Potatonator or Spitfire - First Firewire Purchase

[anfernee]

Itching to get this thing back in the water - have had some time to reflect on where I went wrong Sunday arvo (never blame your tools!!!) and looking forward to having another crack at this puppy.

[Chris]

that's the attitude!!!

[Bumper]

I've had mIne out consistently this month in good waist to shoulder waves and it's getting better and better. I really love this board and am finally surfing

[Bumper]

I've had mIne out consistently this month in good waist to shoulder waves and it's getting better and better. I really love this board and am finally surfing it well. No way would I get rid of it. Def downsizing to a 510 from a 6. Im going to want more responsiveness eventually. Def have a good handle on it. Terrific board from thigh high to shoulder high wave.

[anfernee]

We've had the worse run of swell lately... can't wait for it to tidy up a little and get some size to it. Currently a sloppy foot and thats it.

[anfernee]

OK, have had 3 surfs on this board and after today's I can say "I LOVE THIS BOARD!!!!!" - I still need to dial it in some more, but overall I am so much happier than I was on the first surf. Its very forgiving too - on a few ugly ones today it performed way better than I expected. Paddled into everything I wanted, handled late drops and had a smile on my face that went from ear to ear.

More than stoked with this one. Its exactly what people are saying and it easily replaces a few of my boards (I dare say most of my boards are going to get dusty over summer!). I'll probably drop down to a 6.0 though eventually as its probably too big.

Thanks everyone for your help too.

[el02]

Hello everyone,

Im 6,1 and 94 kgs and 31 years young and Ive always been a fan of the dominator and spitfire family. I had the pleasure of owning a 6,2 dominator (38 lit), and this board helped me in getting more waves than ever and later on I changed into the 6,0 Spitfire (34 lit) for less buoyancy and more performance wise. I had it for 3 years and then move on.

Yesterday at my local break in Panama, it was crowded and my little ajw xstump 6,1 wasnt making the cut again 2 foot surf and just couldnt catch enough waves like i used to. Catch a few but not enough.... I was in the water thinkin if I only had my dom or spit i wouldnt been having this situation.

Ive been readin a lot about the PN and Im in between the 5,10 or 6,0 range... I consider myself intermediate and in excellent shape to paddle hard with enough buoyancy but I dont need the overfloat...... Im currently at 34 liters range but might want to jump into this board in the 36 or 37 lit range and the 5,10 fits right in...... the 6,0 mayb could overfloatme and make me lazy paddler with my other boards for bigger days.... Any inputs I appreciated?

Does this board handles well the thruster option as the Spitfire?? I like goin thruster on my backhand...

[buzzy]

You're a length down from my preference and carrying an extra 3-4 kgs on me. Mind you, you're also 16 years younger, and I definitely surfed board with less volume when I was younger (with a preference for more than most though).

My thought is this; you will become a little lazier paddling a more foamed up board, but you'll adjust within 5 minutes when you cross back over to a slightly lesser volumed board.

Another option would be to get a Spitfire at 6'2" rather than 6'0". The volume would be fine at your weight for a small wave board. Indeed, I reckon at your weight it would be fine full stop. Anyway, a Spit would be a higher performing board by all accounts in small to medium surf than a Potatonator. I get the impression you're a strong energetic surfer and if so you shouldn't have any difficulty getting a Spit moving in the smallest surf, if volumed correctly.

[Slowman]

Its done! My first Firewire - 602 FST Potatonator! Bought from the good folks at Cronulla Surf Design - Sam's a champ and helped me make the final decision. Cant wait to get it wet tomorrow!

Wife walked in whilst paying though.... apparently she's going to be needing some shoes or something now....

Yep Sam is a champ...you didn't happen to see my Vanguard anywhere around?? LOL I don't take my wife to any place I make purchases for that reason but the good thing about FW's - they're all the same colour!!

Anfernee, we aren't far from each other by the sound of things. Glad to hear you are getting to know your PN and things are going well. Are you riding this as a quad?

[ONeal]

Yep Sam is a champ...you didn't happen to see my Vanguard anywhere around?? LOL I don't take my wife to any place I make purchases for that reason but the good thing about FW's - they're all the same colour!!

Anfernee, we aren't far from each other by the sound of things. Glad to hear you are getting to know your PN and things are going well. Are you riding this as a quad?

I agree with that I even put the same tail pad on my boards so their all the same colour