New Alternator or Hellfire?

[pablo]

Hey guys,

I am looking at adding a third board to my quiver (6'4" Dom, 5'6" Sweet Pot) and I am tossing up between a 6'4" Hellfire or a 6'6" Alternator. I would consider myself an intermediate surfer, 40 years old, 6'2" and weigh in at about 83 kgs. My fitness is pretty good but time on the water fairly slim in the last 6 months. The new board is coming with me on a Maldives boat trip so will be used (hopefully) in some fairly clean fun waves.

Does anyone have any opinions either way? Is the Hellfire too close to the Dom?

Cheers,

Pablo

[buzzy]

I personally think the Alt and Dom are well matched boards. I think it'd be perfect at the length you have in mind. It's basically your classic all round, every day shortboard for everyday mortals.

The Hellfire has fans no doubt but I like the Alt.

[Slowman]

Buzzy, one day you have to try the HF, I swear you'll be a convert!

[buzzy]

True, true. Indeed I might demo one this weekend. But I do like my boards uncomplicated. The Alt remains for me probably the best board I've surfed.

[Magnet]

I've ridden both and would actually go hellrazor, refined rails of the alt in a more modern zippier design with quad option, be brilliant for maldives. Just back from fiji on mine - cant fault it.

[buzzy]

There are definitely a lot of FireWire boards that cross over in that area. Hell razor, Quadrafive, Alt, the Michel Bourez for a touch more performance, and then the more hybrid boards like the Hellfire, Futura, and Mini Driver. I tend to be drawn to the cleaner shapes with less aggressive bottom contours and traditional rails, and others prefer different designs. It's not really a right and wrong equation. Most people of average to better surfing ability could blindly choose any of these boards at a volume appropriate to their weight and they'd perform fantastically. Just they all give a slightly different feel and might prefer slight different wave shapes. Because of the flex mainly, but also durability, in my view any of these would perform better than virtually all traditionally constructed boards.

[jynxz]

I had the same dilemma and ended up going with the 6'4 HF. Awesome fast, loose board and I love it. I think whatever you choose HF, Alt or HZ you are going to be stoked.

[pablo]

Think I have made a decision on this...Hell Fire it is. Thanks everyone for the input...appreciate it.

[Piha Local]

6/4 Hellfire, boat trip, Maldives-----match made in heaven. Riptides, May 2012. Have fun Pablo.DSC01938.jpg

[surferireland]

peak.jpg The alternator will handle the bigger more powerful surf better, makes taking big drops easier. Had my 6'6 out yesterday in solid double over head (pic above). It handled it with ease, Its very sure footed and reliable in the bigger surf the extra length on my alternator also makes it a real easy board to paddle, long and "quite" narrow,