Skindog Peacemaker 9'6" Thunderbolt

[voyager]

Anybody got any opinions/experiences with one of these - Skindog Peacemaker 9'6" Thunderbolt?

[Nikos]

Hi there

I got the same question.
I am actually between the Peacemaker at 9'6 and an epoxy Takayama in the pink again at 9'6.
I want to surf beachbreaks , not very punchy and up to 3ft; I have different boards for 4ft and over
I have browsed hundreds of photos and the peacemaker has a lot of rocker, so I am not sure if it will do well in small conditions.
Apparently, Skinner designed the board with help from CJ Nelson so it should be pretty decent.
The tail is designed for performance surf and the front for classic stile and nose riding.
Skinner says that the features have been mixed super elegantly and the board flows like a dream.
WHat troubles me the most (for my case) is if it will be catching softish waves between 2 and 3 ft.?..

[Clummzie]

I'm pretty sure you can try them first from Skindog in Newquay before shelling out.

A lot of Thunderbolt Skindogs come up for sale on Facebook secondhand groups which would be a cheaper option.

[Clummzie]

Strangely enough I surfed today at Fistral with someone who bought one last week and he absolutely loves it (from his 1st session as well).

He's a seasoned longboarder so knows what he's doing and has a few boards.

It might be a little too light in choppy conditions was an interesting comment.

[Nikos]

I got some photos from the local surf shop in Christchurch NZ

[Nikos]

The guys were very helpful.
I asked them to compare the board with a Torq The Don as I have a 9'0" and know how it looks.
The boards in the photos are a Torq 9'6" and the Peacemaker 9'6' in Thunderbolt Red construction

[voyager]

Nikos, dunno if you're still looking at an In The Pink Takayama against a Skindog Peacemaker. I had a 9' 3" In The Pink and it's one of the hardest boards I've ever known to paddle....I've been told the Skindog Peacemaker is much better to paddle.
I think the In The Pink would be amazing in the right wave, consistent 3' - 5' point breaks with not much offshore wind, or anywhere where you're not fighting walls of white water to get out the back and strong offshore wind pushing you out of the wave when you paddle for it.
For our UK waves which are a bit unpredictable and at times a bit lumpy, the INP was really hard going to get where you needed to be.

[Nikos]

Hey Voyager
Very helpful feedback!
Much appreciated mate.

Yes, I am still between these two.
I actually have borrowed a 9'3" ITP and have it in my shed now.
My friend who owns it gave me very similar feedback to yours.
He said that it's good for rolling waves and long predictable rides
He actually has it as his spare board and rarely uses it as he prefers a McTavish he has at that length.

The funny thing is that I live right on the water on a sheltered beach that never gets waves.
When there are no waves at the surf beaches, I paddle here on the flat to stay fit.
I have taken the ITP out twice just to paddle and it paddles great.
But that is with no waves, no wind and no white water pushing you around.

If you learn more about the Peacemaker (or the Kai Sallas Camper) could you please share?

Nice to chat mate

[Shrimply]

Hey Nikos
What did you end up going for? I'm also from christchurch so keen to hear your results. Although they are sold out of that model now. Cheers

[surferfamily]

I tried the Camper 9’5” for a few weeks and found for most of our waves it was absolutely the wrong board for me. Hard to paddle in because I couldn’t never get myself in the exact right spot on the board or on the wave. It rode amazing when everything aligned itself and had amazing long and fast noserides. Swapped it for a 9’6” CJ Nelson Apex and now every wave is a blast. Never miss a wave (or hardly ever), still nose rides well and is super fun to pivot turn on.