Thanks Mick - agree re the fun factor, but I wouldn't go for 8' in a pink fit, as it would be enormous and over-compensate completely. As has been said, it's a quite different set of equations with these boards compared to traditional shapes. If I was going to get another one I would definitely drop it down. My gut feel is that if you want to reduce volume and increase performance it's better to retain more of your length (to counter front-to-back tippiness) and lose more of your thickness and width. Having said that, it seems like Colas et al are fine on their 6'10"s, so maybe drop the length too. I'd say the 7'8" minion at 110L is definitely more stable than the 8'5" SB 2013 at 106L, but the SB is a better down the line board and handles speed so well. I just watched some video of me surfing both boards in the Maldives and the different way you need to surf them is obvious. I reckon I've got the SB dialled in but I'm not there yet on the Minion. Might give it a try as a thruster with cdrives and see what happens.

Thanks Colas, I'll focus my engineering efforts on the trailing edge. The thing that is funny, though, is that the same fins don't hum at all on my SB airborne as a quad setup. So I am wondering if there is something going on with the water flow through the bottom of the board that induces the disturbance to create the hum. It's actually more like the sound in movies when a clown's hair shoots up or something....whhhhhzzzzzzzz! As good as the old "chewy on your boot!" in a game of footy.

mmmmmmmmaybe......you'd need to have that special kind of patience reserved for parents watching their kids, and take a motion sickness pill to compensate for camera movement, though. I'll see what I can do, but doubt it's worth it. I can see the vid of the 8'5" only because it's blown right up on an iMac screen and is HD so if I post to youtube the reslout ion won't let you actually see anything. Getting some photos from others who were there over ext few weeks and will post up photos on each if they're worthwhile
cheers

Are these only custom built or are they available off the shelves..
Cheers

As ghost4man says, you 'need an altered mind state' (which is probably the easy bit) and a leap of faith. The Minion and the Vanguard style shapes are a disruptive concept but the more you think about it the more it could make sense for some types of waves (beach breaks?). I'm fascinated by the concept and keen-as to see a Minion but it will be hard to demo one though which means splashing out $$$$ on a leap of faith...

Can you get away with one Minion for all conditions or have a 2 board quiver - needing a bigger board for the crappy/choppy sessions?

Stev0 said..
As ghost4man says, you 'need an altered mind state' (which is probably the easy bit) and a leap of faith. The Minion and the Vanguard style shapes are a disruptive concept but the more you think about it the more it could make sense for some types of waves (beach breaks?). I'm fascinated by the concept and keen-as to see a Minion but it will be hard to demo one though which means splashing out $$$$ on a leap of faith...

Can you get away with one Minion for all conditions or have a 2 board quiver - needing a bigger board for the crappy/choppy sessions?

Stev0, I hear there is a shipment of DEEP SUP boards heading to NZ. Not sure which models or which area, but there may be hope for you to demo one yet??

Yeah..nah…I've already asked about that with the importer and they only have a few Minions arriving so won't have any available for a demo. Also only one board in the size I am after and that might not be for sale. I have a perfectly good 8'5 Fanatic ProWave in my garage but...

Stev0 said..
Yeah..nah…I've already asked about that with the importer and they only have a few Minions arriving so won't have any available for a demo. Also only one board in the size I am after and that might not be for sale. I have a perfectly good 8'5 Fanatic ProWave in my garage but...

Who are the distributors in nz

That being said Ozzie. .there surely must b a limit where too small in length and volume becomes an issue relative to how heavy and tall you are..if your 95kgs and ride a 119L prowave and feel that close to your limit for stability and volume I'm guessing you can't drop to 104L minion without some problems? Or can u on these minion babies?..

Thanks Tang..I only ask as I'm looking at a 7"8 minion but I'd hate to think I should've dropped to a 7"4 104L..In saying that no good spending more time in the water struggling then actually on the board. .and I'm picking in only gona get heavier haha

Thanks again Ozzie. .well said..unfortunately the chance of a demo in NZ is near nil..so kind have to take a leap.of faith and apply a little of what I know about traditional sups to work out at least a starting point...and I agree the whole.point of getting my hands on one of these is to change my thinking and experiences and push the limits..in saying that no one wants to make a costly mistake and get the wrong size..that why I appreciate all the feedback on here so I can at least try and make an informed decision. .Kia ora

What fins do the minions come with and do they need a nubster fin as well. What does the nubster add to the performance and stability of the board and what is the best kind to get?
Cheers

Simon sends good fins with the minions, plus a darc drive. I have a knubster but haven't tried it yet. IMO the quad and darc still doesn't rival the drive you can get on a normal board with cdrives as thruster setup. But the manoeuvrability is better, and the speed through flat sections is way better....

That really is an impressive video! Why the old school peep-hole?
Coming off 9'2 x 30 and I am 95kg. Thinking 7'8 x 28 1/4 115L. Anyone know the lead time on these puppies?

On the volume issue, archimedes is archimedes. If you weight 95kg, less than ~ 103 litres volume (95kg rider + 7kg board +1kg paddle +fins) means the board will be underwater, whatever the shape.
So you have kind of a baseline (103l) to not go lower than, unless you want to be always paddling to keep balance.

Volume on top of it is "extra floatation" to allow some time to react to chop.

But, the "wide everywhere" shapes allow you to have less of this "extra flotation" to be confortable compared to a pointed outline.

Tang said...
Indeed it does, colas.

now casso, imagine how that board would perform if you actually tried to lay it over properly......

Ha ha Tangy, I'll try harder next time.