Author Topic: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?  (Read 4432 times)

northshore_slider

  • Malibu Status
  • **
  • Posts: 95
  • north shore mass
    • View Profile
    • instagram
    • Email
thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« on: July 31, 2021, 03:36:19 PM »
Hey folks. I’m thinking about picking up a Blue Planet Fun Stick (9'4 X 33 X 140L). The 9’4 140L and shape is what I’m looking for but I’m nervous about the width. I mostly surf thigh-chest beach break, so it’s a steep quick takeoff requiring an immediate bottom turn to stay in the pocket, hence the reason I’m nervous about the width. I primarily surf a JL Destroyer 8’5 that’s 30.5” wide and I love it, but only when it’s clean. When the wind and chop kick in, I struggle to stay upright in the lineup and usually stay on my knees until a set comes in. I’m looking for something with a bit more glide and catching waves a little earlier but also something a bit more stable for the choppy days. My Starboard Element is great but feels a bit too long at 9’8… but I like the 30” width and find it totally stable in all conditions. 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

ospreysup

  • Rincon Status
  • ***
  • Posts: 108
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2021, 04:33:58 PM »
I am a little bigger then you and had the 9'10 by 33 Turbo (same board bigger model). Its a great board and really was fun to surf in bigger but softer waves. I don't think the width is the issue as the pin tail is super easy to turn. In my opinion, the board does not have enough rocker for a steep take off with an immediate bottom turn. I can only speak for boards I have surfed but for me the Sunova Creek had the stability I needed and enough rocker to handle steeper waves .
« Last Edit: July 31, 2021, 04:51:17 PM by ospreysup »

Dusk Patrol

  • Teahupoo Status
  • ******
  • Posts: 1176
  • PNW
    • View Profile
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2021, 10:39:25 AM »
I have that board and can testify  to its general awesomeness and ability to turn. I can't comment on the quick beach break aspect, but my experience is that it's a very versatile board.  And a little unsung as boards go. I have the carbon version which makes for a nice weight point. If your considering new, they are pricey enough to open up other options, but the board itself won't disappoint in terms of stability while you're waiting, and glide enough that you won't feel it's lacking.   
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

northshore_slider

  • Malibu Status
  • **
  • Posts: 95
  • north shore mass
    • View Profile
    • instagram
    • Email
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2021, 11:07:48 AM »
I have that board and can testify  to its general awesomeness and ability to turn. I can't comment on the quick beach break aspect, but my experience is that it's a very versatile board.  And a little unsung as boards go. I have the carbon version which makes for a nice weight point. If your considering new, they are pricey enough to open up other options, but the board itself won't disappoint in terms of stability while you're waiting, and glide enough that you won't feel it's lacking.   

Thanks for the insight. Good to hear from someone who actually owns one. What do you feel like the differences are between the 9'4 Fun Stick and the 9'8 Destroyer? As for price, it looks like their 2020 version is $1,299.00 including bag and shipping right now, so that seems like a pretty solid value to me?
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

sflinux

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 315
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2021, 11:49:31 AM »
I have one too thanks to Dusk Patrol's feedback.  Check this post:
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,34966.msg407944.html#msg407944
I ride a beach break and don't use longboard SUPS  (>10') at low tide.  I use wide boards in choppy, very poor conditions (or in the skarky months).  I think the thin rails and pintail help the width.  I also have a SB WP 8'10" 143L and prefer the 140L Fun Stick.  I found the Fun Stick very instinctual to ride and appropriately named.  No experience on the Destroyer nor SB E.  I have a Blair ~9'6" x 30" ~138L pintail that doesn't feel too long to me at my height.  The 9'2" Sweet Spot x 32" (140L) is also worth checking out if worried about length, if available.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2021, 12:48:38 PM by sflinux »
Quiver Shaped by: Joe Blair, Blane Chambers, Jimmy Lewis, Kirk McGinty, and Bob Pearson.
Me: 200#, 6'2"

Dusk Patrol

  • Teahupoo Status
  • ******
  • Posts: 1176
  • PNW
    • View Profile
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2021, 02:29:37 PM »
What do you feel like the differences are between the 9'4 Fun Stick and the 9'8 Destroyer? As for price, it looks like their 2020 version is $1,299.00 including bag and shipping right now, so that seems like a pretty solid value to me?

Well the Destroyer is 9'8 x 31.5 x 160 L, with more parallel rails,  but I remember when I first got it I was surprised it didn't catch waves as automatically as I was expecting. Of course it was mostly me, and I eventually figured things out, but my point is that I was comparing it to the Fun Stick, which I think punches above its weight in that regard.  Not to be too much of a hard sell, but I consider the FS to be kind of goldilocks - the right longish length (for me) because I like gliding into waves, combined with the right shape, volume and thinnish rails for actually surfing the thing. Maybe some day I'll try an appropriate sized Destroyer, but I like the 9'8 for the more cruisy long board feel it gives me.

And price wise I think Blue Planet definitely offers value, with quality construction, a good bag and shipping. The carbon is about $500 more but without a super significant weight savings. The bamboo is fine. AND I think its cool that Rob at BPS actually surfs and refines his board shapes.  There's some credibility there.

That older post SFLinux remembered had some photos that showed the shape, in real life.   

     
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

supnsurf

  • Rincon Status
  • ***
  • Posts: 157
    • View Profile
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2021, 08:27:00 AM »
do they still offer the fun stick, as I don't see it on the website
Rawson 8'8" Impala


L41 8'8"

northshore_slider

  • Malibu Status
  • **
  • Posts: 95
  • north shore mass
    • View Profile
    • instagram
    • Email
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2021, 08:41:49 AM »
it's sold out... the 2020 version was on there for most of the summer for a good price... i ultimately didn't pick one up because i want something a little shorter and a little skinnier with a bit more nose rocker... looks like a fun stable board and lower volume than its dimensions would suggest because it's only 4" thick
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

SlatchJim

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 2614
    • View Profile
Re: thoughts on Blue Planet Fun Stick (9’4)?
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2021, 04:22:57 PM »
That's probably a fun board if you can find one. 
My bubba of a brother just bought a BP 11-4 by 36" wide ...heck I don't know what you call it... probably should be at least destroyer class.  I took it out at San O a couple weekends ago and after a couple teaser waves, had a blast surfing it.  Easily the biggest board I've ever been on, and it was a gas.  My brother will enjoy this one... if he ever gets the balance down (does he even need balance on this?)

Point is, Blue Planet makes pretty surfable boards.  ;)

I knew there was a point in there somewhere.

 


SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal