Starboard Whopper and next board?

[SpaceRacer]

Hi, I am on the 171L Whopper and absolutely love it in everything from 2' overhead on down, which immediately makes me wonder why I am looking for my next board but part of that is me.  If I were to go to a next board and I realize that there are a lot of variables to consider, I am looking at the 131L Pocket Rocket, the 143L Wide Point and the 149L Hero.  My initial question is, is jumping down 40L to the 131L a big jump in general and if so would I simply be better going with the Hero and skipping the Wide Point altogether and staying within the same line as the Whopper since I love it?  Any info would be appreciated.  Thanks, SR

[J-Bird]

Surfed the Whopper for years, it is a truly great board that catches the smallest waves, but also surfs beautifully in overhead conditions.  The only bad thing that I saw with that board is it is somewhat dangerous if you are getting worked in the impact zone.  It almost took my head off a couple times. Smaller boards are more nimble and safer. 

[supthecreek]

I will second what J-Bird said.
My 1st board was great... a SB Avanti 11'2 x 36" and at least 36 lbs
I bought my 2nd board (a 9'6) because I seriously felt my big board was going to kill me in crunchy surf.
I broke 5 fins off, with my thighs in one month..... freaked me out
It was simply too hard to get away from.

I could easily bail off the nose or tail of my 9'6 to avoid being hit by my own board.

"Light" is good... much less drama being hit and MUCH easier on the leash.

Area on the water is more important than liters.
The Pocket Rocket should be fine.

[supsean]

Area on the water is more important than liters.

Interesting, I've never seen anybody say this so directly. I guess its a lot harder to report than liters. Is this why the Tomo boards seem to be ride-able at a smaller length than a more "pro" outline boards?  Also why the Sunova Creek you let me demo felt more stable than my Fanatic Allwave even though it has 15 or so less liters? 

[supthecreek]

Yes, "Tomo" style boards have a lot of board in the water at the same time, so very stable..... whereas a longer, thin pointy nose and tail board with equal volume will be much tippier.

My Creek you demo'd, although lower volume, has good width, matched with low rails that is not near as "corky" as your Allwave, so the movements are more subdued and controllable.
I also designed it with just enough nose width and tail area to give the extra stability I like without sacrificing performance.

[supsean]

Good to know, since you were an AllWave devotee in the past. Corky is a good way to put it. The Creek seemed way more glued to the surface of the water, while the Allwave seems to bob about on the top a bit more.

[SpaceRacer]

Yes!  Exactly!  Look at my post just after this about safety LOL!  I was in OH conditions yesterday and was armored up for battle with a heavy duty leash, helmet and PFD!  So aside from liters look for water area and light construction?!  Thanks!

[surfercook]

Whopper is a full tanker. Never surfed one though. Pocket Rocket is a solid ride. Demo-ed one of the originals in 2012 my first yr full time on sup. loved it. Check da vid. Pre-SOLOSHOT days and my son shot for me. I'll always cherish this vid cuz 'o dat.
I did also demo a Wide Ride and found it very stable and easy to ride.

Pocket Rocket


Wide Point
Starboard_Wide_Point by surfercook, on Flickr

[J-Bird]

Whopper is a full tanker. Never surfed one though.

^ So not sure how you make this claim Cookie, try surfing one first.

[eastbound]

at 10' x 34", or 9'6" x 33" a board just is a tanker

[JimK]

I rode this board extensively back in the day it was the first of the big guy wide boards.
I really was a game changer surfing wise.

Before I can answer your questions I need some details
-Your size (height and weight)
-Conditions/location you intend to surf
-Experience
** MOST IMPORTANTLY**
What are you looking for from your next board?
What must you have from the Whopper performance wise?

Awaiting your response

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[J-Bird]

at 10' x 34", or 9'6" x 33" a board just is a tanker

Yeah, well I guess you never rode one either.

[surfercook]

Whopper is a full tanker. Never surfed one though.

^ So not sure how you make this claim Cookie, try surfing one first.

 I paddled one for like 3 hours once in a lagoon during a summer concert Bayside.

[supthecreek]

As to tankers:
I had a 36" wide Avanti that surfed amazingly well for a gigantically wide board.

Well designed boards work
Poorly designed boards don't

Size alone doesn't define a board

Me on my 11'2 x 36" @ 230 liter "tanker"

[coldsup]

A guy over here who regularly tests boards for write ups constantly says “Dims don’t mean a thing.....it’s how it performs on the water”. Ie. You can have big boards that perform great and smaller boards that have great looking dims which turn out dogs.

Only way you can find out is trying them for yourself.