Hey everyone, This is my first post, so sorry if I posted this in the wrong location. Anyways, I have been riding a 7' 10" funboard for a couple years, and I was looking to buy a cheap, used shortboard. So, here is my info: I live on Cape Cod, so I would generally be surfing on the national seashore - majority of waves are knee to thigh high, but I plan on using the shortboard on days where the surf is higher. Sometimes there are overhead breaks (but rarely). I am 5' 10", 160 pounds. I consider myself above a beginner - I can catch most waves that are below head level, but above that I find the nose of my board digging into the water. I rented a shortboard and found it much easier with the bigger waves. Anyways, I was looking for a board in the 6'6 range at local shops, and I found two semi-beat up boards for $130 and $110 (I don't care about quality that much, I just want something to mess around on). The $130 dollar one is 6'3 in length, 20 inches wide, and 2 3/4 inches thick. This board is very thick and has a pretty decent rocker. It has a squared off tail (the regular tail - I think I used the correct terminology). The $110 dollar one is around the same length (I don't remember the exact specifications), a little less wide, and about half the thickness. It is also very light, has a lower rocker, and has a small fin tail (like the fish tail - but the fins are not massive like most fish boards). So, for my situation, which one would be better? The guy at the shop said that the thicker board would be easier to catch the smaller waves, but it is thick so I would sit on top of the water and could potentially ride quickly away from the break. The guy suggested the thinner board, but what do you think? The thinner board is in a little better shape. Thanks!
I am going off to college so I am saving all of my spending money for during the year. I am just looking for something to mess around on during school breaks and the next couple summers.
If all you have experience on is a 7' 10" funboard than I would recommend something with a little more volume than the thinner shortboards so that you don't have such a drop off, a Fish seems like the way to go, but that's just one opinion. Once you have gotten comfortable on a Fish in the 6' 4" - 6' 10" range, then I'd think about a "real" short board, in the 6' - 6' 4" range.
What are the dims on the $110 board..."a little less wide, and about half the thickness" is not all that descriptive--pics would be helpful next time. However, $130 board sounds like an 80s style short board...they're great to continue to progress on. Board is probably similar to your fun board in width/thickness, but the foil, wide point placement, nose/tail width, and likely the rails will be different enough to give you a different feel. I say go for it...why not you could always ride it for a few months/year and then trade it in/sell it. Transition again to something smaller...
Probably around 16" to 18" width (I actually couldn't read the written dimensions on the board - bad handwriting lol). And, under 2" in thickness (might have been 1.5 to 1.75). And yes, they are old boards. And you think that would be better than the $110 dollar one? A fish was definitely one of my options. It seemed nice because I know they are good for smaller waves, which is perfect for the cape. But, a couple things stopped me from getting one. First, I couldn't find any used ones in local shops (besides the $110 dollar one with a small fish tail). Also, whenever the waves are big, I will just use my funboard. I have been snowboarding for years, and I am very comfortable with a fast moving board under my feet. I rented a 7' board with the shortboard shape, and I found it really easy on larger waves. I know that the boards I am looking at are smaller, but I think I can pick it up relatively fast.
Go for it then man, eventually you'll want a board for every day of the week, i've got a few now and will be adding a few more to my quiver in the next 6-12 months, so that way I have a board for EVERY condition mother nature throws my way. Any board will get you out there, but the RIGHT board for the RIGHT day will get you tons more waves, good luck!
Out of the two boards you mentioned, i would go with the wider one, since your transitioning from a 7'10"...the extra width will help you tremendously...and for $130, your really not losing alot if you end up not liking it. Just my $.02.
yes...based upon your description of the $110 board and your current board...I would say to purchase $130 dollar. As koki mentioned...bigger and wider (similarities to your current set-up) and at that price it won't be problematic if you want to sell it. Further, it could be a great board to learn how to fix your own dings... I say go for it. Post it up once you get your hands on it...
$130 one. Better for you coming off the fun board. Your quiver will build as you progress anyway, this is just a the start... Soon you'll find yourself late at night hunting forums like this for your next score, rent will be late, phone will be turned off, you haven't bought dinner for your woman in months - but you'll find a dumpster diver you've always wanted to ride. You'll have 20+ boards from retro to pro to classic and all your friends will think you're nuts...
I've got about 10 boards these days, and I would say about 4-5 of them fit (loosely) into the grovelor category...2 mini simmons, Xanadu Gipos, Chemistry Disk, two RNF quads...OK maybe 6 of them. I can honestly say for the past couple of years I've become obsessed with finding boards that fly in knee-thigh high waves. But yeah...the "need" line was crossed many boards ago. However they sure have gotten a lot of use the past four months.
heres the great thing about $110 boards...if you love it, its a great deal even if it only lasts a year If you hate it, its still worth $100 next summer, and you learned something. It actually looks like a decent shape to get the feel of a short board, but will still paddle into a stomach high wave.
That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm just looking for something to toss around on, and this is perfect.
Can you read the shapers name on the bottom by any chance. Any WRV done by Tommy Moore is pure classic.
Mitchell... I guess it depends on how you define "groveler." In my mind, a groveler is a performance shortboard for very small surf, and a mini Simmons is in a category all on it's own.... like a traditional fish. Several years ago I purged... now I'm down to one groveler... one log, one fish, one shortboard, one semi-gun... that I ride. Minimalist, I guess...
