Another ength post.

[RockyHill]

I'm really interested in the Sweet Potato. I'm 5' 10" and weigh about 155 pounds. While it seems that most people my height are getting their SP at around the 5'2" - 5'6" range I was thinking somewhere in the 5'10 - 6' range. I've only been surfing for about a year and I currently own a 7' fun board and a 6'6" "short"board. I love riding the 6'6" but my wave count really suffers when I'm facing less then ideal conditions and when I'm not in top paddling condition(which lately seems to be most of the time). These two condition usually make my 6'6" a pain to paddle most of the time. While with my 7' I can get more waves I don't like how unresponsive it is. What I'm essentially getting at is, what is your opinion on length(I'm essentially a advanced-beginner) and my choice of the SP my needs.

Thanks so much!

PS: I surf in Central California which unlike most of California isn't blessed with amazing waves. Thanks for the help again!!

[iggy]

At 155lbs the 5'10" will float you like a longboard. That board has tons of foam in it and a massive tail that,if oversized will cause trouble to move around.
My choice would be on the 5'0"-5'2" range for an intermediate surfer.
Now reading that you're experiencing problems paddling and despite the volume that this board offers, have you taken a look at the Addvance as well?Looks like you like boards with quite a bit of volume
If what's turning you down is the downsize, maybe it will be a good idea to look towards other models, like the Dominator which will add a few more inches into the mix.
What conditions will you be surfing the board mainly?.

[raysal]

Hey Iggy! i know this is an old subject, but i really need some advice from someone experienced like you to help me order the right size for me. I am 27 y/o 5'7, 170 lbs well built - been surfing for 15 years, ride 5'11 - 6'0 short boards with good experience and with an open mind. i tried the volume calculator on the FW website and it put me on a 4'10 SP, i am positively sure that i'm not going for the 4'10. I was thinking more towards the 5'2 or the 5'0 (minimum).. my question is will it make a big difference in performance if i'll choose the 5'2 as it is 4 inches bigger than what the calculator offered me or is there a thing with the calculator that just offers smaller boards than actually needed?, as if you can just fill in that you are intermediate and not inter/advanced and it will give you a completely different volume! my standard SB's are around the 26-27 vol. range -- Im just looking to ride it in 1-3 ft surf, and fear of getting a board that will be on the small side. I'll appreciate any kind of help, thanks in advance!

[prjwebb]

I'm 170lbs, standard shortboard volume 27-28l. I'm riding the 5'2 Potato. You could drop to the 5'0 pretty easy but the extra volume is nice for the smaller, weaker waves you'd predominantly surf the board in.
If you're in warm water the 5'0 could be a good pick.

[raysal]

Yup! Just came back from the FW retailer and ordered the 5'0 witch ill be surfing mostly in warm water (Israel), and can't wait to get it yeeewwwww!!! thanks alot prjwebb

[RockyHill]

I have a 6'6" swallow tail that has similar dimensions to the Addvance but isn't as wide and not as much volume in the front. It definitely doesn't have as much foam. My 6'6" works pretty well in more ideal waves and my 7" is kinda like my small wave board but I just dont like taking it out much. Generally it just doesn't feel really responsive and I can't pump the board much. It just doesn't feel lively. It's approaching spring so our swell will be dying down and the wave are generally in the 1-4ft range at best(I surf mostly beach breaks). And most of the time we dont have a whole lot of definition to our waves(in the spring/summer). I like the idea of the SP and part of it's appeal comes from it's volume. I was going with the SP because I thought I could get a lot of foam in a smaller more responsive board and could replace/contend with my 7" in terms of wave size for this coming spring and summer. Plus I thought it would be a good addition for those winter days when everything is blown out(which seems to be often =/ ). However if you think another model is going to be a better choice and a more versatile board I'm more then interested. I like the look of the patatonator as it has a different tail then my 6'6" and retains it's width more throughout the tail(something my current 6'6" doesn't do). Maybe in the 6'4" range?

[iggy]

I think the issue here is with oversizing, that's why you find your 7'0" is not responsive. At your weight seems like too much foam to be moved around. I think you should be downsizing a bit not only in length, but also in volume. For the kind of conditions you are describing, I would stick with either the Addvance or the Potato,both excellent stable boards
Do you have the chance over there to test the boards?? or at least see the boards mano a mano?

[RockyHill]

Unfortunately no. I wen't to my local retailer and they don't have any Potato's to demo, in fact they didn't even have a potato there. I didn't really look for the Addvance but I don't remember it being their. I know they had the Dominator though(although it isnt really in the discussion). Unfortunately none of my friends own a potato either so I'm a little in the dark. I feel like the Addvance is a very similar board to my 6'6" just with more foam and while I wish I could buy it too I feel like I should expand my quiver. . If I were to get a Potato how small should I go? Keeping in mind my skill level.

[prjwebb]

5'6" potato might be fun. i demoed a 5'8" because it was all there was available and it was huge for me. That said, I had a lot of fun on it racing down the line, but couldn't really turn it well because it was far too big for me. I'm going to be getting a 5'2" soon.

[iggy]

Considering your experience level and the frequency you surf I would go for the 5'4" max 5'6".The extra length/volume will help with the paddling issue