Potatonator

[iggy]

It all depends on your preferences and how small of a board you have ever ridden. The thing when among to small wave boards, going too small will defeat the purpose of it when it comes to suit the low end of the small. Also by shortening the rail line some changes use be made in order to compensate.
In my case I'm 84Kg and like my boards on the 30lts range. When I got my first potato I was sckeptic of going too small since my smaller board at the time was a 5'8". So I ordered a 5'6" and after a few surfs I found it really over volumend. Fun on the really small stuff since I was catching anything and everything but when it came to performance it was just dragging a bit too much. That's why I changed for a 5'2" and could not be happier.Perfect for my day to day small stuff
It all depends what you want the board for and what conditions you regularly expect to surf it on.
What are your dims?.

[prjwebb]

Looking at your other posts, you're 5'7" and 155lbs right? Based on that I think the 5'4" would work well for you. Guys in the 170lbs range seem to be enjoying the 5'6".
That said, guys in the 170lbs range are also enjoying the 5'8" Sub Scorcher so it's down to you whether you think the small volume increase coupled with the shorter and wider outline will be enough for the small stuff or if you want a big volume jump also.

[GLH_UK]

Prj is correct on the dims. I want this board for 1-3ft waves and have the ability to surf even on the marginal days.

When you mention shorter rail line and wider outline, is this ehat makes the board tick in small waves?

It seems to me that 27.3L of volume in the sub is ideal for chest plus and maybe punchy waist but would it not be better to increase volume for small waves?

[prjwebb]

Most people would yes. If you like the volume of the sub in better waves but find it lacking in weaker waves then i'd recommend going with the higher volume PN.

[iggy]

seems to me that 27.3L of volume in the sub is ideal for chest plus and maybe punchy waist but would it not be better to increase volume for small waves?

Yes indeed since the board will get shorter

[GLH_UK]

Probably a stupid question;

Are we saying that the 1L extra volume of the 5'4'' in a wider, shorter template, thus foam volume distributed differently will give me what i am after in small waves or that to really benift in small waves, the 5'6'' with an extra 3L is the call.

I assume it will be a trade off between the 5'4'' feeling more lively and intune with the 5'8'' SC i currently ride and the 5'6'' having additional floatation in the small stuff but maybe feeling a bit more clunky if you like.

The last thing i want is to feel like i am riding a boat but i also dont want to be struggling throughout the summer.

Is the idea to keep the volume a constant and spread it differently to suit different waves????

[prjwebb]

It's a bit of both really.
In a shorter wider board of a similar volume you're getting all that volume in a flat little planing area right underneath you, but at the same time as conditions get worse it's nice to have a little extra volume.
I ride the 5'8" Sub also and would be getting on a 5'6" Potatonator no question. You're quite a bit lighter than me which opens up the 5'4" as an option but based on the conditions you've been preferring the Sub in I think going with the extra volume of the 5'6" will give you more enjoyment in smaller stuff. Once it gets bigger I'm sure you'd be jumping back on the Sub anyway.

[iggy]

It's a bit of both really.
In a shorter wider board of a similar volume you're getting all that volume in a flat little planing area right underneath you, but at the same time as conditions get worse it's nice to have a little extra volume.
I ride the 5'8" Sub also and would be getting on a 5'6" Potatonator no question. You're quite a bit lighter than me which opens up the 5'4" as an option but based on the conditions you've been preferring the Sub in I think going with the extra volume of the 5'6" will give you more enjoyment in smaller stuff. Once it gets bigger I'm sure you'd be jumping back on the Sub anyway.

Agreed there!!

[Chris]

good feedback PRJ

[daven]

anyone know the width 12 inches down from nose on pn? and width 12 inches up from tail on the 5-8 or 5-10. curious in comparison to my 5-4 sp if its too pulled in for my likings.