Potatonator or Spitfire - First Firewire Purchase

[50young]

Go the 6.0 plenty of paddle power and float, gets in early, love this board

[anfernee]

Thanks Buzzy. My biggest issue is paddle power - mates with bigger or thicker boards (and in the same or worse condition as I am fitness wise) seem to paddle into waves far easier. They claim its the volume of their boards compared to mine (all are thicker). My 6'2 is 6'2 x 21 1/4 x 2 3/4 - which isn't a small board really but definitely struggles in the less powerful stuff. I have a 6'6 which is 6'6 x 20 3/4 x 2 5/8 but its a 7S Superfish and is really quiet a rubbish shape. Paddling in is somewhat easier but when the surf is fuller or smaller its still harder than some of my mates experience (that and once your on the wave the shape of this board really takes the "Performance" options out of the equation). Basically the fatter the better without purchasing a boat. Ill have a look at the 6'2 as the 5l more volume over my 7S would be a good start... then to rid myself of that 7S!

[50young]

Firewires construction in EPS and epoxy make them more buoyant than PU boards to start with, but also the plan shape (wider up front) and lower rocker make them paddle like turbo charged. My last board was a Byrne Mullet 6' 11" 22" 3" thick 47litres. My PN is 6.0 x 21 x 2 5/8 40.2 litres and paddles better and catches way more than the Byrne. If you can demo a 6.0 and 6 2 and see which you prefer. It's not all about volume when it comes to wave count I've found, too much volume makes you float over the wave rather than sitting in it and taking up the waves power to aid in momentum forward. Just my take on things

[anfernee]

Yeah interesting point - Will see what demo sizes my local has and take it from there... can't wait to get my hands on one!

[Chris]

thanks for all the good feedback everyone. I too am thinking the Potatonator is the starting point. Then go from there, the spitfire for more of a challenge and the baked potato for smaller waves...

Cheers!

[surferireland]

I would rule out the spitfire as you have bigger wave range covered.

Consider the sweet potato in a 6'0 if you want ease of catching waves and mega volume.

I have a potatonator in a 5'10 and weigh similar to you and its great in smaller surf but not in the same league as a sweet potato - BUT when you weigh what we do (all other things being equal) a surfer who is 70Kg will be able to surf small waves with more ease than you.

So either get a 6'0 SP or a 6'4 Potatonator and you will rock (even though everyone will say these are too big)

[anfernee]

Yeah thanks man - I think the 6'4 would be bang on the money too. I want simple, easy to paddle, relaxed surfing from it - like you say, I have the bigger wave range covered. Hoping to pick one up on Sunday!

Now its a Rapidfire vs FST argument in my head but I think I am going to go for Rapidfire...

Thanks again everyone for your feedback - feeling very confident about this purchase. Hope it lives up to its hype!

[surferireland]

Ive been a huge fan of FST over the years - BUT in the RF is most definitely lighter and therefore for smaller surf I will always pick RF over FST as you want the most performance possible in this wave range - Chris has said something along the same lines so I cant to too far off the mark.

[prjwebb]

Yeah my small wave boards will all be white rapidfire from now on, or enviroflex/crossfire perhaps...
My FST sweet potato is solid and has survived drops onto brick paving without even cracking the glass but it does weigh 3.1kg/6.8lbs and can feel a little heavy in tiny waves.

[custom]

RF i think have quicker responsive which i like alot but FST is stronger.The choise is up to you. Both techs are brilliant....