Lost Minnie Drivers have arrived!

[robgnyc]

Chris,

With the big jump in volume from the 5'8 to the 5'10 (25.3 to 27.8) which would you recommend for a good surfer who is 5'10 and 160 lbs and 40 years old? Think I'm actually smack in between the two more at the stock poly 5'9 x 19 1/4 x 2 5/16 size but would lean toward the 5'10 if the rails are a bit foiled. The polys I've seen feel kinda fat. Not sure if the firewire tech changes makes up enough for the volume of the 5'8 being so low. Also when will they be hitting the east coast as stock non-special orders?

[Bumper]

Chris. How does it compare to the hellfire? Will it be a better board in good barreling overhead waves?

[Chris]

Hey robg, they are still a little ways off from nationwide inventory. There are only a few shops with them here on the west coast. I think that its still a couple weeks away from full on distribution, think mid July.

I too am between the 510 and 600. For you being in the east coast, i think you would ok with the 510. its a good tapered board with a lot of rocker and essentially a performance thumb tail, so off the cuff I feel the 510 is a good choice...

[Chris]

Bumper I think that comes down to your style. I feel the hellfire might have a bit more of a hybrid ride to it, as it has more volume per unit length. It also has a bit more width and has a dramatic bottom contour making it very unique. As a result it has the volume and ease of use to be a great board in solid surf.

The Minnie is more of a high performance short boarder's choice with a slight single to double concave, progressive rocker and thumb tail. All of this is smashed into a shortboard that you should likely ride 1-2" shorter than your go to shortboard. In the end it will feel and ride more like a shortboard, but I think its a more difficult board to ride and would be more preferred by someone who has short boarded for years..

I haven't yet ridden it in overhead barrels but I think it would feel pretty good. you ride it short so don't think of it as a true step up, more of just a way to ride steep, solid waves with a little less length...

[Erling]

Looks like the rocker is about the same as the Altertnator? Actually looks like the MD has got more volume
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/qu...st_mini-driver

Alternator:
alt.jpg

Mini Driver:
MD.jpg

Hellrazor:
hr.jpg

Hellfire:
hf.jpg



If I was to replace the 6'2 alternator and maybe the 5'8 spitfire, could the Mini Driver be a good option? Looking at volume I'm thinking 6'0 MD, but would the 6'2 be too big?

Or, would the Hellfire/Hellrazor be a better option?

[Erling]

Click the photo for larger version...


alt vs md.jpg

[FW - Fan]

Hey Chris..dont take this as a whinge..but why does Matt have such big gaps in the volume of this boards?? Variations of 3.5 litres per size or thereabouts makes one have to pick a board that is either too small or too big. Its a shame and I reckon would be holding back sales a bit. Curious as to what you think.

[buzzy]

A really good looking shape. I'd love to get my hands on a demo at least. It's hard to get your head around where it sits in a quiver given it looks so much like a Dom in plan shape except maybe more nose width(?) proportionally at least. Sounds like it has more rocker, which is a good thing I think.

Anyway, finally pick up the Futura later this week so far more theoretical than real, and I can't really see a gap in my quiver it fills. The next size down Alt is probably the next logical step. But gee the MD looks the goods for something!

[Chris]

Hey all,
one thing, when looking at the foils, don't forge to take into account the other specs such as width and thickness. I personally would be riding the Minnie Driver 2 inches shorter than my Alternator I believe. The 510 Mini Driver is wider and just as thick. when you have more width over a similar rocker profile, you definitely increase the small wave usability of the board. that being said, this is a great thread for t hose who are thinking the Mini Driver is going to be small wave whiz. There is still a lot of rocker and the nose/tail of the board are relatively refined. This means its likes better surf. Put it in the same category as the alternator and hell razor, perhaps just below...

that's my take.

[Chris]

FW - Fan, we just can't build every length of every board so we decided to start the Mini Driver with even inch increments. At some point down the road we may add more lengths, but as of now that is the story.

Cheers and hope this helps