I've got the new board itch yet again, and am looking for a good all-round performance shortboard. Something that will work well in the stomach to overhead range, in both fat mushy waves as well as hollow conditions. What shapes have yall found that you like? Thus far I've heard good things about the hypto krypto, ...lost v3 rocket, and rusty dwart -that's the general direction im leaning.
My favorite all around board was the Lost Speed Demon. I've had a few and liked every one. Last year I brought one to LBcrew and he shaped me a new stick based off it and it's been my favorite board since. I ride it in almost all conditions (until it get's well overhead) and it always works. Dude has skills.
I'll help you narrow down that list by voting against the Hypto Krypto. I was curious about all the hype, so I bought a used custom (non-GSI) HK for a good price. I rode the thing in a variety of surf from DOH Steamer Lane to waist high & weak VB. For me, it was a TOTAL DOG. Outside of good paddling power, there was almost nothing that I liked about this board. It seems like Hayden was trying to make too much of an all-rounder and succeeded in making a below average "jack of all trades, master of none." I've seen Craig Anderson rip the lights out on this thing, but then again Kelly Slater surfed a door at Rincon. My point is that I think the Hypto Krypto is more marketing than substance.
Stretch skate best board I've ever had for the east coast, from waist to overhead so consistent and bombproof also.
Thanks, brother. That's actually a really good all-arounder... I think. Did we make that a thruster/quad convertible? A good idea for any board you want to open up the performance envelope on.
I'll disagree with Philo About the hypto...but agree probably not what you're looking for...I would say that both the dwart and hypto fall in the alt. Board Category rather than performance all around short board...same with the v3. What are you currently riding...make a few mods from there...I ride the hayden shred sled pretty religiously...great all around we for me as I like a winder outline...ho type of fish. But I've had a couple of them and had to find the dims that worked best. The trend of the short stubby short board...dumaster diver/Fred stubble seem like what you're after...dumpster diver seems to work great for most people. Couple times I've ridden one it was fun...
I find that I currently switch between a 5'10" retro twin fin fish, a 6'x20x2.5 single fin, both of which are tremendous fun in waist to chest+. My issue is I purchased a used Rusty 6'4" x 18.5 x 2.32 rounded pin on craigs list last year (which works well in chest and up but really struggles in weaker waist high compared to the other two). I know there's been the movement towards shorter/wider/fatter with less rocker that a lot of people swear by, so I figured I'd give it a shot. You're right that that is what I am generally after, with the 5 fin option so I can switch it up and play around with it.
Differences of opinion on the HK are valid, it's all about riding style, wave size/type, and your size. Given what you're currently riding, you're bound to like the Hypto more than I did. My guess is that the HK is just one of those boards that doesn't "scale up" very well. I'm 6'4", 205lbs and was riding a 6'2" with 38L. I bet that if you're a 160-175lb dude and you get this board as a 5'6" or 5'8", it's probably a VERY different machine. All that being said, I still think it's not well suited to small, mushy, EC waves. Have fun with your search. **I've got a nearly brand new 6'0" Lost Weekend Warrior just sitting in my garage that I'm not even riding if you're interested! I have too many small to mid-range boards and I might sell this one off.**
