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Maestros,

I was reading an old thread about the Infinity Blackfish, Luc mentioned that the 14 x 27 was a lot unless your a big dude - that I am not! At 160lb with extra padding to shed, would this make the board feel more buoyant - corky, what are the disadvantages ? Like Is there a trade off between going wider for stability but gaining too much volume?

I did wind up reserving a Starboard Gen, but then the shop called last week and said they won't be getting any until August now! But I can still order one online.

I do a lot of steep chop and quartering, and I prefer low volume/low profile a bit wide/narrow tail (25~27 is considered extremely wide these days...) at 170+ lbs, that is what works for me. YMMV.

A professional paddler, friend of mine, just got a Sunova Casey Revolution 9x30 and swear by it.

https://www.facebook.com/NormHannExpeditions/photos/a.1475381205922476/4300090550118180/

https://www.facebook.com/NormHannExpeditions/photos/pcb.4178362845624285/4178362782290958/

I rarely paddle without chop, steep and confused from tide, sandbars, rivers and side winds.
I would suggest three boards that I have personal experience with in no specific order:
1) Bark Vapor 14x26
2) Naish Maliko 2020 preferred but 2019 also good
3) Sunova Torpedo
Adjust width from 25.5 to 27 or 28" based on your size, weight and taste for comfort over speed.


These are fast and will get you where you want to go coupled with the right fin. Quartering won't be a total nightmare anymore.

Last week we had couple very nice days, Temp almost 70, barely any wind, 2-3 ft  waves

As perfect as it gets.

Yes I found that it did good to my shoulders in general. Lower back is still OK. It pretty much took me years to get down as I started at 78" or even 79" and reduced very gradually. It almost went hand in hand with improvement in my stroke year after year. For more than 15km paddle, I would stick with 74" and could do 75" as speed is not the main aspect there.

These are a lot too long for me.
I ended between 73" and 74" with boards that are not very high on the water. Obviously I prefer 73" on bigger conditions and 74" on flatter. I found that I needed the extra inch as I am not hinging as I should and the extra reach worked faster.
I am 6' - 172 lbs.

I use this as it is handy:
https://www.amazon.ca/Ding-All-Epoxy-Surfboard-Repair/dp/B00E6OVLRC/ref=sr_1_46?dchild=1&keywords=board+repair+kit&qid=1631600104&sr=8-46

At one point on Chesterman beach I had the whole beach to myself for an hour - just at the point when the swells got themselves sorted out and made things more fun.  I'm just going to sit on that feeling as it won't happen there again for a while I'm sure.

That is teh magic sometime of a dawn patrol surf on a week day. When it happens, time stops....
Hope to get back soon in the fall.

I use a Victory Koredry UV sleeve fro all my boards. It is lighter, noiseless and protect the bottom and side of the board.
When I had board bags, they would end-up in storage rather than in use.

Turned out really clean. Nice job.    A lot of work too.

Thanks! Worth the effort. Really sweet ride. Still waiting to see Area 10 ride in action.

Post COVID paddle.....

Preparing for the summer crowds. 5Km upwind in the cliffs backwash to Furry Creek in order to catch a bit of whitecaps on the way back and then wind died of course leaving only the usual choppy trail.
I was trying out the new Larry W. Allison's H&B on my Torpedo. For the little bit of downbreezer I had, it made a good first impression. It feels like the low end is pretty good allowing the extra acceleration/speed to get into the first bump and then to maintain more speed without letting the board slowdown so much as to miss linking bumps. No issue moving the board around or tripping/staling. I felt that it let me take everything there was to take with no limitation. Big plus in less than marginal conditions when catching a few glides and links can make or break your day.
These are first impressions only and I am looking forward to get in more wind and more consistent conditions for a light downwind. Could be teh ticket to match perfectly with teh already excellent Torpedo.

I lokked at them. The Maliko needs a very short fin or it will stall at take off and you won't catch any bumps. The Bump fin is the exception otherwise I have been running it with the 6.5 GTS. I do run a 9" Boomerango on teh Torpedo for big days.

Had one of the best runs on that specific course the other day. Bumpy and Humpy worked really well on the Maliko for the conditions.

How strong was the wind? Downbreezer with no stall of the board? Downwind with messy side chops?
This weekend was flat water with only bit of upwind so no chance yet to try H&B in a downbreezer or downwidner at all....

Going to try Humpy and Bumpy this weekend on my Torpedo. Then plenty of funky options for the Maliko this summer. Ride LA.

I got out today at North Chesterman. Tiny little knee high waves. Stupid good fun! If you are up this way let me know and perhaps we can get out for a surf.

My favorites....glad you had fun...but I am still jealous, if it was not for a great downwind in the Sound last Sunday.