Sweet Potato - Need Advises

[jsurfer]

I could see how my indecisiveness could be frustrating at this point! :) . I wish a shop had a demo around here but looks like someone is going to let me try out their 5'2'' today and see if it's what I'm looking for. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks

[Chris]

fritzcat, you know I think at your height, a 510 or 600 would be fine. part of it for you will be that you have a wide enough stance to push around that added volume.

I think its an important note for everyone that in certain cases, such as being taller or shorter than normal, board suggestions might deviate a bit from a normal "weight based" suggestion.

Cheers

[Chris]

jhoyjr, yeah you are doing alright in the 502 range in my opinion. I have ridden the 506 down to the 502 and for me, I could have realistically seen myself on any of them, just depends on the waves. I think the 502 will give you enough volume and still plenty of float for your weight. its SUPER FLAT so it catches waves easily so keep that in mind!

[jsurfer]

So this morning I took out the 5'2'' Sweet Potato (rapidfire). It floated me great and I could actually duck dive it. Wave conditions were 1-2 foot and very mushy. Common for FL most days. Glad I was able to give it a test drive though before buying because I felt like it was a bit short. I stood up and road a few waves but I'm almost thinking that I would love for the board to get up and glide across sections like a fun board. Maybe that's not what it was designed for but the 5'2'' still needed a bit more push for today. So I'm thinking now maybe the 5'6'' would be it. (?) or maybe even bigger (?). What do you guys think?

[iggy]

Stick to the 5'4". The 5'6" will be a bit too much volume in my opinion

[skindog]

I'm inclined to disagree. I'm 6'4" and 190lbs, got a 6'2" SP and love it for its intended purpose. I could certainly have gone smaller, but why? It floats through the whitewash, easy to turn on the face (if my rear foot is back far enough), loads of speed, and I can duck dive it in up to shoulder high waves. What's the point in going smaller? Only thing I think would happen is less rail length and glide, less speed. If you're more interested in how you look carrying it to the beach, go tiny. Want to have fun on something that's supposed to be the longboard day alternative, get something that doesn't compromise.

[iggy]

That's exactly what I mean. Everybody is different and all depends on personal preferences and purposes.
In my case and according to what he had expressed in previous statements, I would recommend the 5'4" to maintain a good balance on what he wants. In my case I owned a 5'6" and sold it to get a 5'2". At 165lbs the 5'6" it was simply too buoyant for what I wanted to get from the board. Again that is me

[Andy]

Hey jhoyjr, it has been interesting to read your posts, especially your report on riding the 5'2. I have had exactly the same dilemma as you for the last month or so....5'2 or 5'4. Interestingly, I am similar in weight and height to you (154 pounds & 5'11). Unlike you however, I haven't been able to get my hands on either size board as demos in my area are in short supply (ie: non existent). When you rode the 5'2, did you catch waves easily enough? From your report it seemed as though you still had to work the board a little bit on the waves, rather than the board doing the work for you. From the test ride, have you decided the 5'2 definitely isn't for you?

[jsurfer]

Hey Andy, yeah I decided that the 5'2'' is definitely not for me. Felt too short. The wave was pretty small today, knee to thigh high and VERY mushy (not as good of waves as on the youtube sweet potato videos) and I had to work pretty hard to paddle into the few waves that I did catch... also was hopping up and down a lot to try and stay in the wave. I wasn't on the wave that long where as my 8'4'' mini longboard would still be gliding over the whitewash for me. (Again, these were very weak waves!). So on the one hand I was impressed that I was actually on the wave- something that my Spitfire wouldn't have worked on for me. Not to mention the other short boarders out weren't catching anything. But like Iggy said it comes down to preference, and a lot of guys want to ride the small board on a day like that to whip around-- but I'm kinda thinking that my preference for this kind of board is more like Skindog's preference - something I can catch anything on with lots of foam to glide over the whitewash when the waves starts to mush out but obviously turn better than an 8'4''. No sharp turns, maybe a slow cut back to get back in the wave. I know I could just take out my mini longboard for these conditions but I would love for a sweet potato to do the same! If the wave is at least waist high I'll most likely be on my 5'8'' Hellfire- but on the smaller/ weaker days would love a sweet potato. So if Skindog is riding the 6'2'' and getting that extra-foam benefit I wonder what board would do the same for me at 150lbs- the 5'6'' or 5'8''? Iggy you said 5'4'' so I'm still thinking about that one too. (Again for those reading this I wouldn't consider myself an advanced surfer...just basic turns and hitting the lip, etc .. no airs).

[iggy]

I think that the 5'4" will float you plenty at your weight and will glide you along sections with ease while keeping the sharpy edge needed, But for what I can see, you're still reluctant about the length. I owned a 5'6" and that thing was huge, at 21" wide it felt like I was riding a cut off longboard, lots of fun but I wanted to get a little extra out of it. At tho point, like when you are organizing dinner is better a little extra that not enough.
I would stick to the 5'4" but for what I see you're aiming for the 5'6" due to your experience with the 5'2". Ultimately it's up to you, nobody knows you better than yourself. For what you want the board for,the little extra will not hurt. I guess this is what you wanted to hear right??? ;) jejeje