Chubby Chedda & PotatoNator - too much overlap?

[Het Masteen]

I was planning on getting myself a 6' 2" Chubby Chedda and a 5' 8"/5'10"? PotatoNator. Its my first introduction to Firewire boards & I haven't been able to try a demo model of either. I am wondering whether there is too much overlap between these 2 boards in terms of the types of waves they are suited to - are they both gonna fill the same niche? I fear that I will end up never using one of them - what do you think?
Also, as an aside, i figured out the sizes to go for based on the firewire volume calculator - i'm 6', approaching 40 and fit, but my surfing hasn't progressed much beyond bottom turns & some mediocre turns off the top - do you reckon I'm looking at boards with the right sort of volume?

Thanks heaps for any info/advice/opinions you can give!

[50young]

what do you weigh??

[buzzy]

I reckon those boards have the makings of a great quiver up to 1.5x overhead or so. Perfect.

In terms of lengths they look about right but it turns on your weight. How much do you weigh?

[Het Masteen]

Ah - yes - missed that bit - I'm in the 75-80 kg range.

[50young]

I would think those lengths will be ok at your weight. What type of waves are you riding, beachies, reefs steep sucky or mush?

[Het Masteen]

I'm down south in VIC, surfing a mix of reefs & beachies. I don't tend to put myself out amongst waves that are more than 1.5 x head height and usually rampy reef waves when it is that big. The beachies tend to be steeper and can get a bit hollow, but I'm not usually out in them if its over head height. I get waves around the surf coast, mornington & phillip island mostly, but would want the Chedda to be versatile enough to travel with a bit.

[buzzy]

5'8" or 5'10" would be fine on the Potatonator. In the CC somewhere in the 6'0" to 6'2" lengths would work. I think the longer lengths are on the more conservative side in that you may be sacrificing performance for paddling power, but I can understand why you might want to keep a bit of beef on the board. Is it possible to demo a Firewire - any model would do - in a volume close to the ones you have in mind? That would give you a better idea on paddle ability and performance.

[kdropin]

i want to go potatonator/ chedda combo eventually once i get the money.. and use my razor if its hollow and the sweet if i don't sell it when its almost flat i happen to b at the beach

[pmorgan]

Hi Het.

I have a PN and a SC which is very similar to the CC. I us the SC as a short HP board in better surf. I keep the PN for smaller surf or when it’s onshore not so good. I also think the PN is great to hone your skills on and later transfer to the CC.
I was also guilty of just doing bottom turns and weaker off the top,s. The PN encourages you to try more maneuvers making you a better surfer.
Any time I have a bad surf session on any of my other boards the PN is dragged out and all is well again.
Size wise the 508 is a lot of board. I had one and sold very quickly I am 70kgs just 5 less that you and I am currently looking at downsizing to a 504. The board is that good.

[Matt_s]

pmorgan i see your 5'6 potatonator is for sale, can i ask how you found it size wise? compared to the 5'4, im around your size but a little taller and have been looking at both sizes. Is there a lot of difference in the way they ride?