riding 506 Spitfire looking for step up

[delmarsurfer]

I wanted to get some opinions on boards as I am "considering" getting a 2nd board.
Some facts first: 5'3, 140lbs, surf North County San Diego, low intermediate (newer to surfing but improving quickly), currently riding 506 Spitfire and sometimes feel like a need a board with a little more manueverability. Although it very well could just be the operator and the need to improve my skills further.
I tested the 508 Hellfire last night, nice board but maybe feels too much volume, and am going to try the 506 Hellfire this weekend.

I want something that can still paddle well and catch waves in the 3 foot range but allows me to surf more aggressively, start to go top to bottom, etc. especially as waves get bigger. As of now I pretty much surf 3-6 foot max.
If I were to step up what boards would be recommended and what size? What would some of the characteristics I could expect?
If I am totally off base and I just need to keep improving on my 506 Spitfire before stepping up let me know.
Thank you all in advance for your opinions.

By the way I love the Spitfire and maybe could have gone 504 but my 506 catches a lot of waves, especially this Summer, and has helped me improve alot.

[prjwebb]

510 Alternator?

[csarqui]

My opinion is that you are riding way too big of a Spitfire. You're at the absolute top of the recommendations for the your volume. I started off with a Dominator that was 1 size too big. The thing was sluggish, slow, and hard to move around. I came down 1 size (with a Spitfire), which is in the middle of my volume recommendation, and everything changed. I surf the board 5 times a week (on average) in knee to slightly overhead waves. It still gets into waves very early, but with the smaller size it's much more of high performance board. Now I'm looking to go down 1 more notch and give it a try.

[Baker]

If you're looking for something with a bit more whip then maybe have a look at the 5'9 hellrazor, I think if you already have a spit then the hellfires are too similar. That or like prj mentioned the alt in a 5'10. Don't be tempted to go too low on volume else your wave count and enjoyment could suffer. You could also just try a 5'4 spit to liven up things.

[delmarsurfer]

csarqui - According to the FW Volume Calculator and an Intermediate skill level I am right in the middle (it says 25-31 liters). I imagine those are basic guidelines and a lot more plays into it.
I must say I agree that sometimes things feel a little sluggish, slow and hard to move around and I wonder if it's the board, my ability or a combination of both.
Since I am 5'3 it doesn't sound like me going with a 5'4 Spitfire is out of line at all. If I were to do that do you think the board would begin to feel more high performance?

My main concern is that I go too short or can't paddle into enough waves but it's probably not that big of a step down once you paddle on it a couple of times.

Any thoughts on what I may notice performance wise would be appreciated.

[Baker]

Delmar, i'm 5'10 and 150lbs and the 5'6 spit paddles like motorboat for me...and i'm 40! Okay so i've been surfing for 20 odd years but i don't think you will have any issues with the 5'4 if that's what you really want.

The main thing is; can you catch waves easily and are you having fun? Don't try and change boards because you think it will help you rip more, you're much more likely to progress better and quicker on something isn't suited to the likes of Gabriel Media. When you get there, then maybe look at changing to a performance model. When i was younger i rode boards that were 6'0 x 17 7/8 x 2, that was what people rode in AUS back then, but i would have caught a lot more waves and probably had more fun on something shorter and wider, unfortunately no boards around like at the time so making up now!

Don't know what fins you use but with your weight maybe try M2's or M3's or like i do M5/GL as a quad. You'll be surprised what the right fins in the right board can do.

[delmarsurfer]

Baker - great advice. The 505 Spit definitely allows me to catch waves easily and have fun. However, it seems most are riding the Spitfire size at or below their height. Mine is 3 inches longer than I am.
Well, I am supposed to be able to test a 506 Hellfire soon so maybe that will give me a little better idea of what the 504 Spitfire would be like.

I am using K2.1 fins as a thruster. I also have a set of the JW-1's in a thruster. Any other fin recommendations for the Spitfire?

[Chris]

gotta throw in the SF4s as a good quad set.

[delmarsurfer]

Hey Chris - got anything to throw in on the sizing question I started with?
What will I notice performance wise with the quad SF4's?
I always enjoy hearing your thoughts. Thanks.

[benny81]

gotta throw in the SF4s as a good quad set.

SF4s Standard!! love em! might even treat myself to some PCs