Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Board Stiff on August 19, 2014, 07:46:12 PM
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I've been looking at different boards to replace my 11' Oxbow Cruiser (primarily for surfing longboard-style and on smaller days, and for my wife to occasionally flatwater paddle or do yoga on), and the Laird Standup Surfer (http://lairdhamilton.com/collections/surf-sup/products/surfer) caught my eye.
I noticed, however, that this board's volume is substantially lower than that of many similarly sized (in length and width, anyway) surf/all-around SUPs. The 10'6 x 30 Surfer, for example, is only 140 liters, which is smaller than my 8'10 Allwave, and smaller than many 10'6 x 30 boards by Naish, Fanatic, Jimmy Lewis, Starboard, and others that I looked up for comparison (mostly 155-165 liters and up). The only board I could find that was as low volume as the Surfer in that length and width is the SIC Recon (10'4 x 31, 144 L).
So I'm wondering how volume affects stability and performance (both surfing and cruising), independent of length and width. At 5'8 and about 165 lbs, 140 liters should be plenty of volume to float me, but how would a lower volume board perform differently from a higher volume board with the same length and width? And does a lower volume board sacrifice any durability (i.e. does a thinner board snap in two easier when pounded by a wave)?
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A lot of the reduced volume has to do with the refined rails. Otherwise, they are as stable as higher volume boards. One thing I have found perplexing is that the euro (Maybe French?) Laird site states slightly higher volumes for the exact same boards?
I have the 9' Hybrid and am more than happy. Thinking I am about 172 cm at 85 kg. While it is more a board for stylish surfing, I still managed to win The Sydney Paddle Surf Club comp this month on the 9" against some serious competitors on much lower volume boards,.some sub 8'. My honest opinion, forget about going too short, get a board that is comfortable to paddle then experiment using your paddle to push it harder!
If your wife is after primarily a flatwater board, the Hybrids.paddle fast. This is mainly due the low nose rocker. Regardless, they will make some extreme take-offs no problem whatsoever. One thing is due the wider tail, I would upgrade the side fins. I find the Futures Solus work perfect in the 9' Hybrid, with a smaller rear fin than standard. This tri set up works for me. Still, the board at least does come with decent quality fibreglass fins.
The longboard nose on the Surfer pushes more water slowing the board a little on the flatwater. However, if you want to noseride, this is the board. When you look at them, the 10' Surfer is a distinctly bigger board than the 9'6. In my opinion, any smaller than the 9'6 doesn't leave you much room for "walking the plank".
I would not hesitate to go the bamboo composite construction. If anything, the marginal extra weight improves the glide. During the semi's this weekend, I got washed across the rocks without any more damage, much to the surprise of concerned onlookers.. I had the bad experience of getting smashed jumping off a point when I first got the board. Considering the gouging noises and jagged rocks, I was stoked to have minimal damage and a still rideable board. If you want more durability, you really need to go to more expensive carbon glassed boards
Me going the roundhouse on the 9' Hybrid from the weekend,