Thanks guys - you have put my mind at ease. I don't want to struggle while waiting for waves - the aim is to have fun. I will be traveling for the next three weeks or so (no SUPing!) and it should be ready soon after I get back. Can't wait.

Picked my minnion up the other week from Simon, so so stoked. It's 7'0x 27 at 91 litres. Super super fast and turns so well nearly like riding a short board. Very impressed with the quality and finish of the board. Nice and bright too

Dan how tall are you and what do you weigh mate.

Cheers Ozzie

Hi Dan, same body as me , IMO your Minion board got right dimensions

Curious to know from you guys who have Minions what you think the best weight to volume ratio is?

I've read in this thread people talking about weight +10 litres for advanced riders, & weight + 20 litres for intermediates, but that doesnt really account for the wide range of rider weights out there. Also should you include the board & paddle weight in the calculation?

Looking at some of the stats people have posted it looks like somewhere around 1.2 to 1.3 x weight could be the ideal range.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks Brenno

See, this is where it can get confusing. If you add the board and paddle, your a 1.2.

At my 77kg 1.3 for me would mean a 100 litre board, which I think I would struggle on, where as 77kg + 8kg (paddle & board) x 1.25 would be around 106 litres would be pretty comfy.

I've already borrowed Simon's demo boards (the 7'10" @ 124 litres and the 7'8" @ 115 litres) and they both had far to much volume for me, so I think it's a tricky balance getting the volume & surface area just right on these boards

Then when you see Dan's post above, 77kg @ 91 litres - well that's just insane!

Im just under 1.2. Im still getting use to it so i fall off when its a bit choppy but when its calm its stable as.

Im not sure how to work it out haha. Im 97kg and the board is 114L.

Thanks Brenno

See, this is where it can get confusing. If you add the board and paddle, your a 1.2.

Hey Wicksy, does that mean I'm better than I thought I was?! Cooooooool!
Whatever the shape or type of board, my experience is that i'm comfortable on anything 130 litres or over i.e. my ankles are out of the water, and I'm still surfing well and enjoying it.
I've honestly never weighed myself with my gear on and holding a paddle, and I've never weighed any of my boards. I know what feels light and heavy to me, only by comparing to what I've owned or surfed previously.
Some shapes sit a bit higher, some a bit lower, but that's about this big bloke's limit, and believe me in some conditions i'm pushing it.
The vac bagged deep boards are surprisingly light for a durable board, went back to my old 160 litre yellow board the other day and was shocked how heavy it "felt".

Thanks for the replys guys.

Brenno & Jason, you guys must have cat like relexes & balance to paddle those boards. Good effort!

Toppleover, how are you finding the 7'10" as a beginner?

I'm pretty much the same as Jason..6ft , 95 kgs..on a 7'8 115L Minion..feels all good for me..I'm only going to get heavier and older too..while I could've dropped down I'm catching lots of a quality waves 90% of the time..which = confidence when it get big or challenging and lots of fun.

I demoed the JP 8'2 wide body before getting the Minion, IMO my 7'10 x 29" has similar stability & surfs much better.

Hi Toppleover,

I sup a JP 8'2 surf wide body which I find paddles reasonably easily through the water in between catching waves. Are you able to tell me how easily does you 7'10 minion paddle through the water between waves compared to the JP 8'2 surf wide body AND how do they compare in relative ease in catching waves?

good to know I have ourded a 7'10 and was thinking that my whate 90kg would be to much for it, but now I think its a good step down from my 10'6

will update when I get it...

Is anyone rail tapeing their Minion, I know the pro,s but are there any con,s.