STOKED!!!! Hobie 8'6 CP Torque

[WB]

Hobie 8'6 CP Torque

Short Version: I have been riding it for 4-5 weeks in all conditions (Beach break, Shore Break, Slow reef breaks with wind, side chop and different sizes) and love it.

Long version:

I am 211 pounds and upper intermediate ability (on a good day).  Downsized from my Custom Hobie 9'2 CP Stinger II (9'2 x 29.5x 4.5 130L) on to this 8'6 CP Torque (8'6 x 29.5 x 4.5 118L) While it took me 6 months to truly feel comfortable on my 9'2 in all conditions and waves, it has taken me 2-3 weeks to acclimate to the 8'6.  Definitely stable at my weight in everything but the nastiest conditions without that disc/bloated volume feel.

I have surfed the CP torque in small (waist high) Dogpatch soft open face waves to  over head beach break at Northside HB and loved it. I am surprised at how well it paddles into waves considering the length. I thought I would lose quite a bit of glide compared to my 9'2 but that is not the case.  Definitely requires better positioning for takeoff and a bit of a staggered stance to compensate for reduced length.

The stringerless construction with carbon rails definitely makes the board lighter and lively. It does SNAP out of turns. I paired the board with the Futures JM Thruster set and the two fit together perfectly.  I highly recommend this board to those heavier than 200lbs looking to go below 9' to experience even greater performance. I felt my first truly "shortboard" squared off bottom turn on this board and was stoked. Definitely getting closer to higher performance.

The really great news is that this is a Hobie production model that has custom quality. Several should be arriving in Hobie inventory shortly. If you like different dimension, I know they can build it custom for you.  If you see me out at Dogpatch and are interested in a try please ask!

-WB

[SoCalSupper]

Nice review WB!-surfing with you i honestly see the improvement in your surfing on that board-i told you carbon rail no stringer rules-you can really feel the difference in weight and the liveliness of the board.
Board looks great too!

[kneecap]

That thing definitely looks good underfoot.  Too many good boards coming out these days.  It makes my head hurt. Sigh...