Author Topic: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer  (Read 9870 times)

northshore_slider

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JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« on: October 29, 2020, 11:35:11 AM »
My main ride right now is a Jimmy Lewis Super Frank carbon 8'6 (32 wide, 141 L). I'm 5'11 and 195lbs (without a wetsuit).

I love it but have a few things I wish it was better at:
1. catching a wave earlier - wish it had more glide / could track straighter so i didn't have to catch the wave at its peak
2. feeling stable on a bigger stronger wave - it's a pretty skatey board so on chest+ waves that have some oomph to them, you feel like a kid learning to ice skate... you think about cutting up the wave and your rear skids out real quick

I have the opportunity to pick up a Destroyer 8'5 (30 wide, 130 L). Would this solve my issues? The shape of the board lends me to believe it would. Thoughts?
Jimmy Lewis Worldwide 8'1 x 29 - 110L
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 x 30 - 130L
Kalama E3 9'2 x 30 - 126L

previous:
Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32 - 141L
Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32 - 142L
Hobie RAW 9'4 x 32 - 146L
Starboard Element 9'8 x 30 - 153L

me: 5'11, 185lbs, 42yrs old
@surfing_byrneski

Dusk Patrol

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2020, 02:53:48 PM »

I have a larger 9'8 Destroyer (9'8" X 31.75" X160 liters) (and I'm 5'8 X185 lbs). I got it for the cruisy performance longboard vibe, and it's great that way.  You'll find a ton of positive reviews of the board in more appropriate (shorter) lengths.

I had a Stun Gun and a WorldWide, but wanted a board with less rocker, to track better when paddling for a wave, but not as flat as a Striker. The Destroyer is kind of goldilocks that way.

I also wanted a board that could catch waves away from the peak, to stay out of the lineup if I wanted. It does that. Nor is it skatey.

So a lot of what I like it for probably relates to the 9'8 length, but that's an outlier length. It was shaped smaller, and people seem to love it. It is based on a surfboard in Jimmy's line, for what that's worth.   
 
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

Badger

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2020, 03:43:21 PM »
Like DP said, it's actually a SUP version of one of Jimmy's most popular longboards. The nose and tail are wide and the rails almost parallel. It would be an improvement over the SF in bigger waves but it all depends on what you want the board to do. Having a little extra glide can be a nice advantage.

If a shortboard style of riding is what you're after, look for a board with more curve in the outline of the rails and a moderate amount of rocker. I may be biased but I think the Sunova Flow is the perfect example of an all-around shortboard style SUP. It surfs great on anything from waist high to double overhead. There are many other makes and models of boards out there with similar specs.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2020, 04:45:51 PM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

burchas

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2020, 05:23:09 AM »
I very doubt a shorter board with 11 liters less will give the ability to catch waves earlier than your SF. Tail outline pulling in only towards the very end so you still have some width on the tail block. With this tail shape and the US fin box it might give you more options to tame it though.

The transition from a 10' range to a sub 9' range is the most challenging I think since it kind of a different way of catching waves. You can no longer muscle your self on a wave through paddle
power and glide. It forces you to position your self better to pickup the wave.
in progress...

Badger

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2020, 06:48:02 AM »
After looking closer, I have to agree with Burchas. The 8'5 Destroyer won't have much if any advantage over the 8'6 Super Frank. They are both actually kind of similar boards. Flat rockers with big concaves, but with different outlines.

The Destroyer you are looking at must be the one at Cinnamon Rainbows. I just noticed it on their website. That L41 8'10 they have looks nice. You should ask if they'll let you demo them.

.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2020, 07:27:02 AM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

northshore_slider

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2020, 08:02:03 AM »
Thanks for the input folks! Much appreciated. I should have put my concerns with the SF in order of priority, first being the ability to handle bigger waves. I know the SF is intended for small waves, it's right in the description on the website... I just didn't think I'd find its max so quickly. I'm not as worried about glide and getting into waves earlier... in transitioning from my 9'8 Element down to my 8'6 Super Frank I've figured out how to position myself and catch waves later pretty well at this point.

Burchas - your comment about having more width in the tail is what I'm thinking will give the edge to the Destoyer on bigger waves.

Badger - Indeed, I'm looking at the new CR boards they got in. I'm thinking about that L41 too... it belonged to @Caribsurf it's just a bit more money than I wasn't looking to spend, but it might be worth it. I know and trust the Jimmy Lewis build quality so that's in the back of my mind too. I'm sure L41s are top quality, I just don't have any personal experience with them. But the increased length to 8'10 and the different shape might just be what I'm looking for actually. Hmmm.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2020, 08:24:32 AM by northshore_slider »
Jimmy Lewis Worldwide 8'1 x 29 - 110L
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 x 30 - 130L
Kalama E3 9'2 x 30 - 126L

previous:
Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32 - 141L
Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32 - 142L
Hobie RAW 9'4 x 32 - 146L
Starboard Element 9'8 x 30 - 153L

me: 5'11, 185lbs, 42yrs old
@surfing_byrneski

BigZ

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2020, 09:12:36 AM »
After looking closer, I have to agree with Burchas. The 8'5 Destroyer won't have much if any advantage over the 8'6 Super Frank. They are both actually kind of similar boards. Flat rockers with big concaves, but with different outlines.

The Destroyer you are looking at must be the one at Cinnamon Rainbows. I just noticed it on their website. That L41 8'10 they have looks nice. You should ask if they'll let you demo them.

.

I don't agree that Destroyer and SF are similar boards. They target different conditions. SF is a small wave board - SUP groveler. It is optimized for fatter, weaker surf. Destroyer is an all-around board that works very well in medium surf and can hold its own in the bigger.

Destroyer does not have big concaves. In fact, it has a very slight - almost flat - single concave that changes to a  V in the tail. And it has a pronounced rocker.

I do have 8'5 Destroyer and I surf it a lot. I find it very reliable and composed in the bigger waves. However; I am 240 pounds. I think that one of the reasons your SF feels uncomfortable when the waves get bigger and faster is that it is way too big for your weight.

The 8'5 Destroyer should work much better but at your weight I would be looking at 8'0.






northshore_slider

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2020, 10:08:25 AM »
Thanks for that input BigZ - super helpful. Good to hear from someone who owns the Destroyer 8'5 and to get more clarity about the rocker and bottom flat/concave design. Interesting point about size, I just can't imagine surfing an 8' board yet.
Jimmy Lewis Worldwide 8'1 x 29 - 110L
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 x 30 - 130L
Kalama E3 9'2 x 30 - 126L

previous:
Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32 - 141L
Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32 - 142L
Hobie RAW 9'4 x 32 - 146L
Starboard Element 9'8 x 30 - 153L

me: 5'11, 185lbs, 42yrs old
@surfing_byrneski

Badger

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2020, 12:19:59 PM »
The dilemma I've faced since I started is that a lot of the boards with the correct volume for my weight have always been too narrow for me to ride.

I started in 2013 when I was 56 and as I've gotten older, have not been able to transition to low volume boards as I had hoped. Right now 31" is a comfortable width for me and I don't see myself going any narrower.

You being 40 years old with presumably no balance issues should have no problem going shorter and narrower, but this has to be done in steps.

My recommendation for your weight, experience, and type of wave riding you want to do is to look for a board with this basic outline and rocker with a width around 30 inches and a target volume around 120 liters. It might be a bit of a challenge at first but at your age, you should be able to adjust to it fairly quickly.

If we ever meet up when you're up this way, I'll let you try my Flow.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2020, 12:24:18 PM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

LBsup

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2020, 12:38:04 PM »
I have both boards super frank is not carbon and destroyer is 8’10.  I love both boards.  I had the super Frank first, rode in all conditions big, small, chop and glass always worked well for me.  I no longer ride it but I felt just as comfortable riding it in the same conditions as the destroyer.  I personally do not find the SF “skatey”, the only board I ever found skatey was in my prone days when I had a fish with twin keels.
I bought the destroyer cause it got great reviews and I’m happy I did, I only ride one board that’s why the SF is collecting dust but if the destroyer got destroyed I’m glad I have the SF as a backup.
I do not like to go too small with sups cause I want to be able to efficiently paddle away from crowds
.
Im 56, 5’9, 205lb without wetsuit, surf in NJ.



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Badger

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2020, 01:03:39 PM »
Hey LB, have you done a video with the Destroyer? I don't think I've seen one with you on that board yet.
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

LBsup

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2020, 02:01:28 PM »
Hey Badger, yes on the sessions page about mid way down.

I will say I’m intrigued by sups with the step deck.  The Flow 2.0 and the l41’s.  I believe Caribsurf was selling a l41 Bruce Wayne that if I had the money would have jumped on it.
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northshore_slider

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2020, 05:29:12 PM »
Hey Badger, yes on the sessions page about mid way down.

I will say I’m intrigued by sups with the step deck.  The Flow 2.0 and the l41’s.  I believe Caribsurf was selling a l41 Bruce Wayne that if I had the money would have jumped on it.
Yup I'm deliberating between the 8'5 Destroyer or Caribsurf's 8'10 L41 Bruce right now... they're both for sale at my local shop.
Jimmy Lewis Worldwide 8'1 x 29 - 110L
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 x 30 - 130L
Kalama E3 9'2 x 30 - 126L

previous:
Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32 - 141L
Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32 - 142L
Hobie RAW 9'4 x 32 - 146L
Starboard Element 9'8 x 30 - 153L

me: 5'11, 185lbs, 42yrs old
@surfing_byrneski

Mil-Surf

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2020, 05:44:48 PM »
Bought, surfed and sold a bunch of boards....until I got my Destroyer. Could not be happier. Shape, performance, stability, construction, everything is top notch. Ordered straight from Jimmy himself. If you are concerned about shape or size, shoot him an email! Very easy to talk and work with. I’m surfing in FL with the 7’7” and I’m at 200lbs. Only board I need from storm swells to knee slappers.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2020, 05:51:05 PM by Mil-Surf »
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer
7’7”x29”@100ltrs

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Re: JL Super Frank vs Destroyer
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2020, 08:22:10 PM »
Bought, surfed and sold a bunch of boards....until I got my Destroyer. Could not be happier. Shape, performance, stability, construction, everything is top notch. Ordered straight from Jimmy himself. If you are concerned about shape or size, shoot him an email! Very easy to talk and work with. I’m surfing in FL with the 7’7” and I’m at 200lbs. Only board I need from storm swells to knee slappers.

+1

Try to go for a smaller size. Destroyers are very stable. A few challenging sessions at the beginning will pay off big time. In my biased opinion you will not exploit the Destroyer’s potential if you go over 1.3 or so Guild factor.


 


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