Firewire Submoon

[waikikikichan]

Of all the Firewire boards, only the Submoon sparked my interest. A friend in Europe who’s a pro skate boarder ( and learned to surf on the South shore of Oahu ) normally rides shortboards. But he wanted a board for small days. He was looking for Firewire Vacays or Addvance. I recommended he looked for the Submoon since a lot of you like it also. He said they don’t make it anymore. Too bad, it look really nice. So like I said, you try so many boards and finally settle on this magic board......... then next year they change the design or eliminate it.

[Tudeo]

I hate it when they discontinue board's (I own..), but they keep introducing new models..

They still produce the good old Addvance

Anyway, I don't think the Submoon is that great for small waves because of the very thin tail, i see it more as an allrounder for waves with some push. It depends offcourse what your friend considers as 'small waves'.

Also I've talked to some people who weren't that impressed with the smaller models. Hard to paddle and must sit in shortboard area for takeoff. They look great though..

[Tudeo]

I forgot to mention that next to the thin tail it also has a lot of tail rocker.

Here's an old but good review of the board:

[waikikikichan]

Yeah, I guess if Firewire had to cut one board, it would be the Submoon. Unless the sales numbers would validate keeping it in their line up.

[Jozzo]

I just posted a query on what this board is like....I wanted to know how they ride as an every other day to day board. Im talking mainly waist to a bit above head high surf, which is mosly what it is in Sydney. I feel like i need to ride it a bit bigger than what i want to- there is so much kick on the very thin tail & nose that I think I need to be on the 8'7" instead of the 8'2". Can you share your thoughts?

[Tudeo]

I feel like i need to ride it a bit bigger than what i want to- there is so much kick on the very thin tail & nose that I think I need to be on the 8'7" instead of the 8'2". Can you share your thoughts?

I responded to your earlier post, but I'll try to give some hints on sizing.

I carry a lot less weight than you. When I got the Submoon I was 80kg, now thanks to a low carb diet 71kg, that's quite different compared to your 115kg. So don't take my advice too serious

Still, I would say go for the 8'2, it has over 60l volume and it catches waves more like a shortboard than a longboard. Thanks to the pronounced rocker you can take off late with ease but that rocker makes it hard to get in early.

Also the 8'2 has the 5 finboxes and, if I'm correct, the 8'7 has the 1+2 system? So, I guess, the choice is do you want to go more towards a shortboard style or a more cruising style?

Anyway, the 8'7 will still be a lot more dynamic compared to your 9'6.

[Jozzo]

I replied to that post before I read this, but will bosh in a reply here for thread continuity sake.

I was umming & ahhing about the size for two weeks, eventually settling on the 8 7. It's got the 5 fin box.

I'm running a pretty standard FCS II thruster set up now, but actually wanna get the Mark Richards models on it- it's effectively a twin fin with a smaller centre fin....looks honk. I'd like to see if that compliments the fishy/crescent shaped tail at all.

Can't wait to rip a few hard turns on her tomozza- the froth is strong!

YEEEWWW!!

[Tudeo]

It's a beauty! Gongrats with the buy, keep us posted!

[Jozzo]

Took her out again this morn but that frickin swell hadn't developed to what I was hoping for. Perhaps tomoz...

But, I did get a few waves including one were I had to get around a section & slid into the pocket & got a little cover-up.

Felt pretty fast on the waves with a bit more push to them- so I've changed the fins around a bit to try & accentuate that tail. Basically two XL side fins & a smaller centre fin. So not as loose as a twinny, but with slightly less drag than a thruster....well that's my theory anyhow.

Hopefully Huey wakes up feeling generous & I will find out tomoz.

[Tudeo]

Nice fins! Sounds like you made the right choice for the size. When you've got some more better waves, I would love to hear your impression on how the Submoon compares to your other boards.