I currently have two boards- 1) a 117 lt F2 Stoke and a 85 ltr Quatro. I'd consider myself a learner to intermediate rider ( been sailing for 7 months), and I'm pretty comfortable on the Stoke in waves and flatwater, and feel horrid on the Quatro. Took them both out in the surf today (rolling chest high) and had fun on the Stoke (despite it's high-speed flatwater pedigree) but find it a tad stiff through the turns on waves. I then jumped on the Quatro. Totally the other extreme. Super loose, can get in straps pretty easy, but it's a serious handful to control. Reminds me of a snowboard on a frosty hand-rail. Absolutely no doubt in the right hands it would be leathal, but I'm basically not good enough to ride it comfortably in the surf yet- probably a year off I'd reckon. Anyway, my question; is there a board round 100 ltrs that you'd consider a good all-rounder, with a bias for wave riding? And to make things more difficult, ideally a few years old so I could track down one second hand one.

PS- I weigh 78 kilos.

Any info would be great.

Cheers.

Get your self a quad for the waves, JP have a 99 for 2013 and fanatic have a 101. Quads have changed my sailing and all for the best. Freestyle waves are too much of a compromise for the waves, Don't get me wrong I've got three of them but if you want a wave board get a quad.

....my 2 cents, now let the negative nellys respond.

Thanks guys for the replys. I reckon the Quatro will be great once I improve some more, but for now I feel ( ability-wise) I'm right between the two. Thought about the different fin for the Quatro, but I think it's partly the lack of volume that makes it tough going. I'd still like to be able to up-haul if the wind drops out- hence a bit more volume- and the Quatro is hard work in that department with my skills -especially on the ocean.

I just put a more wave orientated fin in the Stoke as I was using it with a 35 cm JP Carve. This fin- a 29 JP Freestyle Wave- may loosen it up. I'll find out tomorrow I hope! Whilst probably not the solution, it may make the board more enjoyable in the suds.

But I'm still keen on a smaller size / volume wave biased board, unfortunely up here there's no real option to try a few models.

I'm still talking used, as I can't really afford a new board right now, and I think in time I'll gain the skills to ride the 85 lt Quatro in the surf anyway.

Cheers for the info so far.

I wouldn't get a FSW if I was you. They are just not wave oriented enough. I would get one of the Tri fin / Thruster boards. JP started the trend (well, actually it was Stone in WA that had them first but he only does customs) for production boards and most brands now make them.

I have had a JP 99 for two seasons now. It's a fast board that turns well but you'll need the weight behind it. It's not as snappy as a Quad but it will make up for it with early planning ability and higher top speed... from what you are saying I think you might be well served with a three fin wave board.

Fanatic, RRD, JP, Quatro, Starboard (?), Tabou all do them now. JP and RRD have had them for two seasons and probably have the most experience. As a matter of fact the JP 99 hasn't changed in 3 years because the original shape the first came up with was spot on.

I would suggest though that you try out a 100 l board first. You might find it's actually to big for your weight and a 94 to 92 board would be more suitable.

There are a few popping up on the Seabreeze Buy & Sell section as well.

Phil, whats the info on the Quatro?

Is it wave specific? What are it's dimensions? how many fins etc? What position do you have the foot straps?

And how many times have you taken it out and with what rig? Also what fin/s are you running in it?

There are a lot of suggestions of getting another board, and something in the mid 90lt range would be a pretty safe bet, but lets check that you aren't jumping the gun too early. Your current boards may well do the gob with a bit of a set up change, and save you a bit of coin.

ikw777 said...

Exocet cross 104. Beautiful board to sail. Will do any think you ask of it.

No, no, no. Hate to disagree, but too large for a 78kg dude that wants to progress in the surf.

He mentions he wants a good all rounder with a bias towards surf. With that in mind I probably wouldn't go a FSW either. If he said he wanted a bias to bump and jump with the occasional surf then FSW would fit the bill. In this case, either go a floaty less radical wave board (single fin or tri fin) or have a look at what you have now and how it might be tuned to your current ability.

Waiting4wind said...

stehsegler said...

I wouldn't get a FSW if I was you. They are just not wave oriented enough.

Phil said he's a beginner to intermediate and he needs an all rounder!

yeah... but he also said he wants something more wave oriented and has gone out in shoulder high waves... not too many beginner to intermediate people go out in shoulder high waves. I have a feeling he might be better then he lets on hence why I suggest to him to test a board if he gets the chance.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the JP FSW. I highly rate the 92ish versions. IMHO one of the best board shapes of the past 10 years but it's not a very wave oriented board.

try and test drive a Tabou Pocket wave.

They tend to have a wider tail so more volum at the back of the board than a FSW type board. makes it much easier to get planing especially for heavier riders.

the tabou pads are really nice for jumping - much more forgiving on the joints thant the JPs ive used.

stehsegler said...

I would get one of the Tri fin / Thruster boards. JP started the trend (well, actually it was Stone in WA that had them first but he only does customs) for production boards and most brands now make them.

Nothing new about thrusters in sailboards. Had a board called a Stinger in the late 80's that was tri-fin wave. Plastic moulded thing really heavy but good thing in the day. Multiple fins have gone in and out of fashion a few times since then.

HI, phil give me a call at Jordans and will give you an idea of what you need

Just did a quick google and found your Quatro FW 85 is a 2006 model and is quoted as being 240 x 58.5. This board was effectively Quatro's Freestyle Wave from that year. Be worth taking that into consideration when thinking about anything newer.

A later model board will be shorter and fatter, but at that volume not necessarily wider.

Gwendy said...
Nothing new about thrusters in sailboards. Had a board called a Stinger in the late 80's that was tri-fin wave. Plastic moulded thing really heavy but good thing in the day. Multiple fins have gone in and out of fashion a few times since then.

Agreed... I had a Tencate Fury plastic fantastic board as well. I was cheap, fun and indestructible. However, what has changed is the shape in combination with fin shape and technology. In my opinion these are totally different concepts between then and now.

stehsegler said...

Waiting4wind said...
One of the benefits of a FSW is they are easier to get back up wind for your next ride.

One of the draw backs is that the scoop on them is usually not enough to prevent your nose from digging in when you take of on a step section of a wave.

Thats true, but it's all about perspective. Someone who has a lot of experience in the waves, like yourself, may take some of the basics for granted as they become second nature with experience.

With my level of wave sailing skill I don't go out in conditions that are too taxing so the limitations of a stiffer flatter board aren't a show stopper. However I do remember the many challenges I used to have with a hard core wave board. eg. getting on the plane, making it track well, punching through the wash, getting up to the break without having to walk up the beach etc etc. Albeit the newer boards are much easier, like the Jp Thruster I had, but it all depends on where you're at.

BTW Phil, nice looking board the Quatro.

stehsegler said...

Gwendy said...
Nothing new about thrusters in sailboards. Had a board called a Stinger in the late 80's that was tri-fin wave. Plastic moulded thing really heavy but good thing in the day. Multiple fins have gone in and out of fashion a few times since then.

Agreed... I had a Tencate Fury plastic fantastic board as well. I was cheap, fun and indestructible. However, what has changed is the shape in combination with fin shape and technology. In my opinion these are totally different concepts between then and now.

However not so different from the Marty Littlewood Delta boards that were thrusters and seem to go well for at least one east coast rider. That would have been over 10 years ago I guess.

Waiting4wind said...

stehsegler said...

Waiting4wind said...
One of the benefits of a FSW is they are easier to get back up wind for your next ride.

One of the draw backs is that the scoop on them is usually not enough to prevent your nose from digging in when you take of on a step section of a wave.

Thats true, but it's all about perspective. Someone who has a lot of experience in the waves, like yourself, may take some of the basics for granted as they become second nature with experience.

With my level of wave sailing skill I don't go out in conditions that are too taxing so the limitations of a stiffer flatter board aren't a show stopper. However I do remember the many challenges I used to have with a hard core wave board. eg. getting on the plane, making it track well, punching through the wash, getting up to the break without having to walk up the beach etc etc. Albeit the newer boards are much easier, like the Jp Thruster I had, but it all depends on where you're at.

BTW Phil, nice looking board the Quatro.

I'm with you on the conditions and expectations for wave riding, and can relate to what ya saying about planing, tacking etc- the Quatro is all hard work for me at this stage. But I will improve!

PS- It's certainly a sweet looking board. Probably too striking really, as people think I know what I'm doing!