firewire rapidfire

Why not get a board made for our waves?

 

find a local shaper and tell him what you want.

 

Why not another Al Merrick? The "Flyer" is great in east coast waves. They have many other models that would probably suit you as well. Check out the website. If you order a new board on thier fast track they have been completing them in about a month. You can reorder a replacement later on and get a board almost identical to what you have. I know some guys on here will say use a local shaper, and they can make a good argument for doing so, but its hard to beat the consistancy and quality of the Merricks. They are made in Cali. and not overseas like some boards.

 

In south jersey I'd check with Brian Wynn.

 

The best word to describe the original Tuflite boards is "corky". They are ok in smaller waves, but my experience is that as the wave gets bigger and as you go faster the boards don't feel like they contact the water. In other words, they float to much and are very stiff. I have a Tuflite 2 small wave board which is fun in surf from stomach or chest high and smaller. The Tuflite 2's feel more like a PU board and have similar flex in them, still I would not even think of using it in head high or bigger waves. It is very light and durable; however, it is not my primary small wave board. Bottom line: light weight, durable, price not to bad, but I wouldn't trade it for a good PU board as far as performance is concerned.

 

Check out the new Mike Gleason model made by Chemistry. Was pretty much designed for NJ waves.

I have a Chemistry and absolutely love it. Great boards...

 

Merrick

I say absolutely go for another Merrick and the Flyer model is definitely a great choice. I ride a 6'4" flyer tuflite and in small waves it is perfect. The only problem is I don't know if they make smaller than a 6'1" in the Flyer tuflite which you need if your that small. I know my next board is going to be a PU Flyer quad fin at the same height with about 1/4" more thickness, and i little bit more width. It does seem that the tuflites get a little squirrely in bigger surf so take that into consideration. I don't about everyone else but it seems that no matter what board i've tried in big east coast surf i have problems with control.

 

they do, i have a 5'10" and i love it, its my main board

 

your merrick is pu/pe construction i take it.....firewire is a eps /epoxy construction......totally different ride.....

talk to a local shaper first, if it doesnt work out then go for it......

post pics when you get something....

 

ya tuflites get sketchy when its large and in charge. I took mine out right after hurrican noel last year when it was pushing 2x oh on the sets and the board was way too stiff and bumpy. I have a 5'll santa cruz tufliteshortboard

 

that being said, i think epoxy boards are great. If the waves are clean and big then they are fine but when the waves get bumpy you'll def be getting thrown around

 

I have a 6' 1" tuflite flyer and I love how responsive it is. the only thing that I dont like is the tuflite is so light offshore wind get under it and it almost acts like a sail. depending on your ability level i would def recommend one. the more I have improved the more i prefer i more solid heavier board. if you are interested in buying mine i may make a deal with you b/c im trying to go more toward a 6' 4"...

 

i have the al merrick flyer 6'1" tuflite love it and it seems it works good for me in head + surf until it maxes out. but some people say they float to much but i learned on a epoxy so im used to the float on it. they're defiently worth what they cost they dont ding. but you gotta try very hard to break on as i did but didnt mean to break it. but if they do break they can be reapired easily, just depending on where u break it. so defeintly get it.

 

yeah i dont like how they can fly in the offshore winds but ive gotten use to it and still use it in light offshore but if its howling then i defiently go for my heavier flyer.

 

there is a happy medium between a tuff lite and a traditional pu/pe board....

go with custom eps/epoxy.......stronger and lighter than poly but not as stiff and corky as tuff lite......

it's a good compramise........it's all i ride....

 

rapidfire: rapid decay

dont get this board -- i recently picked one up from a local shop, i hadnt yet heard any negative things about the new firewire rapidfire boards. i purchased the 6'3" / round pin version. after the first time i took it out, i noticed the boards rail, near the tail was cracking for some reason. after another session, this kept happening up and down the rail in the same area and after i decent bail (where the wave really tugged on my leash) i came up and to my surprise a massive munch was taken out of the rail. i brought it into the firewire factory and was told the leash rail saver was doing it -- isnt it supposed to 'save the rail'? going to pick it up from repair, i noticed more damage incurred while at their shop and quickly handed the board back for another repair. then yesterday, i go to get the board again and noticed even more damage plus huge cracks in the rail, mid-board and asked what the deal w/ this board was. i was told that the only real solid protection on the board is on the deck, where the bamboo is located and that the rails and bottom have minimal glassing to limit the boards weight. im afraid to even get back in the water w/ it. despite the susceptibility of damage, this is one of the fastest and hardest turning boards ive ridden but expect it to only last a few months at this rate...

 

that sucks. i will never get that board then.