When do we get a big wave board for big guys - rounded pin?

[Ben]

Buzz, I can see you have sneaked in a 604 Futura on the quiver there....its 35.4 liters, how does it compare to your current 2 board setup? How often do you surf the Futura (what conditions)?

Cheers

[buzzy]

Ben, it hasn't arrived yet. It won't arrive until June I'm told. I'll be sure to give a report. Basically though I was looking for something more refined than the Dom but not a shortboard. Also, I felt that the Alt had just a touch too much foam for me at 90-91kg, but still very much useable - last surf on it was fantastic. I was after a Hellfire at 6'4" or 6'6" or a Futura at 6'4" to sit between the Dom and Alt. I was tossing up between the HF lengths and it kind of dawned in me I could use the Futura at 6'4" but retain a tad of extra width, and it's really probably the planing surface I need (given an adequate amount of foam) rather than volume. Having said that, I'd probably feel more comfortable in my mind if the Futura was 37 litres rather than 36, but it's not a huge difference.

As I mentioned in another thread if I can get the Alternator at 6'8" in a rount tail I'd be very happy. I may also look at a 6'6" Alt just with a touch of extra width (I'm 46 going on 47 yoa) via CBD but really, I should be quite happy with the quiver as it is because, as I say, the excess volume I perceive in the Alt is really very marginal.

So yeah, I reckon 38 litres is probably about right for me at 90-91kg, with a tad more in a small wave board (ie the Dom or Spit), where I'm happy to carry a tad more volume. But really I don;t think a couple of litres either way is going to make a huge difference as I'd adjust.

[Magnet]

Scott PJ's assessment of 7'2" FE and 6'10 ALT is probably about right, I would add that to me, the rails of the 6'10 look too thick to really be the goods as a step up...when it's big you really need that finer, dependable rail connection in my view, which is what led me to the 7'2" FE. I've belated on for ages that there's a gap in the firewire range in this space. Since getting that board tho, I was lucky enough to get a round tail 6'8" designed by Nev and that is a great 4 to 7 foot board too so there is some cross over there. Buzzy, I see that you want one, if coming to Auckland you can buy mine as I'm getting a little overlapped in my quiver having just added an HF. As an aside I actually find the 7'2" almost as easy to turn in solid surf as my 6'8 ALTs - I think it's the increased rocker. Only issue is adjusting to the extra length, especially when you've been riding a spud all summer!

[Magnet]

Oh Scott, to answer your question directly, paddle in is about the same I would say...

[scott]

thanks magnet and pjrweb. my concern is that the flexfire would be less forgiving. i'm used to the alternator but definitely not as good as i'd like to be on it. i'd hate to surf something more challenging on bigger days. from a beginning intermediate perspective what do you think is the safer (less likely to blow it) choice :)

thanks

also, Chris. how's the new line coming?

[buzzy]

I'd personally suggest just hanging for the new step up line. Chris will no doubt be more precise, but I suspect that the step up line is probably the next development to be implemented.

[scott]

right on. i'm waiting to see what chris has to say. we get some monster souths at my break so i don't have too much time :)

[Chris]

Hey scott its being put together, but don't hold your breath, its still a season away.

[scott]

thanks chris!

[gkekoa]

Ben wat kind of fins u use for your alternator? Different ones for different conditions? And what size of waves do u use fins in,Mahalo, gkekoa