Hobie CM Ultimate 10'4" Noserider Vs. Surftech Laird Pearson Arrow

[Subber]

I've read several comments on how good a Surftech Laird Pearson is, but its pretty expensive at over $1,700.  - But I haven't seen anything on the Hobie Collin Mcphillips Ultimate noserider, which seems to me should be another good alternative.

I've supped just a bit.  I demo'ed lots of boards including the Laird but just on flat water - it was very stable.   - I was able to surf a wide sup for a couple of hours and caught a bunch of small waves - I was amazed at how many I caught verses if I had been surfing.  I'm a longboard crawler and want to get into SUP, especially nose riding; thus, those two boards.

I'm pretty sure the Laird would be fine for me - either the 10' or the 10'6" - the longest one that will fit in the van.  I'm 54, 5'9" and about 185 pounds (like to be 175) but I'd like to check out the Hobie or any other recommendations.

If anyone has any comments on the Hobie and/or can compare the two (or another board), it would help me out.

It seemed the Laird has a pretty flat rocker so it would be decent on the flats - not sure on the Hobie.  While I definitely will be surfing it - mostly on a mushy, slow wave, I want  to be able to tour the coast a bit.

Also, the way the boards are made.  I know the surftechs are very hard and durable - not sure about the Hobie construction - seems it is fiberglass on the outer surface - I'm not sure if that is an issue or not.

Thanks for any help.

[Aves]

I looked into both of the boards you mentioned and decided to go with the Coreban Icon 10'. You may want to check them out. My board should be in towards the end of October (sooner hopefully) and i will post some pics and a full review.

What sold me on this board is the extreme durability factor with the 20oz foam, the progressive shape that will allow performance surfing and noseriding and the fact that the whole company is based on quality. This board can be set up as a quad, thruster or single, has 2 leash plugs for those big days and comes with a bag for about the same price as the 2 boards mentioned above. At your weight you might want to look at the 9' Fusion as well.

Whatever you end up getting let us know and post some pictures and reviews.

Good luck.

[AirJunky]

We spent about 4 days SUPpin on Lake Oroville in central Cali. We had the Laird Pearson Arrow & the LakeShore Paddle Company Wet Woody.... both 12' boards. My brother & I are like 215 & 230 lbs. The Laird was very lightweight & did not float either of us nearly as well as the LPC. And it had a tendency to bounce over waves, as opposed to cut thru them like the LPC. In the end, we both liked the LPC quite a bit better for lake paddling. We thought that the Laird might be more suited for surfing waves than paddling flat water.

[prskiller]

I have the 10'6" Pearson Laird and it is a great board to surf on.  Able to turn on a dime then step up and ride the nose.  I've found that the board really shines in more powerful north swells rather than the south swells here on Maui.  As for flatwater it doesn't track to well.  The 11' would be better for the smaller waves but then it won't fit in your van.

[Subber]

Aves,

I looked into the Coreban Icon 10' - who couldn't with those videos!

I was able to try it in flat water - so stable, very wide.  I'm sure it surfs like a dream.  However, I think the rocker is a bit much for the mushy break I plan on surfing and also for much flat water paddling,/touring that I would like to do when there's no surf or just to see the coast from the water, tooling around.  Maybe it will be my second board.  Also, the quality seemed top notch.

----
Anyone know anything about the Hobie?

Or any other suggestions.  The 10' Mana also looks kind of interesting.

[Aves]

Yeah the Icon does have a lot of rocker and would not be ideal if your primarily doing flat water.

A few guys that live near me swear by the Hobie CM Ultimate boards, although they ride the shorter versions 8'11" maybe and i think one guys is on a 9'4"? Anyway they both surf really well and have tried lots of boards and are in love with there Hobies. Not sure about construction or durability.