch & dent sale around this time of year.

[Chris]

STC you might have to call them. I don't know the answer to that one...

[tallkook]

I got the 6'8...................................he says wandering off with tail between legs. I know this will cause some head shaking but I held the 6'6 and it just didn't feel like enough volume under the arm. Had a quick surf on it today and the volume feels good to me. Waves were shite so couldn't really comment on performance yet, other than it's quick!

STC it's always worth an email to Chris at Currumbin to suss any deals on boards you are after before pulling the trigger. Especially when looking for the bigger models as they aint that popular.

[buzzy]

That's fantastic. We all have different preferences in volume etc so there's no "right" number. The guy who shaped my normal boards (withore volume than the recent norm) wrote recently on seeing the so called "Biolos rail" that finally people were putting appropriate volume in boards. I like more than many. You like a tiny bit more then me. I reckon I could pick up a board in your volumes and surf it nearly like I do my own, and enjoy it just the same.

[surfgumby]

Hey Tallkoot, stoked you got your Hellfire & if it passed the under arm test I reckon you got the right one!

When it boils down to it "THE GUT" is usually right!

You sure won't have any trouble catching your fair share, hope you enjoy the qualities of that fantastic shape on many a fast hollow screamer!

[tallkook]

Thanks for all your advice fellas. I'll let you know how the boards go after my trip. 37 days 37 days....so excited.

[STC67]

Stoked for you TK. Let us know how it goes.

Surfed the Elf in ordinary small waves this morn. Figures as soon as I sell the SP all there is, is small gutless surf. I saw 3 SP's out this morn.

[renmachado]

Hi,

Finally, today I received my new Hellfire 6'4, after a 4 months wait!

I quickly tuned it and went surfing, saddly the waves were poor and small, but first impression was great. Easy paddling.
I started as thruster with FCS M7 and soon will try it as quad.
Then, in August I will go full month to Bali and I'm sure this board will do its best :)

Firewire rocks!

I'm 190cm, 82kg, 36yrs, intermidiate
604 Hellfire FST, no ventplug, Nanotune

[surfgumby]

Hey Ren,

I hope your patience will b rewarded by heaps of classic fast Bali waves in August!

The Hellfire will give you some real lasting joy over there!

I thought I had it bad having to wait 6wks for my last Firewire!

Enjoy!

[renmachado]

Thanx Gumby!

Cheers

[STC67]

I got the 6'8...................................he says wandering off with tail between legs. I know this will cause some head shaking but I held the 6'6 and it just didn't feel like enough volume under the arm. Had a quick surf on it today and the volume feels good to me. Waves were shite so couldn't really comment on performance yet, other than it's quick!

STC it's always worth an email to Chris at Currumbin to suss any deals on boards you are after before pulling the trigger. Especially when looking for the bigger models as they aint that popular.

Hi Tallkook,

Just picked up a Hellfire this morning (yes the factory did help me out). Now all I need to do is get a Potatonator and i reckon I have my quiver complete.

606 Potatonator
605 El Fuego
610 Hellfire

Also got the young bloke a 506 HF which will be a step forward from the fish he is on now.

Heading down to the local shop this afternoon with a few trades to see what I can negotiate on a FST Pnator.

[tallkook]

Great stuff STC. I'm envious about the pnator mate, they look real nice. How were the deals in the sale? I've scored a couple of bargains thru Chris up there at the factory. Good bloke.

[cuttlefish]

The deals were good.
JaM71 (my agent...lol) went in there for me and within 10 seconds of walking in, spotted a 5'11" baked potato in the rack, which apparently wasn't supposed to be in the rack.
A bit of negotiation by JaM71 (onya mate) and baked was mine.
He reckons the guy behind him in the cue wanted the 5'11" baked potato really badly but was...denied...and ended up with a 5'10" sweet potato, so should be happy.
Did you get the deal done STC?

[STC67]

Deals were good :) but no Pnators :(

I did get a Deviant Fin. Just looking at it i can't say it fills me with a lot of confidence it works. Anyone had any experience?

[prjwebb]

Deals were good :) but no Pnators :(

I did get a Deviant Fin. Just looking at it i can't say it fills me with a lot of confidence it works. Anyone had any experience?

I really like them on my backhand. Makes my bottom turn to top turn a lot tighter in the pocket. If I was surfing a left point I think I'd use it every time.

The prototype I tried out a few years ago moved very freely but the one I bought last year is a little stiffer to move.

[cuttlefish]

I've had a couple of surfs with it.
First surf at local point in really peaky 2' swell and it felt buttery smooth in cutbacks.
I was in a hurry that day but left it in afterwards as it felt positive with no appreciable drag.
Last surf was in solid 4' plus at local point (during last swell) and again it felt very good.
Surf cut short by legrope cord popping out of ankle strap and a swim in.
I'd had a stack of waves by then so didn't mind.
The fin stays in.
This was in the potatonator teamed with EA blackstix fronts.
In fin theory a thicker chord on a fin will make it turn faster and so that bulbous mechanism should help.
There are those who say the current way of foiling fins so thin is to make them easy to produce en masse and market.
So when we see a fin with a wide mechanism like on the deviant we recoil in dis-belief it won't drag like a mofo.
We need to keep our minds open on this one and try.