Weight of potatonator FST versus rapidfire

[Chris]

yeah guys just so you know there is a little bit of a difference between the FST and rapidfire techs in respect to weight. The 506 Potatonator at 5.5lbs doesn't sound bad to me at all??

[surfernick]

So I gotta say that I really dig the board. I have ridden it a couple times at Trestles on good days and around North San Diego. This is a 5'6''. I love the takeoff speed and bottom turn ability which I wasn't expecting. Top turns seem a little bizarre and really loose with a quad set up but then again this thing is super small. I rode it as a thruster and I probably won't ever again because you really lose a lot of speed which is definitely necessary with such a small board. My biggest complaint though is letting my brother use it and noticing a heel dent which will inevitably crack in a few sessions. This really shouldn't be happening on a new board with FST technology. I recall the early boards holding up a lot better and this had to have been my 4th session. Are they still great boards.. yes.. But the durability claim just isn't there anymore.

You know I had problems with the RF dominator because of the heel or knee dents that gradually turned into cracks. I'm sure heat played a role but so far I have had no problems with the subscorcher I got back in December and I ride that 5'10'' in everything up to like 8'. I highly recommend that board for someone that likes high performance but still wants just a little help getting into waves. I like it a lot more over the dominator because while the dominator was a great all around board, I still had to nurse it on my bottom turns and it didn't have the speed when waves got bigger and faster. In terms of board delams, I think what it really boils down to is just being good to your board after your done surfing it: washing it off and always storing it in a bag. You do that and they will last. Either way, going into local surf shops I cannot believe the cost difference between firewires and other boards like Merricks and JS which are PU. They are about a $50 difference and well worth the price in the long run. Still waiting and praying for surf here in So Cal.

[Chris]

Hey Surfernick,
the truth is heel dents have been happening since we have been making boards. If someone does something funny on the 4th or 104th session, the result can be a hell dent.

We have never said the boards are indestructible, and as with any sporting good built out of foam, fiberglass and wood, damage can occur at any time.

Cheers

[surfernick]

It's cool Chris. Actually it occurred during a session when I let my heel heavy brother surf the board for a couple waves so ya things like this do happen. I actually think it is more of an issue because of how the rails are designed and the deck has that curvature towards the rails making it more prone to these types of things. I was just giving an honest critique. I know if it were a PU board the dent would have been cracked. I think just throwing a laminate over with fiberglass cloth should be protective enough since it hasn't cracked yet. I still love the board and surf it leash-less quite a bit. I still think you guys make great boards albeit wasn't expecting this on an FST.

Hey Surfernick,
the truth is heel dents have been happening since we have been making boards. If someone does something funny on the 4th or 104th session, the result can be a hell dent.

We have never said the boards are indestructible, and as with any sporting good built out of foam, fiberglass and wood, damage can occur at any time.

Cheers

[MaxUK]

I'm just about to pull the trigger on a RF Potatonator rather than an FST version. I've just got back from France where I was riding my old 5'10 Dom FST (with the vent) which seems relatively light and have now gone back to my 5'4 SweetPot FST (no vent) and god it seems so heavy. I know there's extra volume in the SP which would make it heavier but it seems more than that. I've had some amazing surfs on my FST SP but cant help thinking I'm missing another 20% of stoke if it wasn't lighter with more control. Hard to know whats the best choice, FST for amazing durability or RF weight.

Be good if the size and volume tables had the base weight without fins for each of the boards and sizes.

[surferireland]

- For best performance FST for your boards you surf in powerful larger surf - RF for small wave boards -

[Rusty]

I agree , also FST makes for better travel boards, less chance of damage in cargo. My everyday boards are RF . Plus I trust FST when waves have more juice .