Calibrated Piscus -vs- Walker X 5.0

[Razzman]

Surfdad you out there? I've narrowed my choices down to either the Calibrated Picus or the Walker Composite X 5.0. Weighing in around 185-190 will i have trouble with either of these boards? I'm looking for good board that i can ride as i advance, durability is an issue as well.

[Surfdad]

The Piscus comes in three sizes, if you go with the 57" model, you'll be fine. The WP Comp X 5-Oh is the faster of the two boards and is also more stable. The Piscus will be more durable, if you get the "hardcore" foam model with ABS sidewalls and nose and tail block. The Piscus uses wakeboard style fins and so your options in swapping out fins will be limited, as compared with the WP 5-Oh, although you'll be able to get smaller fins for the Piscus, if you want AND you can get them at any store that sells wakeboard equipment.

I think either would be a good choice and both Mike's are good to work with. I'd have to give the nod to the Piscus for durability.

[Razzman]

Surfdad, thanks for the opinions. How much more stable is the X 5.0? Are there any advantages to surf fins versus wake style? Are the surf fins prone to breakeage or anything like that? And lastly and given the Piscus is more durable, would i have to really be carefull with the X 5.0 or is it fairly durable? Thanks again for the help. I'm really getting into this but want to make the correct choice so i don't waste the bucks!

[Surfdad]

It's not that the Comp X is UNdurable, it's just the Piscus is overkill. The ABS on the rails and at the nose and tail help avoid the inevitable dings that placing a board in a rack, dropping or hitting the transom produce. I think that the Piscus is best described as better engineered for the way that boards are handled in a boat. The Comp X is designed to be a price point leader...for some that $80'ish difference is most important.

Surf specific fins are designed to break away rather than destroy the board in the event of an accident. So it's true that a Futures SB1 will break or break away more easily than a Rainbow Surfdog fin, but it serves a constructive purpose. I don't know that I've ever broken a fin on a surfboard. I would think that reasonable care would avoid this issue.

Personally, I like a deeper fin, I ride with a 4" fin. Many folks prefer a "looser" feel and therefore would prefer a less deep fin. The placement of the fins on the Piscus are such that the board will track pretty straight. The difference in stability between the two boards is noticeable, but not HUGELY significant. It won't prevent you from learning or feel as if the Piscus is out of control.

One of the things you'd want to check on is availability. I do believe that both manufacturers will have to build the boards for you.

[Razzman]

Thanks Surfdad! I like the idea of the larger fins, I grew up in SoCal surfing in Laguna at the tender age of 13 and back then long boards and single large fins were the norm. BUT i'm no young pup anymore so i don't see any ultra fancy tricks in my bag! I think cruising and slashing will be more my style. I'm leaning toward the X 5.0 and won't be ordering for a few weeks anyway so time isn't a concern, thanks again!