Quad-5 vs Futura

[ripperb]

First a little background info, I am 5"9 and 165lbs. I live on the east coast of the US near the outer banks. So, most of the time the surf is smaller wind swell, however we do get our share of good surf during hurricane season. I am looking to replace my 6'3" Al Merrick Flyer 2 model in tuflite construction. The volume of that board is listed at 30 cc. I love the shape of the board, especially the swallow tail, but am left a little wanting of the flex found in PU and Firewire boards. I currently own a 5'10" FST Spitfire that I use in the smaller surf. This board would primarily be used when the surf gets bigger and more vertical.

I had a question for the about the differences between the Quad-5 and the Futura (only boards with a swallow tail??). I would be looking at a 6'2" Quad-5 vs a 6'0" Futura. From what I can tell both boards have been described as being similar to the Alternator. I haven't yet seen the Quad 5 in person, but my local shop does have a 6'0" Futura. The Futura feels a lot different than my Spitfire (not sure why the Spitfire is listed under a different category than the Dominator because it is a lot more similar to it than the Futura and Stealth). It seems to have a lot less bulk and slight single concave with some added tail rocker. How does this board compare and differ from the Quad-5? My assumption would be more entry and tail rocker on the Quad-5 with a little harder rail, would I be correct? What would be the adv vs disadv of both boards given what I am trying to replace?

Thanks.

[prjwebb]

I think the main different is the Futura has the wide point a little further forward where as the quadra5 has a central wide point. I'd say the Q5 would have a little more rocker also but I'm not certain about that.
I think if you're gearing towards better surf the Q5 is a better choice whereas if you were looking for an all rounder then the Futura has a little more low end than the Q5.

[Fritzkat]

ripperb

I compared the Q-5 to the Futura at a shop, between those two, Q-5 is the way to go for more performance and larger waves. Q-5 the rails are thinner and less forgiving, but give a good bite when turning/carving hard. Q-5 nose is narrower, so less chance of it catching in the face of the wave on a late drop.

Dont forget the Activator has a swallow tail, pulled in more or so than the Dominator and the spitfire.

[Chris]

yeah good stuff folks. the quadra 5 also is a little more drawn out so you certainly would be riding it longer. i think the futura has far more versatility in smaller conditions while the quadra 5 certainly a true high-performance shortboard!

Cheers!

[buzzy]

I've ordered a Quadrafive now (6'6"). When its available I'll be well placed to compare and contrast with the Futura and Alternator (since I already own both!).

[Chris]

yeah buzzy!

[Slowman]

Nice, looks very much like the Webber Afterburner. What is the bottom contour?

[buzzy]

I haven't got it yet but I'm assuming a mellow single concave like most of the earlier models. I gather in rocker and bottom contours its basically the same as the Alt but with a different outline and fin configuration.

[Slowman]

I think the main different is the Futura has the wide point a little further forward where as the quadra5 has a central wide point...

Just on the widepoint for these boards the blurb on the Futura states the wide point is "back of center" and similarly for the Quad-5:

We've pushed the wide point back slightly to create a fuller tail, while still maintaining an even curve throughout.

though I think the futura probably has a bit more area forward for added versatility. Anyone run it through the compare utility?

[buzzy]

Based on a comparison of a 6'4" Futura and 6'6" Quadrafive the Futura is markedly wider in the nose. That's the most obvious difference between the two on the factors featured on board compare. Also, the Futura is wider generally, but the nose width does seem to be the major area of difference.

I assume the QF has more rocker than the Futura but obviously more centre volume. I'm guessing the rails will be similar although its earlier been mentioned the QF's rails are more refined.