Tuflite is much stronger although still not indestructible. the foam core is the major difference when considering the ride and handling of the board. traditional(fiberglass) boards have more flex and better memory than that of the tuflite generation(hence the smoother feel). the tuflites tend to have a "corky" feel.( they bounce in choppy or less than glass conditions) this is due to the boyancy of the foam. tuflite boards have eps foam cores which have alot more air in them. In my experience my tuflite is awsome in waist to stomach glass but loses everything when the waves get overhead. and if there is any surface texture, forget it, the ride gets rough. but others have different opinions. my advice is try before you buy and if you decide on the tuflite, go thinner and smaller...best of luck
better boards? If want a board that stress fractures, delaminates, dings, dents, holds water and changes feel with humidity buy a standard foam board. If you want a board that will last more than six months, rides just as good if not better, is closed cell and doesn't hold water, doesn't delam, and doesn't stress fracture get a tuflite. If you want to go as fast as possible and rail to rail carve and have a more turn and flow oriented style GET A FIREWIRE ALTERNATOR and throw som H2's in there, you can lay the board upside down and stand on it in the center and it doesn't break it flexes! You can do what you want but i wouldn't waste my time with regular foam, it's too much money to play around with when you can get a board that rides way better and lasts way longer (firewire or tuflite)
i disagree with the first part...i typically get two - three years w/maybe 100-200 sessions out of a poly board and by then i'm ready to sell it for maybe $150 and move on anyway. So $300 out of pocket for 100 sessions isn't really a deal if you ask me. I know quite a few people who have given up on tuflite cause they don't like the corky feel and can't get a custom shape. So..just another opinion for what its worth.
I would disagree with even the Tuflite or Poly. I just bought a HAND-LAMENATED epoxy board and it is the lightest, snappiest, and fastest board I have ever owned and I have been surfing for 25+ yrs.. The board I got has closed-cell foam and even has ventilation holes through to the foam, like a Firewire, but way more numerous. I am sure going to miss the weekly ding repair fix session in my garage. My board (XTR 5.2) was found at WRV in Kitty Hawk or you can go to www.epoxysurfboards.com for some good bathroom reading. Hope this helps! ________ buy easy vape vaporizer
I agree with South Bethany. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Ride what you like. Like what you ride.
firewire i have not found any disadvantages so far since owning a firewire since april but its worth trying friends boards before buying i guessi just can't do foam anymore unless its glassed heavily and then that makes the board sink so i stay away
That question really doesnt have a direct answer. some people like apples and some like oranges. The general rule of thumb is better ride=fiberglass(poly core) and strength=epoxy(eps, xtr, core) or your tuflite/surftechs. My advice to you in your search for the perfect tool is to leave your magazines in the bathroom(those things are full of misleading ads) and test your options. Truth is tuflite/ surftech were never pushed so hard until Clarke foam shut down and the industry was searching for foam. Poly foam blowers couldnt keep up with clarke's market but eps, xtr ect. were readily available. a few years back you never saw a Rusty ad for an epoxy board. Now there in every magazine. Bottom line, they need to sell surfboards. I am not saying that those boards are not good, I am just advising you make a clear decision that is not clouded by ads. I know people who love thier firewire and some hate the things. the same with tuflite, and the same with traditionals. I personally use both. You dont have to choose one or the other. Only you can answer to your self the most important question in this process. where are you now with your surfing and where do you want to go with it? what is broke that you are trying to fix? Then see which of the many tools are right for the job.
