Best "off the rack" groveler boards for summer

haha....I had bad experiences with EPS/epoxy boards about 10 years ago. Tried several and they all had corky stiff feel which i didnt like. Looking back I believe they had too much volume, and the rails were too boxy - you couldnt sink them, and the boards didnt flex.

My thinking on EPS/epoxy has evolved to say the least. Thanks in part I'm sure to getting boards like this Stretch RNF made by someone who clearly knows what they are doing!

 

I have to agree. He is one of the few where his eps tech feels very close to a standard poly board.

 

I have to disagree... they feel better!

 

Agreed, and I don't think the purpose of them is to feel the same as a poly. Could just stick with poly if that were the case.

 

Okay guys-- a question, on a board. I looked at the Firewire Spitfire yesterday. It was a 6'8" vol 48.
Never tried one, but am thinking of buying one. Never had that kind of tech board before.
Opinions?

 

Go with Coil.

 

My son has a potatonator that he surfs on the gulf. he likes it. never tried it...

 

That is true. I do prefer them now to poly. I just feel they have a closer feel to poly than any other epoxy in better waves. I have had epoxy boards what chattered a lot in the past. His boards give me that in the water feel, no chatter with bulletproof glassing. The flex is also an added benefit. Wow, I guess they are different, lol.

 

I had reservations due to past experiences with different eps shapes in choppy/windy conditions before pulling the trigger on stretch 2x4 last fall. it's kind of a mix between the regular 2x4 and the step up 2x4 he makes, and, honestly, its the best board i've ridden. So smooth, and I can tell it's ready for far beyond anything I've gotten it into. great board, and the wind/chop is no more of an issue than it is with any other materials.

 

They have the added strength with very low chance of a ding (I"m talking Stretch EPS tech, not basic epoxy boards). There are people who still prefer polys in windy conditions and big conditions. I think a Stretch would give them the most similar feel compared to others out there. That's all I was saying.

 

Exactly. That's what I was talking about. People had this complaint on windy or choppy days for epoxy. Stretch boards have really opened the doors where his boards can be used on the bigger days and windy/choppy days.

 

Gotcha, I think it all comes down to the shaper / company making. I still go with Poly for my LB however, as recommended by my shaper who can and does do both.

 

the guy is definitely a master of this craft. I'm really keen to try his small wave shapes, particularly the g-buzz. but man, they are pricey... especially to get to the east coast. get what you pay for I suppose.

 

Yes, 100% true, within reason of course, I haven't paid over $700 for any of my customs and I wouldn't trade them in for anything else in the world. Great products and are worth every penny.

 

My vernor bullet is in Marko...agree...had the thing for almost a year and still looks great.

 

If you get one, check out the different construction techs available, and some of the data they provide for each on their website. I've had some experience with the Timbertech construction, and like it. It's very different from standard parabolic rail tech, and typical epoxy center stringer/glass tech. Specifically, because they're a little heavier and a little stiffer, the board has to be pumped faster to get the flex going to generate speed.

What I'm saying is... each board has a sort of "resonance" in terms of flex. Think of it like a guitar string... the rate at which it vibrates determines the note. Boards flex and rebound, too... and when you pump a board it needs to be in rhythm with that resonance in order for you to quickly generate speed. If your timing is off, you're fighting that natural flex rhythm, and pumping becomes less efficient and effective.

But if you're not inclined to pump a board for speed, and really look to the wave for pockets of energy to generate speed, it might not be a significant factor for you.

 

I was, point in fact, looking at a TimberTek variety. New, on the rack.
Thanks for the info.

 

I'm selling a Lost Puddle Jumper from Lib Tech, fun summer board its just too big for me now at 5'11

 

OK...heres my groveler for summer 2016. Picked it up last week, rode it Sunday in mushy two footers and had a blast.

Chemistry 5'4" x 21.5" x 2 7/16" there's a big channel out the back you cant see from this angle. Rocker is quite flat. I was a bit worried about going this short, but after Sunday not a bit worried. It paddled well and made speed easily even in some very soft waves. Best, it came around on a cutback and turned with more precision than a lot of these boards flat rocker with wide tails that i'm accustomed to.