New Baby: 7'7x27"

[Cardiff Sweeper]

I think I might need to lose a few pounds to get the most out of her!  This will be pushing the limits of my talent, for sure. The board came with cool red fins (thruster). I'll end up putting an X-Trak pad on with a tail kicker. Maiden voyage is set for this weekend. 

[SUPerstitious]

Congrats! That is a great looking ride.

[beached]

what are you going to put your other foot on?

[JeanG]

So awesome.

[SUPerstitious]

Cardiff,
Would you mind posting a photo of the board once you have the X-Trak pad put on?

Thanks!

[JeanG]

Say, how flat is the deck? Looks extremely flat in the photo.

[mdsurf]

Awesome board!.. Saw Sean surfing that board and was very impressed.  Looking at getting the carbon for my son.  I am sure you will let us know how it is...

[Boludo]

Sweet board.  Excited to see you in action on that little bambina.

[sup_surf_giant]

Awesome!

Hope to get out again for a sesh with you soon.

[VonR]

CS,

Awesome looking board!

That's going to be a bit of work at that length and width. I think 92L is a little generous for that size.

I can't wait to hear how it works. It looks like it's going to rip!

[tautologies]

Awesome. Congrats.

Now 27 wide...that is what I would worry about :-) Must feel super light. Personally at 200lb, 7'6'' hokua is enough of a challenge and that board is 29 wide.

[JonathanC]

Hmmm nice, and brave! I went for the 8'5 x 29 Pro in carbon when I saw how the volume had dropped for 2013, loving it but now I realise how stable it is could easily have gone the 8 x 28. The Startouch is really good so far, I just put a tail pad on. The fluoro green really 'pops' doesn't it!

I paddled last years 7'7" quite a bit and even at 150lbs she was pretty challenging. The new thinner boards for 2013 seem just as stable despite the lower volumes, you get this feeling of a lower centre of gravity, think the flatter deck really helps that too.

Thinking about a more on-shore wind choppy beach break wave board to complement the 8'5, maybe the new 7'11 x 30 or the 7'8 x 32 - anyone paddled either of those? Missing the feel of the old 7'4 POD in the beach break....

Looking forward to the surf report Cardiff - must admit, you make me feel like I whimped out....

[Cardiff Sweeper]

Thanks guys.  More pics to come in the near future: comparisons, detailed pics, videos, etc.

The deck is flat and the rails are tapered down, much like a step-deck. So the board may be 27" wide, but the deck is narrower. My 8'0"x28" is going to feel like a boat compared to this thing, so it's probably going to be a "good wave day" board and not an everyday one...but I'll find out (there's no shame in trying).


When I'm able to pull this off, I'll probably retire:


JonathanC, don't worry about downsizing. I'm eating crow about narrow boards now, as I was so against them even a year ago. Once you downsize, you just get used to having less board under you. It's more challenging, yes, but it also makes you better!  Just look at Strand Leper and Mana Karma, they're on 26" wide Sups!  And I've tried them...it's not the width, but the lack of buoyancy that is hard to overcome.

VonR, this won't be easy!  I hope it's an honest 92L, as its 18 less than I'm used to. 

[Strand Leper]

Cardiff,

Welcome to the dark side...

You say it will just be a "good" day board... in two months, I suspect we will see a certain 8'0 by 28" in the classifieds.

I have said that so many boards would be "good day boards" and next thing I know, I am out in 20 mph sideshore rain trying to make them work... it's like crack baby!

I am so stoked for you!

Can't wait for the reports... and to maybe paddle it for just a second...

[VonR]

CS,

I too hope it's 92L. My 7'8" x 29" x 3.75" is around the mid 90L mark if I remember correctly.