Moving down from a 7'8 FBF

[MrJoe]

Hi all,

I'm 6'2, 13 1/2 stone, and currently riding a 7'8 Fatboy Flyer, it's about 22' wide, and 2 1/2 inches thick (from memory).

Anyway, closer to Christmas im looking to move down in size; I was looking at a 6'9 Webber Fatburner, but I think im being alittle ambitious with that one.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what would be a suitable replacement?

Cheers in advance

[Laguna]

6'9 webber fatburner wouldn't be too bad as they are rather thick and wide, I think something like that would be alright for you. Its generally used for the bigger guys in conditions between 1-4ft. It really depends on how good you are on the board you have now and how you are finding it

[surferdude_scarborough]

best bet is always to talk to someone in a decent surf shop. better yet a shaper. that way you should be able to sort out what you want.

[MrJoe]

best bet is always to talk to someone in a decent surf shop. better yet a shaper. that way you should be able to sort out what you want.

Too true!

As mentioned above, I'm looking at buying my next board at Christmas time, but for the time being I'm just starting to check out my options, see if anyone has any recommendations etc

[Laguna]

best bet is always to talk to someone in a decent surf shop

Talking to a shaper, yes. Talking to someone who works in a surf shop - i say NO! A lot of them dont know what they are talking about and will advise you on the wrong board. I know a lot of people who work in surf shops who talk nonsense and contradict each other.

Do some research online, look through forums and check out all types of boards online and in shops..etc

[isaluteyou]

best bet is always to talk to someone in a decent surf shop

Talking to a shaper, yes. Talking to someone who works in a surf shop - i say NO! A lot of them dont know what they are talking about and will advise you on the wrong board. I know a lot of people who work in surf shops who talk nonsense and contradict each other.

Do some research online, look through forums and check out all types of boards online and in shops..etc

I know several people who work in surf shops but dont surf Talk to a shaper - I just ordered my custom board after spending around 90 minutes talking to the shaper about every aspect of my surfing abilities. Thats your best bet.

[MrJoe]

Eventually I will be talking to a shaper, but for the time being whilst im just looking around, im wondering whether you guys have any experience with recommended boards, or could point me in the right direction to a shaper i could contact.

[drowningbitbybit]

Please stand up and come to the front Mr Kitesurfer....

[kitesurfer]

Hi all,

I'm 6'2, 13 1/2 stone, and currently riding a 7'8 Fatboy Flyer, it's about 22' wide, and 2 1/2 inches thick (from memory).

Anyway, closer to Christmas im looking to move down in size; I was looking at a 6'9 Webber Fatburner, but I think im being alittle ambitious with that one.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what would be a suitable replacement?

Cheers in advance

I'm with Laguna on this one. The 6ft9 webber whilst being a shorter board is not really that much of a smaller board as it is almost 3 inches thick!
If you are looking to move down in size then i would say it is not the board to go for unless you are planning on surfing smaller less powerful waves.
At what stage is your surfing currently and are you hoping to start getting out back when the surf is getting a it more chunky?

KS

[Sillysausage]

yea, the board you've talked about is more of a small wave board, you could spend less money, and get a better board for your ability. also it could be made to ride the waves you normally ride.

getting a custom board is the best bet to getting a board you'll love, although many people choose to make up their own minds, and buy a board on their own, which isnt always a bad idea, but its neither the best idea.

SS

[MrJoe]

I'm with Laguna on this one. The 6ft9 webber whilst being a shorter board is not really that much of a smaller board as it is almost 3 inches thick!
If you are looking to move down in size then i would say it is not the board to go for unless you are planning on surfing smaller less powerful waves.
At what stage is your surfing currently and are you hoping to start getting out back when the surf is getting a it more chunky?

KS

I'm currently at the stage where I'm going out back, confidently catching the 3 foot waves, and on occasion manage to catch waves a foot or so larger. By the time christmas comes (when im looking to buy a new board), I'm hoping to be confidently catching the larger 4 - 5 foot waves.

I'm able to duck dive the 7'8 Fatboy Flyer (my duckdive technique still needs alot of work, but i imagine the shorter board will only help)

[kitesurfer]

With all that in mind although a good fun board the webber won't do anything more for your surfing than your current fat boy flier and it probably won't help your duck diving either.
Personally i think you need a shortboard with a good amount of volume and i see no reason why you can't go down to somewhere between 6ft4 to 6ft8. You can keep the fat boy flier style and have a swallow tail, this would help with catching waves or you could go for a rounded pin both have good volume in the tail. Keep the volume in the rails rather than having a really thick board and have them sharper than usual as this will help release the water better off the thicker rails as they won't dig in quite so well.
Also you won't need loads of rocker unless your planning to surf barreling waves as it will only be a hindrance.
I think this style of board will progress your surfing into better waves before making the final jump into performance shortboards.
It's exactly the type of board ive just shaped for myself.

KS

[MrJoe]

With all that in mind although a good fun board the webber won't do anything more for your surfing than your current fat boy flier and it probably won't help your duck diving either.
Personally i think you need a shortboard with a good amount of volume and i see no reason why you can't go down to somewhere between 6ft4 to 6ft8. You can keep the fat boy flier style and have a swallow tail, this would help with catching waves or you could go for a rounded pin both have good volume in the tail. Keep the volume in the rails rather than having a really thick board and have them sharper than usual as this will help release the water better off the thicker rails as they won't dig in quite so well.
Also you won't need loads of rocker unless your planning to surf barreling waves as it will only be a hindrance.
I think this style of board will progress your surfing into better waves before making the final jump into performance shortboards.
It's exactly the type of board ive just shaped for myself.

KS

Would it be worth just purchasing a shorter fatboy flyer (say a 6'8?); or going for a totally different board? If the later, could you recommend any shops/boards that would be worth looking at/talking too?

Cheers for all the help man

*EDIT*

After taking the above into consideration; what about something like http://beachbeatsurf.co.uk/shop/index.p ... 5&topcat=1

They say they do it up to 6'8 ?

[Milo]

Joe, i ride the same board and find it just fine for my age and ability. I`m at the don`t fall, fall, fall o fleshin' stage. Trying to master my bottom turns.
I think this size board will do me for the foreseeable future, plus i can`t afford a new one.
Sorry just reread your post, you ride a 7`8" fbf, i`m on a 6`8" fbf . Maybe this may help, i`m 5`10" and 13 1/2 stone and 42, if an old fart like me can do it

Nice board, on your link

My board

[MrJoe]

i`m 5`10" and 13 1/2 stone and 42, if an old fart like me can do it

Your not doing too bad for your age if your avatar is anything to go by!

That's a nice board you've got yourself there!

[Bewilderbeast]

Hey Joe,

I ride a 5'11" PPF and it's a fantastic little board! I've had loads of experience with Beach Beats before as well, so if you got any questions about them or the PPF please ask away.

Oh yeah, Milo, nice deck!

[MrJoe]

Hey Joe,

I ride a 5'11" PPF and it's a fantastic little board! I've had loads of experience with Beach Beats before as well, so if you got any questions about them or the PPF please ask away.

Oh yeah, Milo, nice deck!

Oh cool! I bought my last board from Beach Beat; they were really helpful in helping me pick the right board! (so im kinda inclined to go back to them and see if they could help me do it again!)

What kind of wave range do you surf your PPF in?

[Bewilderbeast]

I've surfed a tad overhead on it before but that was on a mushy beachy. It held in well and surfed pretty vertically with ease.
However I rode smaller waves which were faster and steeper and due to the flatish entry rocker, the take off's were more than a little sketchy!!

I generally surf it waist to head high on beachys and the occasional point. In essence the PPF is a performance small wave board.

The shape of the wave is more important here rather than the size, although anything more than shoulder/head high and I'm reaching for a different board.

[MrJoe]

I've surfed a tad overhead on it before but that was on a mushy beachy. It held in well and surfed pretty vertically with ease.
However I rode smaller waves which were faster and steeper and due to the flatish entry rocker, the take off's were more than a little sketchy!!

I generally surf it waist to head high on beachys and the occasional point. In essence the PPF is a performance small wave board.

The shape of the wave is more important here rather than the size, although anything more than shoulder/head high and I'm reaching for a different board.

I'm no-where near good enough to surf anything head high yet! I'm only just learning to surf 4 to 5 foot waves; so you think the PPF would be a good board for those kind of waves, or do you know of any others which would be more suitable which i should take a look at?

[Bewilderbeast]

I'm only just learning to surf 4 to 5 foot waves; so you think the PPF would be a good board for those kind of waves,

I guess you'll just be riding beach breaks then? The ppf is perfect for around the 4ft range but be prepared for a super fast, skatey ride.

How are your turns on your fatboy?