CI Dumpster Diver vs. Neck Beard

I've tried both the K-fins and the WCT (Futures version of the K) and always seem to blow them out of the wave a bit, losing too much drive. At 6'4" and 200lbs, I need the bigger fins to get hold drive without scrubbing speed on hard turns. I'd always used something similar to the large Merrick template in my boards until I took the plunge with the H3s. The H3 template is a big departure from your standard "rakey" Merrick. Given your weight, you may want to look at the MEDIUM H3s. The Large version may have a bit too much grab and might not feel as snappy as you like. Also, I love the H3s, but ride a variety of fins that are all fun on the right board. I still ride the Large Merrick fin when I ride my 6'6" Ft. Knox in GOOD/BIG waves. I have a Surf RX board called the "Flat Day" that works great with a set of Large GMB-5s, and I have a nice FCD board that was feeling a average until I stuck in some Pancho Sullivan Futures and now I love the thing... So, to simplify the matter... the common thread here is that these are all Large fins which equate to my size and style of surfing.

I probably wouldn't recommend the H3s to a beginner, but as an advanced rider you'd probably really dig the medium version in "normal" surf and the Large when it gets over 6ft. I ride my DD with H3s all the time on Pea Island and have enjoyed every session.

 

Thanks for the info. That was exactly the info I was looking for. People don't realize how important your fin set up is. Surfing here in Wilmington, mostly Carolina Beach its a steeper wave and the k-fins def don't hold. I'll prob go with the medium H3s. They are a big difference from the norm but might be what I'm looking for. It sucks though since I'm right on the border for M and L FCS size chart. Prob have to get both. Thanks

 

have a look at the k-3 & the am2 as well as the h-3. both are more raked, so are gonna hold better in steeper surf than the k2.1. like philo, i'm a bigger guy (6'0" & 200lbs), so my go-to fin has long been the fcs g-am/futures am2...tried the large size h-3s & haven't been completely convinced that they're better (for me) than my regular fins. this thread kinda makes me think i should give them another shot.
a decent rule of thumb i've kinda stumbled upon while spending time in larger surf is: shorter board, bigger fin; longer board, smaller fin. this applies to hpsb type boards only...so riding a dd in 6-8ft hollow surf, use a bigger fin than you would on your standard hpsb.

 

totally different boards...& the mb2 is designed for better surf, a la the fred rubble.

have you looked at the ci website at all?

 

i've ridden the mb2 in smaller surf and although it has more rocker than the first motorboat it's still not that much. plus there's alot of foam hidden in there so you're not going to bog out very easily. it's not going to be as good as the neckbeard in smaller surf but it's definitely capable of riding tiny waves as well as big ones (if you get it with a rounded pin tail).

the sub scorcher is the lost version of the dumpster diver. the motivator is probably closer towards the neck beard in terms of groveling capability, but it's also a very different shape. you might want to look at the scorch-it too

 

Primo - I have the opportunity to pick up a used 5'8" Sharp Eye, squash tail thruster - no five fin option. I can get it for a good deal but not so cheap that I want to invest in it unless it's going to be a solid addition to the quiver. How do you feel about your board as an all-arounder? There's a good deal of rocker for a small wave board and I'm worried about the 5'8 size in small waves, although it looks wide. I'm looking to replace a 6'2" Five Star thruster that was built for a guy about 40 lbs heavier than me - tons of volume, increbible groveler but for me, handles like a drunken rhino. Ultimately I'm looking for a dumpster diver type board for typical small NE waves that can hold up in decent size hurricane swell. Im interested what you think about the board size since you said you're 5'10 170 and that's just about my size.

 

I had a similiar problem u had replacing a 6'0 groveler with no rocker and enough float and rail to float a rhino....lol. The thing wanted to take off and had a hard time catching waves with the way the thing floated. Anway, I bought the Disco, Sharp Eye. Check their website. Its their version of a hpsb but shorter and wider but not to wide. On the Disco you go 2-4 inches shorter then your typical hpsb. So far I've had it out in small stuff and love it. Its 5'10 19.5 2.5. So I might be worried about the 5'8 size. I should be around 160 or 155 but with no waves I put on weight in the summer. Its my all around board now and looking to get a step up in case. Good Luck!

 

i suggest reading my long post (or the beginning at least if you don't have the attention span). but if you're really bent on one of those boards the dumpster diver will definitely provide you with the most versatility. if you don't plan on surfing anything over head high however, the neck beard would be my personal choice just because i enjoy riding them.

 

thanks primo for the solid recomendation - i ending up passing up on the 5'8. i was worried about it performing in the small stuff. im going to hold out for a board that im sure about. ill definitely take a look at the Disco.