Buying a new shortboard - PU or EPS advice needed.

[Kip]

Hi all,

Just chasing some advice before making the final decision and buying a new board.

I'm in the market for a new shortboard. I'm after a board I can surf in 90% of the conditions I paddle out in. I have done my research and have my heart quite set on the Lost Mayhem V3 Rocket because of it's reputation as an all rounder.

What I cannot decide on is whether or not to buy it as an PU or and an EPS/Epoxy. If I buy the fiberglass (PU) I will get it as a 6'0 (@ 34.6L) but if I buy the epoxy I will most likely buy the 5'11 (@ 33.3L) to account for the extra float that epoxys provide.

I understand the pros and cons of each construction technique. Epoxy has the benefit of being stronger and lighter but PU sits better in the face of the wave (epoxy can skip out under the feet if the water is a bit choppy etc.).

I have never owned an epoxy board but due to it being stronger I am entice to jump ship because I will get longer out of the board. What I'm after is advice on what you all think I should buy and any relevant experience of your own.

I am 6'2" and 86kg (190lb), I recently sold my Al merrick fred rubble PU at 30.1L because it wasnt floating me sufficiently. I only surf waves from about 1-6ft with the majority of my surfs being around the 2-4ft range. I have decent fitness (in the gym 2 weekdays per week and surf for 2-5 hours over the weekend) and my surfing is at an intermediate level (I can turn on waves and starting to link turns and sections - no great snaps or any airs just yet).

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[waikikikichan]

On your past boards:
1) How often did you get dings ?
2) Do you repair dings yourself and are you familiar with epoxy resin ?
3) What led you to purchase the Fred Rubble at 30.1 L. ? What sites gave you the information ( and you listened to ) to make that purchasing decision ?

[Big H]

How can you be so specifically set on a board if you don't know whether you'd like it in EPS or PU?

Do you dawn patrol or surf mainly afternoons? Clean or messy conditions generally speaking?

I'd lol for some demos or rentals....try an EPS in any shape.....try it in afternoon wind chop and on a day with strong offshores.

I personally have boards made from both materials....try before you buy because they both have pluses and minuses.

FWIW I have a longboard in EPS that is still not a light board and sits solid in the face of a wave, feels and rides solid. Have had an EPS board that was super light and waves slapped it like an empty ship hull. Boards are not all created equal, including the so called extra float in EPS which on boards with similar volumes can "feel" different.

[Kip]

Hey guys, Thanks for getting back to me!

I do a lot of research on boards before I buy them. I know it would be much nicer if I could test the exact board and volume I'm after first but I think its unlikely. I liked the sounds of the Fred Rubble when I bought it and really loved the board. I bought it at 30.1L at the time because at the time it was around the right volume for me. Ive put of a few kg's in the last couple years so I got a bit heavy for it (felt like i was going nowhere when paddling).

As for why I'm pretty set of the V3 rocket, I'm after a board I can ride in 80% of conditions and the V3 is consistently being labelled as an all-rounder (due to generous volume with low rocker and single concave).

In terms of past boards, I'd get dings every few months. Not too often I suppose. Just when I go over the falls on reef or other mishaps. I'd fix small dings myself but anything that I felt would impact on the way the board works (i.e. rails) I would get them fixed by a shaper. Never worked with epoxy resin myself. I understand it is a lot stronger and sanding it back after repairs can be a bit of a process.

It's good advice to try renting some epoxy's to try. I may just have to go do that.

I surf mornings, afternoons, clean and somewhat messy. A bit of everything.

[kookextraordinaire]

You didn't include the dimensions of the board which makes sizing a bit difficult. It's hard to go off length and volume alone. Chasing volume decimal points muddles things too. Let's call board "A" 35L and board B "33" L.

The added flotation from epoxy is pretty minimal paddling around. A 2 liter difference after a bigger breakfast wouldn't come into play. I find epoxy boards a bit "tippy" paddling around in bumpier conditions.

You are correct in that epoxy does feel a bit different on the wave, it sort of feels above the water a bit more when you turn. This can be compensated for by having thinner rails (again what are the dims on the boards?) Epoxy is, as you said, more durable, but a bad glass-job can make any board susceptible to dings.

Might I suggest ordering a board in PU construction but instead of an E-glass layup, s-glass with a slightly lighter glassing schedule? A well glassed board in say, 3/4 4s, 4s, 4s would be really strong but maintain the feel of a PU. It would be a lot cheaper as well.

There are other great daily driver boards out there instead of Lost!

[waikikikichan]

PU or EPS. Instead of "which one ?" , how about you get both ? Get the best of both worlds. EPS in the center main body and PU on the rails.

Surftech Al Merrick CI Mini Dual-Core

( Noel isn't riding the Dual-Core in the review but it shows how good the Mini can be )

Surftech Al Merrick CI Rocket9 Dual-Core

( I was planning to get this one next time I'm, back in the states )

[one0one]

The eps is good for 1-3 foot. It is faster and maneuvers through short turns and snaps quicker. Paddles easier too. In big surf when standing it's hard to know the board is going to be where you think it is. And it's gittery in offshore strong winds. Ride my step down as eps but my shortboard is a pu.
The pu paddles slower but feels awesome when you get into the bigger faces. Needs bit steeper wave to generate the same speed as a eps. If I could only buy 1 I'd probably buy a eps. If 2 I'd buy the v3 rocket in eps with a tad more volume as step down. And then another board for shortboard days. Maybe a pu v3 stealth.

[one0one]

I'd buy pu. I got 2 boards sampler and custom one of each make. I only ride the epoxy custom carbon wrap in 2-3 foot. If I could have 1 board it would be the pu.

I suggest going up 1 size in volume. So you can grovel with it and still hack up the bigger waves.

Ideally you wouldn't do this but extra volume isn't bad. You learn to turn it pretty good. But if you are a ripper do as you are already.

I'm 84 kg my sampler in pu is34.5 I use like a short board up to 6 foot. I prefer it in 5 foot opposed to 2. My epoxy is 34.8 which translates to about 35.4? @ a guess. I ride when waves are soft. When big epoxy sucks.
Pu boards are way better if waves are pumping.

Chur

[RinkyDink]

PU or EPS. Instead of "which one ?" , how about you get both ? Get the best of both worlds. EPS in the center main body and PU on the rails.

The board in your picture looks like one that would be worth stepping down to if you had the skills.