Hey guys
Long story short, but I went to buy another sup as part of my quiver and ended up talking to the guy in charge of the company about some of his models. After reviewing some of the tail widths, I suggested that 22" wide and flat rocker was way too much for a performance sup and that dropping 3-4" would give it a lot more hold in bigger nz waves.
We begun talking design concepts and I gave him my thoughts on a new model that I thought would really work. He was stoked with my suggestions and offered 40% off new boards and free testing on prototypes!
I've suggested a hybrid with similar elements to the starboard 8'5 pocket rocket (blue one) but with performance tweaks.
We're looking at cutting in to the nose a bit but still leaving it semi full. Adding a touch more rocker. Reducing the width from 30" to 29" or 28.5", hardening up the rails a bit and making them a bit lower and keeping the tail width about 18".
We're also playing with the idea of the diamond tail as similar to the sunova speed instead of the rounded pin.
Likely to be a full single concave with a little vee out the tail.
The idea being a board that still has stability for chop / wind, but with a bit lower volume for performance and turning ability.
If done right it should be a pretty versatile board for NZ / Aus conditions.
I think he's looking to make an 8'3, 8'7 and 8'11 size at the moment.
Will give more updates when I see the shaping sheets etc.