Anyone have experience with the HOBIE CM LB 9'0, or the CM LB series?

[Fog City Rider]

Would love to hear user's thoughts on that board.  I'm a Hobie fan but not much out there on the LB series.

Looking to move down from the SB Drive 10'5 into the 9' range, been looking at that & the Coreban Fusion (plenty of info on the Fusion here). 

[Fog City Rider]

Well in this case if I get it, I'll be sure to post a review! 

[mrbig]

I owned a 10'6" CM LB RAW which I traded towards a 9'8" CM LB RAW. Both were customs at 32" wide. The first one was too fast to noseride properly which is why I went down in size. I rode the 9'8" all winter as it became my winter storm survival board. Light weight is one of the best features of the Hobies in the raw construction and I enjoyed riding this winter. It is sensitive to fins, sometimes I use Lopez GL 1 as a thruster, and I still use  large old school single fin from tome to time. I only weigh 160 and it still is not the most agile board out there.

Aka G and I posted some comments on earlier threads. If I remember correctly he noticed a difference in performance with a stock board rather than the wider customs with regards to turning. I am going much shorter myself these days, but still enjoy it as a cruiser that works well in anything. Still a little fast for real old school noseriding, but the extra width helps to stall it!

[Fog City Rider]

Thanks Mr. Big.  After posting this I came across Creek's super-informative review of the 10'6 Raw... very helpful. 

[Ake G]

Fog, I have a couple of 10'6" CMLB's ....one is stock 30" wide and the other is 32" wide. Yes, as Mr. Big pointed out I did find a significant difference in performance between the two with (at my height and weight) the 30" wide much, much faster down the line and not surprisingly,way easier to turn going rail to rail.

The 32" is more stable and easier to nose ride while the 30" is almost like a long short board for me. I ride the wider 32" as a single fin with a 10" RFC Wingnut pushed up far in the box. Nice, smooth easy going predictable ride.

Both are good paddlers and catch waves early and easily. The squash tail helps out a lot.

Construction and finish is excellent...I have had both for almost a year and in spite of some hard surfing in beach breaks neither has so much as a fine hairline spider crack or tiny ding in the epoxy. Both are ridiculously light....I'm sold on Kevlar vector net construction! The flex in the 10'6" is just right.

I have had many sessions on a Starboard Drive.My wife learned how to sup on a one. The Hobie CMLB's are light years ahead of the Drive in every possible way especially performance.

Would highly recommend the 10'6" CMLB's for an intermediate or advanced surfer and I would imagine the 9' range to be equally as good if you use them as intended.

[Fog City Rider]

I have had many sessions on a Starboard Drive.My wife learned how to sup on a one. The Hobie CMLB's are light years ahead of the Drive in every possible way especially performance.

Would highly recommend the 10'6" CMLB's for an intermediate or advanced surfer and I would imagine the 9' range to be equally as good if you use them as intended.

Right on!  I should have one by next week... will post my thoughts after a few sessions.

[mrbig]

Fog, Are you getting the 10'6" or the 9'8"? Look forward to your observations. They are all great boards in my opinion!

[Fog City Rider]

I'm getting the new CM LB 9'0 production board... it's the one Colin Mcphillips is using in most of this video:

[mrbig]

Fog, That should be fun. Go short or go home! How much do you weigh? When do you get the board?

[Fog City Rider]

Go short or go home!

Exactly!  I wanted to go even smaller but I know I'm not ready yet...

I'm getting the board in 2 days... can't wait... I'll definitely do a write-up after I get a couple sessions in. 

I weigh around 165-170 and I'm 6'2", a tall lanky fella if I do say so myself.  I'm a better paddler than surfer, but I never let my lack of skills hold me back from having fun!