FireWire fun bag

[jneave]

So I've been commenting here and there on different boards trying to get down a solid set of 3-5 boards but keep finding that I am starting to like all of them.... I'm 170 before my 43 wetsuit with boots and gloves 6 feet tall... I ride a 510 Dom for mush and 6'2 alt the 2'3/8 one for better days. My Dom is my super mush board(1-4ft groveler) and I'm selling the alt to go towards some new gear. If anyone could help me build my arsenal that would be appreciated. Other than the Dom for super low end I like the 6'6 or 6'8 flexfire step ups no sure which one to go for... And I need 3 boards to fill in the gaps. I like the sub scorcher, stealth, hellrazor and the bourez... Any help would be appreciated!

[prjwebb]

Sounds like you're in a similar boat to me. I've been trying to get a good little quiver dialed with boards that are purely functional rather than every board that I like. I'm about the same size as you too.

Currently I'm using a 5'8" Spitfire for 2-3ft slopey stuff and a 6'0" CBD Taj which is very similar to the 6'0" MB for good conditions. I have a 5'2" Sweet Potato coming any day now for 1-2ft stuff and I've been shuffling around boards to fill the 2-4ft wobbly days where sections can stand up steep or vanish just as quickly. I find the Spitfire too wide for days like this.
I had a 5'8" Sub Scorcher which was good as long as it wasn't too sucky and felt a little small when the waves were overhead.
I was eyeing up the 5'11" Hell Razor. I reckon that'll be a great one but in the end opted for the 5'10" Minnie Driver because I love that round tail. Won't get to try it until September though.

Step up wise I'd go 6'6" I think.

[iggy]

PRJ you'll trip on that little potato!!! guaranteed!!!

[prjwebb]

can't wait :D

[Chris]

i think you are going to get robbed on your way home and you'll never know how it rides....you'll be left staring into the sunset....every day...for eternity....driven mad by the longing...the wondering...and the lingering unanswered questions deteriorating your once stable psyche....

That's my take...

[prjwebb]

You'll feel bad if that happens....

[Chris]

actually i might be more creeped out that that horrible of a coincidence actually happened. then I would sell tickets for psychic shows and tour the world BSing my way to celebrity.

If that happens then you have my permission to come to one of the shows and heckle me into an early retirement.

[prjwebb]

hahaha it's a deal

[Chris]

But Jeremy, to get this back on track, I did send you an email response to your email you sent me.

Thanks

[jneave]

yup that email helped a lot. im still bent on what i should grab for my hpsb. im stuck between the hellrazor and the mb. since the 602 2'3/8 alt that i rock has about 30 l of volume do you think i should go for the 600 thick bourez which is 29.9 L or do you think i could handle the change down to 27.7 litres.?

[Sarge]

Hi,
I have that 6'2" alt at 2 3/8 as well (and love it) and the figure I got from Nev a while back was 28.7 litres. I now really enjoy the MB at 29.9 but I also weigh in at close to 90kgs. It is only a 1 litre / 2.8% step in either direction for you so I guess while it won't matter too much, it depends how you feel on the Alt and whether you want a teeny tiny little more or less float. (MB weighs 168 and rides the thick 5'10" at 27.2 litres)

I'm finding that my MB covers anything I could surf the alt in (this model alt also has more rocker than the current version) but offers higher performance and response. Certainly it does go best in better waves.

[jneave]

Here's the only reason I'm hesitating on the thick version. Does the 2'9/16 make you stand higher off the water than say a 6'0 sleath?? Because the bourez is thicker but the stealth has more volume.... Is it volume or thickness that kills the performance?

[Sarge]

I don't think it is as simply as volume vs thickness. I would suggest that the MB "package" is more high performance. even if it is slightly thicker or a couple of litres more than the Stealth.
Was out on mine again this morning 3-4 foot peaks and go to say again "I love it." It is one smooth board.

[jneave]

Hmm ok I think I'm going to go for the 600 thick... My only worry is that the bourez model is thicker than my 510 dominator.. But because it has less volume overall does that mean I won't ride as high on the water ? Or will I ride higher because of the greater thickness?? I really am looking forward to the thick version but that sounds super thick.. Are the rails atleast super thin? Like does it dome out a ton??

[jneave]

And could anyone verify that the gen 1 alternator 6'2 2'38 are around 28.7 liters because I have a few different volume estimates on that board

[Sarge]

Hi found Nevs response from the old forum.
Sorry my mistake its 29.7 - not 28.7 as I have been thinking for the past 2 years (no wonder there's not much difference in float) (I thought it only felt like 200ml difference)

nev January 2010 Permalink
Posts: 336
Mate...the older Alternator would have had a volume 30l and the current on 33l. The difference is that we bumped up the thickness from 2 3/8" to 2 1/2"

Re same volume and length, but longer as a step up, will not necessarily paddle the same. If anything less well as Mark said due to the reduced planning area under your chest, but it would be close. For example the FE606P 18 3/4 x 2 1/2 step up has the same volume as your first AR 602 at 29.7l

[jneave]

so the step up 66 flex would paddle better than the old 62 alternator because of the extra planing area? or would i be better to grab a 602 round alternator as a step up? with 31.3 li? or will the extra length of the 66 get me in t waves just as extra volume would?

[Sarge]

Actually, that was the other part of my original question in that forum. The answer was 'no' a longer board of the same volume will paddle slightly less well than a shorter one, due to less volume/ float directly under your body mass.
A longer board however does have a longer glide between strokes -but you would want a slight increase in volume to appreciate it.

[jneave]

Ohh k so I would be better to go for the 6'2 roung tail alt? Hmm I think my 4 board quiver is going to be a 510 Dom, 6'0 mini driver or stealth, 6'0 thick bourez and 6'2 round alt? How's that sound??

[Chris]

Yeah sarge that is accurate there on the 602 2 3/8...

Jneave, what about a small wave buster?? I would say get a small wave beast before the Minnie Driver??

[jneave]

Oh I thought that the minni driver was a small wave beast hmm what would a good beast be for small waves??

[kdropin]

spud or baked

[prjwebb]

I reckon the Mini will handle punchy waist high up to anything you're game to paddle it in to. There's a video of Mason Ho on at 5'9 surfing solid pipe.
I don't think it's quite going to be a groveller but in small, quality waves I reckon it'll rip.

If you're looking for something for smaller than your Dominator then the Potato family is where it's at.

[jneave]

Hmm I might go for a 54 sweet pot? Will the extra volume allow me to rip small waves or should I go for the 52 based on the easy planing area and flat rocker? What is more important the shape( surface area and rocker) or volume when it comes to surfing small waves? Or any wave for that matter.. Because someone told me I could get away with a 510 sub scorcher in waist to head high punchy waves even thought it is only 29 liters.. That's less than the bourez model I'm thinking about

[prjwebb]

I'm your weight and was riding the 508 Sub in those conditions. It was the lowest volume of my boards actually but went good. The 510 would be plenty for you.
502 or 504 sp is a good pick. I like the 502, it has plenty of volume but the 504 will still go great.

If it helps, I found the 510 Dom a little big so you may prefer to go a size up from me in those other boards.

[jneave]

That's why I'm debating going 5'4 or 5'2 sweet potato.. Because even though the 5'2 has less volume than my 5'10 Dom, due to the flatter rocker and added surface area will the 5'2 potato get me into smaller surf as good or better than the Dom?

[prjwebb]

I don't find the 5'2" to be a great paddler. It's so short it has no glide. My Spitfire and my CBD both probably paddle better.
I wouldn't say it catches waves exceptionally early either. If even a small wave is close to breaking though it catches it with exceptional ease. One or two strokes and it's off, and then it doesn't take a lot of wave to keep it going.
I wouldn't be looking at paddling into little lumps on the outside with the longboarders though.

[jneave]

yeah im not really a fan of the potatoes... i think the dom is as low as i would need to go ive surfed 1 foot on it. at the moment im looking at a 2-3 board quiver im thinking 510 dom, 600 thick bourez and some sort of step up. do you think the bourez has too much rocker for tofino bc? im sure it would be good on heavier days

[Gnubee]

It rarely ever gets hollow anywhere in the PNW, with the possible exception of places like the cove in Westport during a winter swell. I've certainly never see the Tofino breaks get truly hollow. For that reason I think a board with lots of rocker is sort of wasted. If I was putting together a 3 board quiver, I'd build around my El Fuego (which is absolutely brilliant in the waves we tend to get here), something like a Hellfire or Hellrazor for the bigger or steeper days, and add a Sweet Potato for fun. Given that you already have a Dominator, which will cover the majority of (non-winter) conditions, and given that you don't really like the Potatoes, maybe just look for a board that can handle head high to 2x.

[jneave]

Hmm yeah I was thinking that but the waves do get super steep they only don't through too hard over the top usually... I figure the rocker would be good for days like that? And the extra thickness would help kill some chop? I was told the hellrazor and bourez ride similar waves . I'm stuck

[Gnubee]

Dont get me wrong, some rocker is good, but you really dont need as much as you would on a super hollow break like Pipeline. With one or two exceptions, I have never realy has a wave suck out from underneath me the way they can in Australia, for example (places like D'Bah). Waves here get big, but never all that steep (it is just that they look steeper as they get bigger). I'm kind of in the same boat as you. Since I ride a hybrid (ElF) already, I figure the HZ or HF would be the way to go. Your mileage may vary.

[prjwebb]

I'm a fan of higher rocker boards. I guess my local beachy is usually steep, but it's certainly not pipe.
Curve just feels better under my feet.

[Chris]

Where are you stuck these days jneave?

One word, for small days, the Potatonator is a great option. you should check that.

When you are talking waist to slightly overhead, my favorite options that maximize performance without overloading you on the volume front are the Michel, Alternator and Hellrazor for sure. There are subtle differences across all of them. Alternator is a bit more relaxed on the rocker front, the michel is a true HP shortboard while the Hellrazor blends them a little bit by offering a little more width and the option of being ridden 1" shorter than your conventional shortboard.

How do you choose? Well I would base it on your current quiver probably. If you don't have a true thruster, limit yourself to the Alternator or the Michel. If you kind of want a more progressive hybrid, then the Hellrazor would be my choice....

Cheers and hope this helps to turn the gears.

[jneave]

Great help I feel that the Dom is an extra right now the size I got is too big however it does the trick. I'm going to split ways with it.. For small days a 5'8 potatonator seems unmatched, and for bigger not to perfect waves my 6'2 alt, for nice standard waves in thinking 6'0 bourez ( I'm liking boards with more rocker also prj it feels like I have better control at high speeds even if the wave isn't barreling.

[jneave]

How does the bourez rocker compare to the ci semi pro?? Because I've seen guys ripping that in tof and it went good. Also what are the bourez conclaves like?

[Chris]

hey jneave,
i am not too familiar with the semi pro, but they are both boards developed by the worlds best surfers so they are going to go well in similar conditions. I just don't have the info to compare the two for you.

Also the bottom concave on the michel is a mellow single.

Cheers and hope this helps!

[jneave]

Alright I think it's going to be 508 potatonator, 510 sub scorcher, 600thick Michel model 606 flex step up... How's that quiver sound? Does each board and size seem okay for me?? And not overlap too much?

[Gnubee]

While all of those sound like superb choices, I think that given the waves around here you might have one too many. Personally, I'd go (from that list) P'Nator OR Sub Scorcher, MB, and a step up. The sub is a great board, but I just wonder if it and the PN are going to be overlapping. Maybe not surfing the same way, but certainly covering mostly the same range of waves. Anyway, I'd drop one of the boards from the list and use the $ to go on a surf trip to somewhere warm...

[jneave]

Yeah maybe. Although I am wanting the 508 potnator which is 33.9 l and a super wide tail and the 510 sub which is only 29 l so I was thinking that the sub wouldn't work in that 1 foot slop but instead need some punch in the small waves? Maybe you're right though. I was just think potatonator for 1-4 foot sloppy waves where I need the super flat rocker and lots ov vol to make speed and then the sub for 2-5 waves that are a bit nicer up until waves that have more punch where I would want the mb. I'm super interested in the potatonator because it looks like u could rip gutless waves however I like the sub because it reminds me of my Blak box that I broke last year but with added performance. Do you think the mb would be a good all around sb with its added vol for days that aren't perticularily barreling? If it needs that power that's why I was thinking the sub would be fun on days where it's not heavy enough to rip the mb. Maybe I'll start with the mb and potatonator and see if I need a middle board.

[jneave]

And I'm going to indo for 3-4 months this fall;)

[prjwebb]

Yeah the Sub is a good board, and in 510 it'll give you a little more lower range than my 508 gave me. I think maybe consider the 2.38" - 600 MB at your weight though. The thicker one is quite a lot of board, but again that's down to your volume preferences. I find my CBD Taj which is basically the 600 2.38" MB dims works in anything chest high with some shape and a little push and up. Very smooth board and actually quite forgiving. Those are the conditions I used the Sub in so it became a bit of an overlap, and even though the Sub probably should have the advantage in those conditions, the CBD felt like the better board for the way I try to surf.
I think the Potatonator could well cover you up until you want to be on a shortboard, but it's nice to have that in between board. It wouldn't be a bad idea to leave the Sub for a minute though and then decide whether it's needed.

[Chris]

Yeah, although I would say that going to Indo, for me personally, I don't think the Potatonator would make the travel bag. everything in into is steep enough for a narrower board.

Cheers!

[buzzy]

And I'm going to indo for 3-4 months this fall;)

Hate's a strong word, but I hate you ;).

If I can get a 10 day boat trip in the next 9 months I'll be stoked. I think I'd pack my Futura and a (to be purchased) 6'6 Alt for such a trip, and probably buy a cheap step up over there.

[jneave]

Yeah the potatonator isn't going haha I was thinking bring the 606 flex step and get pitted. The potatonator is for at home When the waves are mushy babies. I was thinking the sub would work better for when the waves were small but clean. So I think I'll go with the 508 potatonator but now that I'm hearing people pushing for less volume do u think the 508 is too big?? Also for the mb is it true it can go custom now? Because I was thinking about going 601 18'7/8 2'3/8

[Gnubee]

P'Nator looks like the board you would ride 80-90% of the time at home. Remember that a bunch of people posting here are from OZ, and the waves there are much more punchy than they are in BC, Washington or Oregon (for the most part). The Aussies also get to surf pretty much every day and do not have 5mm of rubber covering them from head to toe. If I was back on the Gold Coast, I would be on smaller boards than I am now. (I even rode a super thin 6'6" when I was there that would hardly even float me here.) In short, the extra volume of the 5'8" would likely not hurt you in the least.

The MB as a a second board would be really nice.

[benny81]

Good point, i like my 5'8 but i'm trying a size up to see the difference, especially with winter around the corner. If it gets more waves and floats me more over the flat sections then happy days and it is for crap days

[iggy]

P'Nator looks like the board you would ride 80-90% of the time at home. Remember that a bunch of people posting here are from OZ, and the waves there are much more punchy than they are in BC, Washington or Oregon (for the most part). The Aussies also get to surf pretty much every day and do not have 5mm of rubber covering them from head to toe. If I was back on the Gold Coast, I would be on smaller boards than I am now. (I even rode a super thin 6'6" when I was there that would hardly even float me here.) In short, the extra volume of the 5'8" would likely not hurt you in the least.

The MB as a a second board would be really nice.
You got a point there!!!!!.
Had a blast yesterday with the Pnator. I usually ride my boards on the 30lts range and the 5'8 Pnator is a bliss. I see this thing catching all kinds in Maine. and once on the wave all that volume seems to disappear due to the step up deck. The board simply wants to stay on the wave

[Gnubee]

Yeah, the waves in RI, MA, ME are actually fairly similar to the ones in BC, WA, OR, and none of them (in general) stack up in terms of sheer power to what the Aussies get. For me, the 6'3" ElF at 39.8l is perfect for the PNW, and for New England, if I was still there. I can see the possibility for TONS of overlap between the Elf and P'Nator. If I was down under, and wanted a board to cover 80% of the waves I ride, I'd likely be on a 6'2"-6'4" Hellfire.

[jneave]

Hmm yeah I agree... Maybe the potatonator for smal 1-4 foot and I'll grab a mb thick for the rest.. I am on a 510 Dom now at 33'5 liters and find it is only a tad bit big to dig into fairly large waves here. So im thinking the mb will be great for all around... However I do think I would like to grab an in between board but that can come later

[jneave]

Honestly I'm really stuck on if I want to go thin or thick. I feel like thick would be a good idea for our average conditions that tend to hold less power and I feel like it will help me improve my short boarding a ton by getting me into waves earlier and still being able to have a tight turning radius. I feel that I should still be able to bury a rail due to the lack of sheer power we have up north. If anyone disagrees let me know because I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on this board

[K24Surfer]

I am 5'10" 165 and have had several FW dating back to my first three Quadraflexes. At one point I had five different boards but now five years later I have settled on these: 5'2" Sweet Potato for the really small weak days 1-3 ft. (a really fat mushy three feet), 5'10" Hellfire for the bigger punchier 2-3foot, and a 6'1" Flexfire Direct Drive for everything else.

I do admit though, I have ordered and am waiting to get a 5'6" Potatonator, and a 5'11" Hellrazor to possibly take the place of or compliment the sweet potato and Hellfire. I will never sell or get rid of my Direct Drive and god forbid if it ever breaks I will immediately buy another one with the same dimensions. I have ridden this board in double and approaching triple Overhead waves in Cost Rica and Hurricane swells in Florida and it has never let me down and fills me up with confidence when the waves are consequential. Please do add this to your quiver!

[Chris]

The 600 thick performs REALLY well....

I think you'd be happier without the extra length...

[K24Surfer]

Hey Chris, is there a board that you recommend above others for larger, more powerful surf? I have the 6'1" FFDD and I rode my 5'11" HZ during Hurricane Sandy and they went fine but I go to Costa Rica Playa Hermosa a lot and it's sometimes scary big. I saw where you have the artillery series board. How are these to paddle, duck dive, ride etc. I want to go out but want to surf and not just get punished. Thanks a lot for your input!

[prjwebb]

From what Chris has said to me the Artillery 603 would be right up your street. I think it's something like 6'3 x 18"3/8 x 2"1/2 - 29.3l

On the right
1325

I'd imagine that'd get you into anything you'd want to surf in CR. There's the 606 and 608 Pin tail Flexfires too if you're nuts.... :)

[Chris]

Hey K24,
Stoked on the support. The thing to obviously remember is paddling out in costa in bigger surf, unless you are going to one of the few perfect points, you are going to get pounded no matter what board you are on. The big deal is choosing a board that fits waves that you are paddling into in respect to size. How big are you talking? Double overhead and hollow?

The Artillery is a great board but it is a board that is truly designed for bigger barrel riding, NOT as much for turning and performance. It has a wider point forward and volume under the front foot for pumping under the lip of a wave. An example, Timmy Reyes rides a 603 and 605 at solid Pipe and Backdoor so that helps give you a little perspective on the wave it was designed for.

Personally, I am looking at Alternator and Flexfire round tails long before the artillery unless you are CERTAIN you are going to have massive ones. If I were heading to Indo, off the cuff, I would have a 604 flexfire roundtail before an artillery because I want a little more of a shortboard feel. Those boards have good big wave applications but will be far more usable in slightly smaller conditions that you are more likely to see on your trip and around home. I think going from a 601 to an Artillery is too big of a step without having a more traditional step up.

I would encourage you to look at those.

[K24Surfer]

Hey thanks very much! Your advice is spot on and I agree completely with you. Does Firewire still make the Flexfire in DD or do you recommend something with a springer with a roundtail? As far as big goes: I train with Jim Hogan in CR and he will call it head to three feet overhead but there are sneaker sets that come up every hour or so that are twice that! I have ridden there when Surfline has called it 8-10+ and it's hollow. Not as Hollow as Pipe or Puerto Escondido but plenty of power for sure. I live in Florida and want to start going to Puerto Rico as well and know that it gets very heavy there. I have a hard time judging size coming from Florida and also once I drop in I'm not thinking about how big the wave is. I'm getting along in age and have been surfing for 25 years but have recently learned I was doing it all wrong (arms and upper body out of whack). It's actually really cool though because I am getting to apply world class coaching and am filled with new confidence. It's like learning to surf all over again but on a professional level. Can't recommend Jim Hogan enough!

Thanks as always for your help.

[Chris]

yeah anything listed on our site in Direct Drive can be ordered/special ordered if its not in stock.

but yeah over in PR you could certainly find use for the Artillery series on the waves. Costa Rica I am sure you could as well. Talk with your coach too. He might have a few thoughts, plus he knows your surfing...

[Chris]

yeah anything listed on our site in Direct Drive can be ordered/special ordered if its not in stock.

but yeah over in PR you could certainly find use for the Artillery series on the waves. Costa Rica I am sure you could as well. Talk with your coach too. He might have a few thoughts, plus he knows your surfing...