Need some advice on a new step-up. I currently have a 6'6" Dan Taylor rounded pin. 19" wide, 2 1/4" thick. Roughly 30 liters of volume. For reference, my HPSB is a 6'2" x 18 5/8" x 2 3/8" board. 28.6 liters of volume. I love the Dan Taylor for when the waves get just outside the size range of the 6'2" (hollow and 3-4 feet overhead is usually when I make the switch). It's the smoothest board I've ever ridden. My only issue is that it really doesn't give me any extra floatation or paddle power, something that would be needed when it gets into the DOH range. For information purposes, I travel to CR/Playa Negra 1-2 times a year, so this board would be used mainly for big, heavy, hollow waves. I feel like I have two options. A beefier version of the 6'6" to add volume... OR replicate the shape, rail line, and rocker of the board, but stretch it into something in the 6'9" range. Any advice or thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I have never has a real step up. I'm the weirdo that surfs his fish in doh. My thought are go huge. Beef it AND stretch it.
Not many greater feelings than stroking in early and knowing your not even gonna have to/want to turn. Go big and get some good ones!
i have 3. 7/6 pintail 8/0 pintail 9/6 pintail i would go with the mama/papa/baby bear theory which splits big waves into 3 categories. small/medium/large. btw i am 6/0 and 215 lbs....
This. You want the extra float and length to help you get in earlier - Don't let a recommended volume for a hpsb dictate a solid step up for doh conditions.
also have a dan taylor 6'8" rounded pin step up. i usually ride like a 6'3" or 6'4" shortboard. it definitely has some more beef to it than my standard hpsb. i love the thing and feel very confident with it when it gets bigger. it rides like my hpsb, but just a lot more paddle power and stability during steep drops and bottom turns when things get big. ive only ridden it a handful of times and that was mostly in indo when it got over 8'
do what i do before every trip: 1. determine what dims and shape you want 2. look for a board for about 6 months before you go with the above in mind 3. drive all over three states 3. never find what you want 4. now it's one week before you leave 5. make impulse purchase of some board you are not real sure about 6. travel and try new board it out in big surf (lulz) 7. be amazed at how well it goes and realize you didn't know what you really wanted to begin with.
I would stick with a 6'6 and beef it up. I recently got a 6'4 step up and love it. I told my shaper (bone surfboards) to make it like a Rusty Slayer. It has a ton of volume and a pin tail. I will post a pic.
It really depend on the type of waves- if it's huge but crumbly, then you would need a different board as compared to a steep wave- as already mentioned above. If you looking for something for a steep wave- it's not just the length (getting a few inches more then your reg hpsb) in a pintail. There are many other factors that come into play. If your really serious- talk to a shaper, if not talk to swell info... Haha I have a 7'10 gun that works great when it's huge and steep... But really stinks in anything else- even if it 12ft but not top to bottom. One important factor as mentioned before- is the way the board paddles and catches waves- also the way the board makes the drop. The 7'10 practically surfs it's self in the right waves... From what your wrote- sounds like your looking for more of a beefier - all around board....
now that i think about it...theres' step-ups, (!), semi-guns (2), guns (3), then rhino chasers (4)... so if you're headed up from your go-to board it looks like 4 steps. wonder where a strapped tow-in board fits in this scenario(?)...
I'm interested in something like your 6'6" Coil Wider / Blur to compliment my 6'4" Coil Flashback Fish, which currently is my go to board and has served me well in PR in HH-DOH conditions, but I feel I need something that is more designed for that stuff. I told my wife I wouldn't get another board till after we move and get settled in, so it'll be several months to a year before I pull the trigger on that, but i'm gathering ideas now and will be talking to MD in the near future about it. What are you thoughts on a qualifier or hybrid of two designs like yours? Gotta remember i'm 5'9" 170 when in peak shape (which I always cut down to on surf trips). I feel like I could go shorter, like a 6' qualifier like I said before, but don't think that'll get it done when it gets in the well OH - DOH range. That would probably be my good wave board for here in FL, but for travel? IDK, looks like I might need two new boards lol
I'd go both longer and thicker, but dome the deck so the volume is through the middle, and the rails don't get to full (that volume vs. volume distribution thing). Don't be afraid to go as long as 7'0 for heavy, DOH surf, and 2 1/4 is way too thin. I'd go 2 1/2 or 2 9/16, but again... keeping the volume along the stringer. Helps put foam where you need it, and actually increases snap resistance. For me, it's all about making barrels and getting good, long sessions in. Your board can help you do that if you're not too focused on keeping within the limits of what's considered "high performance shortboarding."
