Surfboards advice

[Thegerman618]

Sorry now as I know this will be long and potentially boring but before I drop $800+ want to make sure I get this right.

Looking for a new stick that will last me a few years and will help push me to the next level. Here is my disclaimer... I am 6' 4" 220lbs which I know limits my options but I try and make up for it with a bigger wave. In the interest of getting the most help I will let you know what I have ridden and what I am looking at:
1. Ronix Koal Fish (4.8) even with a huge wave not enough board for me, it just sank under my feet
2. Ronix Koal Fish (5.4) plenty of board but not very agile more of a cruiser style ride
3. Ronix Carbon Thruster (5.1) My current ride, great action, decent pop, very fast but still a bit long of a board for spins, poor backside riding, HATE the traction pad, still a bit heavy even being carbon
4. CWB Bentley (4.8) DP Powell's board, love this ride, like the look of the blunt nose much easier to control backside, lacks the rocker of surf style, doesn't hold and edge well for a big bottom turn, and its super heavy.
5. Hyperlite Shim (4.6) I like the "slipperiness" of this board and how easy it is to spin, has zero rocker to it which I hate, but does hold an edge better than I expected. But the dislike list of this board could go for days.

Based on what I know about surf boards (which isn't much) I know that I like the agility of surf style with the response of a skim style. I have been looking at the "blended" boards that have been coming out lately and I am very interested. I know that the surface area of the boards like the shim and like models are really locked down to water and require a great deal of power to get them to air out of the lip, where as surf style are easier to get in the air but are big and generally tough to control in the air. I understand that people can do awesome stuff on all of these boards, but I am Intermediate at best. Here is what I have narrowed my list to:
1. Doomswell drone 4.10
2. Ronix Blender 4.8


Each board has their own advantages but are completely different rides (or so I am told). I have spoke with Brock from Doomswell, and he assures me that Drone will do everything I am looking for and will be able to change the ride by swapping fins to change its performance to what I want it to do. The ronix, other than being partial to the line for their quality and personal happiness with all their equipment, have no problem going away from them. The more I research the more I find that i am not sure there is a "production" board from the TOP 5 (Ronix, LF, HL, CWB, ect.) manufactures that will suit my needs/wants.

If anyone is local(ish) to SoCal and has one of the boards listed above would love to demo one if possible.

[JLG]

I own and ride the doomswell drone and neo and am probably about your skill level. Being partial to the doomswell line I'd say drone all the way!! That drone can be purchased for around the $600 mark so if you are being quoted $800 you need to shop around or I'll send you my dealers contact info. The custom doomswells will set you back $800ish fyi.

My dealers worker is about your size and rides the doomswell line also and he dominates the drone and neo boards and is able to do most tricks without issue.

[BCRider]

I'm sure others will chime in as well but I'd also suggest looking at Soulcraft. I have a 4'10" blunt nose honu which I got last year. I'm 6' and 220lbs so right there with ya pretty much...also have taller friends that ride it. The newer slightly different design is the JS Pro. That board size is enough for me. The biggest difference with a surf style board ( I find anyway) is that it wants to be ridden so they are slightly a bit more work behind the boat. It's easier to stand there doing nothing all day long on my older Hyperlite Broadcast. With the difference fin set ups you can adjust the locked in or loose feeling as well.

After that unfortunately I haven't demoed a whole lot of boards to really know all the differences but I am more than happy with my SC.

[skippabcool]

I just asked a similar question on the Tige Owners FB page a couple of days ago. I was considering a Soulcraft or Chaos. Doomswell was brought into the mix from feedback. If you go to the Doomswell FB page you can PM Brock and let him know what you are after and he can give you his recommendation. You can do the same with Nick Wiersema on the Chaos FB page. There are both helpful. I haven't reached out to Jeff at Soulcraft yet but hear he is just as helpful.

[Thegerman618]

I own and ride the doomswell drone and neo and am probably about your skill level. Being partial to the doomswell line I'd say drone all the way!! That drone can be purchased for around the $600 mark so if you are being quoted $800 you need to shop around or I'll send you my dealers contact info. The custom doomswells will set you back $800ish fyi.

My dealers worker is about your size and rides the doomswell line also and he dominates the drone and neo boards and is able to do most tricks without issue.

The new Drone on the doomswell sight said 750, IIRC. The new Blender is a bit more! Please if you have contact for a place to get one cheaper please PM the info.

[007]

Boards are darn expensive and its scary as hell plunking down coin on a custom board without riding one first. That said, based on your info and skill level...I'd make the jump to a Chaos/Soulcraft/Doomswell level. If you have somebody that will let you demo, even better!

We still have a "learner" CWB and a Liquid Force Sweet Spot Pro that we used to think was the bees knees. The more ""production style" boards...if you want to call them that, just lack the responsiveness that a nicer board would have. They are heavier, but they may be more durable if you have a variety of unskilled folks using them. Its kinda like going from a nice crom molly frame to a carbon fiber racing frame if you were ever into road racing bicycles...night and day in the way they move under you. The board becomes a little bit more a part of you. The big "5"as you put it are all solid, dependable boards...but after you have the taste of the next level, they can feel like you driving your dad's Oldsmobile.

Haven't gotten to ride a Chaos yet. Like the Doomswell, love my Soulcraft (Jeff is awesome) and the main contact at all of those types of companies will work with you one on one. Also like my buddy's Victoria "Agent" if you are into skim. Like what I see out of Phase 5 too, but haven't ridden one of those either.

If money were no object...we'd have probably another $2k+ in boards laying around. I am 6'2" and 225+. My wife is much smaller than I am, so we will always be "board poor" in this crazy hobby.

[TeamAllen]

I think SoulCraft is in Carlsbad. Might be worth a drive to check them out?
They might have something to demo?

[JohnnieMo]

I appreciated your run down of the various boards. Myself and most of my buddies are north of 250 so I'm always looking for big boy boards.

I also have a Koal Fish 5'6" and it is the ideal cruiser. Easy to learn on. Goes nice and straight.

I bought a Phase 5 Trident 60" and it was a nice board to ride but I would always bury the nose and kill my ride. I still enjoy it some days. It is super wide and cuts really nice with a sharp edge. I think it would be better at your weight.

I settled on a 4'10" blunt hose Honu and it is a learning process. I honestly think it is still a touch out of my league and perhaps slightly under sized. At 220 I think it would be ideal for you. Either way it is made for an intermediate to advanced rider. I look forward to growing in to it. It is the lightest surf board I've ever touched.

My wife got a carbon thruster and loves it. I kinda wish I had one to try.

Sent from my BlackBerry Priv

[dj2]

I weigh 250 and love my Koal Thruster. Plenty of speed and pretty maneuverable. I have different preferences on fin setup depending on how I am in the mood to ride.

[Thegerman618]

Thanks for all the replies, please keep them coming. I hope no one gets the impression I am bashing the manufactured boards if fact i am always amazed and the consistency they can produce these things at and for off the shelf performance they are awesome. My goal was merely to idenitify what ME/I like and to help dial what I am looking for. Chaos? I must have a chat with Google later, they never turned up in my searches. When I spoke with Jeff at SC he mentioned the honu and spoke highly of it. I didn't list it as a potential as I didn't know or hear of anyone riding it till today. I will do some more homework on it.

I can't help but notice NOBODY mentioned the Ronix Blender, I guess I am glad I didn't pick one up on impulse even with DP Powell standing next to me saying buy it

I really appreciate the advice and confirming that going to a more "custom" stick is the way to go.

[UNSTUCK]

Brad, if freeing up some cash will help you in your decision, I'd be interested in buying your carbon thruster. Broke a fin box off my boat board last time out. I need something asap.

[007]

Blunt Nose Honu is what I ride, Jeff's suggestion for me too. As mentioned, you might have to work it a little more until you get used to it, but I was able to ditch my nickname of "Pearl" I had from riding the IS Sweet Spot Pro (fast board that I am probably just a smidge too heavy for).

[Thegerman618]

Brad, if freeing up some cash will help you in your decision, I'd be interested in buying your carbon thruster. Broke a fin box off my boat board last time out. I need something asap.

Sorry I still love my carbon thruster. I think I am gonna hang on to it for a while.

[Stingreye]

Brands I have riden:

Shred Stixx / Chaos - without getting into the details, most of the good old Shred Stixx designs were done by Nick at Chaos, you want a Chaos board NOT Shred Stixx. I really liked a Ringer I rode at Polar Bear a couple years ago. If I was buying a board that day, I likely would have bought that one. You will see Chaos posting on TO offering his expertise and advice. I bet the Ringer XL might be a good option.

The Walker Project - I have a Bomb Pop 4'10". At first, I preferred a different board but now I love it and its my benchmark board to compare all other boards. Love the board. The Walker Project Signature is similar but a different tail. Both boards ride very similarly. My Bomb Pop is rediculously light but its also very fragile.

Soul Craft - Great boards. One thing I find interesting about them is that even designs that I look at and think "this isn't going to work well", end of riding really well. I am not sure what it is but generally speaking there hasn't been a Soul Craft board I have hated but I have hated several other brand models. Jeff at Soul Craft is a bigger dude so he knows how to make a performance board for bigger riders.

Doomswell - good buddy has owned two different models. I liked them both. I liked my Walker Project slightly more BUT I also ride mine all the time and am very familiar with it.

EverCarve - different models were hit or miss for me. Definitely demo before buying.

TripleX - I had a Triple X Slayer that I would say I liked slightly more than the shorter carbon thruster and less than the Bomb Pop.

If I was going to buy a board, I would likely be choosing between Soul Craft/Chaos/Doomswell.

One thing to note about the Carbon Thruster. In my opinion, the turned up nose requires a slightly bigger board to unlock its speed. I felt like the version I had at times the nose would plow the water a bit and slow down the board. I think I had the 4'7" one. I think you can get away with a 4'8 - 4'10" board if its one of the custom boards.

[Greeko]

I think you cannot go wrong with any custom board manufacturer.

I have ridden Soulcraft, chaos, doomswell, victoria, inland, ronix, hyperlite, liquid force, Walker Project, TripleX, brigade, shredstixx, phase5, idol and a couple others at the Tige wakesurf event in Norcal a couple years back.

Disclaimer:**

I represent and ride for Soulcraft.

I love their boards and everything the stand for! I have ridden a lot of boards and I am just way more comfortable with a Soulcraft under my feet! I have converted a lot of friends and fellow riders..they always get upset and say damnit..you ruined me.. I can't ride my "insert production board brand here" anymore LOL.



Pros: You get the board you want. He has a full arsenal of boards from the beginner to the advanced shredder. What I really like about Jeffs designs is the board WILL grow with you. The same board can be ridden from beginner all the way to advanced.. All you have to do is change the fins...THAT'S IT! $50-$75 and that board goes from beginner...to intermediate...then advanced... Its really that easy~! He stands behind his products and is a great stand up guy.....

I know were not pros or anything.. but just look at the podiums at almost every wakesurf event..How many soulcraft boards do you see..... Exactly... Like 60-70% of podiums and competitors use Soulcraft! THey have to be doing something right...

Cons: Ok, these boards are NOT cheap!!! They will be a bit more than a production style high end board, its really an investment in your sport and self.... They are fragile, do not put them in racks, keep them in board bags out of the sun...

I can give you a general idea of where you want to go for board choice, size, width and fin selection.