King's Cali Destroyer

[RATbeachrider]

My new ride ... 7'8x27x4.25, 91L and 13.5lbs with pads and thruster fins.  Single to deep double-concave.  Thin step-down rail from center back to tail.  I'm 51yo, 5'8, 143lbs and started SUS on August 30, 2013 (first board was a used Machete 9'6x29) and with 40+ years of proning.

[supthecreek]

 Man that's a sweeeet looking ride!

Just hang that one, on the wall in the parlor.... no garage for that ride

[eeck62]

+1 That is a really nice looking board, looks like it will surf well !

[SUPcheat]

Wow, Rat, that is a beautiful board.  I would probably be up to my knees in water standing on it.

[SeaMe]

I'm not one to go gaga over board aesthetics, but that it by far the prettiest traction pad I've seen to date. I could never own something like it; I'd feel like it was a crime to put my grubby feet on it.

[JimK]

+1 to SEAME
Where did you get that Pad I have a Startouch (Carbon) that is about due for a deck pad

WOW!

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[RATbeachrider]

Thanks guys.  JimK ... I sketched from a tattoo I saw and then cut it out with X-Acto Knife so it is "one of a kind."

Maiden her today in choppy 2-3 feet dropping tide.  The combo of choppy waves plus finding the small balance point for the feet resulted in plenty of falling.  Constant paddling to stay upright. 

I'd to paddle at an angle toward the wave, pivoted and then more paddling to catch the wave.  This is not a waiting for the wave to come board but rather a "no work no play" board.

The deep double-concave, thin rail and mid-size thruster fins loosen the board quite a bit (I like) and she rocks likes my 5'6 to 5'10 short boards once on the wave.  I can't wait to take her out in cleaner conditions.

[JimK]

bummer rat
im not that artistic

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[surfafrica]

It'll be interesting to hear how this new one compares to your Sidewinder (both out back and on a wave).

7'8" x 27" x 4.25", 91L Cali Destroyer
vs
8'3" x 29.5" x 3.25",  103L Sidewinder

[RATbeachrider]

SurfAfrica,

Will do soon with the comparison.

[SlatchJim]

Now I know where the line "Do you want to come up and see my etchings deckpad" comes from.
Great job!

[RATbeachrider]

Took the board out for the fifth time today in glassy waist to chest waves (took a week off due to medical reason and followed by a week of onshore crappy wally dumpy waves in front of the house).  I'm still learning/getting comfortable.  Unlike the Sidewinder, too much pressure toward the nose I'd buried the nose and too much pressure toward the tail she's not going anywhere.  Side to side rocking required the paddle to be engaged or otherwise "plunk" in the water (tough to have a conversation while standing on this board).  I was able to stand and not moving around this morning without engaging the paddle.

I've to change my approach to catching the wave. I cannot pivot too much with the back foot and also cannot dig too deep into the water with the blade.  Short, shallow and quick cadence required.  During the second half of the session today, I took my buddy's QB V-drive V-81 with the featherlight shaft and was better at catching the waves.  My Methane felt "heavy" or that it does not release as nice and smooth as the V-drive.  I'm getting the V-drive!

Once in the wave, she's fast and responsive from rail to rail and from bottom to top due to the narrower and thinner rail and tail and the deeper double-concave (riding her as a thruster).  A fun board but must work at having fun.  The 8'3 Sidewinder is a sedan (easy to stand on, easy to catch wave but not as responsive in fast beach break or faster waves) versus this little hot rod.  I'll update in the future.

[Zooport]

I have never seen more beautiful deck pads...ever!  No joking; you might could start a business making custom deck pads.  Probably a ton of time and energy to make one of those though.

[PonoBill]

I love the rails, but that tail would kill me on a board that small. Must slow it down a bunch too with all that curve. What happens when you weight your rear foot?

Awesome deck pad. You just raised the bar a bunch.

[RATbeachrider]

Thanks guys on the pad.  Way too custom.  Next one will probably be a full pad with in-laid.

Pono - The tail is 1/2 inch wider than the 2015 Starboard Pro 7'7x27 (16.5" vs. 16" measured 12" from the tail, but of course the Pro has fuller rails.  My buddy has the Pro and I surfed it while waiting the delivery of the King's).  If I were to shift the right foot too far back (from the knee location down to the ankle/flippers) without paddling the tail will sink slowing the board down.  It required the combination of not shifting too far and paddling at the same time or almost at the same time to drive the board forward.  The curve line is the same as the Sidewinder.  The double-concave bottom is 1/16 deeper than the Sidewinder.

At 91L, I'm still out of the water.  Kudos to the Pros and rippers who are standing ankle deep and lower in the water.

Got me a custom bag from Vitamin Blue in Costa Mesa for this board too!