Help me with "the quest", please.......

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

Tanner, Height and weight? I am anxious to hear this board review.

What kind of tail does it have? What # is it?

~A

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

Can you take a digi pic?

~A

pickles · Jan 30, 2004

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Tanner:
NEWSFLASH.........

A co-worker who's going to Mammoth for the weekend just handed me his Merrick MBM to try while he's gone.

6'6 x 19 5/8 x 2 5/8 with a swallow.

Stay tuned.......<hr /></blockquote>Whats up Tanner? You're stoked on trying that one out ... but thats more than enough board for me and I dwarf you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> You're a pretty short guy (well, to me anyway), your stance has to be fairly narrow ... its possible that one reason you stand too far forward is thats where the forward sweet spot is on most of your boards. If you get a shorter board you'll be able to get both feet in the right spot. When you lean back you'll crank, and when you lean forward you'll fly. You'll be in control. Especially since you like to drive down the line you don't want too long of a board or you'll have to stand in the middle of it!

I've ridden those MBBs, and quite frankly I think its the one Merrick design that is just really unsuccessful. If you even just got the same dims in an MX, MBM, or in the case of that 7'2" maybe an MSG, I think you'd like it a lot better. I've also seen good things done on an M-13. The MBB is ultra boxy, has a mega-thick foil pattern, and I felt completely out of control when I rode them ... like the board was riding me. I was comparing like sizes (6'10"s) to my older merrick flyer II in overhead huntington beach.

So whats wrong with that 6'4" flyer you've got? sounds like a fairly reasonable size (but yea, I might still say its a little long).

Let me know if I'm getting annoying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

[ January 30, 2004, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: pickles ]

LeeD · Jan 30, 2004

Hey WW9
Go Aleda or Body Glove.
Owner of BG is 5'8" and 245.
Aleda's always fit shorter, wider, stronger guys.
NEVER try a Rip, O'n, Htline, if you are built like that.

pickles · Jan 30, 2004

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by WetWork999:
Thanks pickles. What about tail design? Damn this is an informative post.

225 lbs, wow someone with a sim frame as I. What do you do for wetsuits??? I am having the hardest damn time finging a proper fitting wetsuit that does not make me look like a sausage about to blow its casing. I tore a Ripcurl Cell trying to put it on. Not fun but the salesgal just laughed and said nothing of it and said it happens from time to time.

I can not imagine being the weight of some of the guys I have seen in the water and yes I am envious at times. Especially when we talk dimensions wating for a set and this kid is sporting a 2 1/8 thick board and still floats it like a canoe. Damn...

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by pickles:
( this post is aimed more at WetWork than Tanner ... since I'm not sure if Tanner needs this advice or not )

I'd get a 6'1" if I were you ... go a little wider than hogan says if you are nervous about it (WetWork you might need like 20" wide). If you really feel like you need more paddle go with less rocker and a fuller outline (Speed Demon, Flyer, BOB, etc), not a longer board. You might not be able to ride it your first day, but you will figure it out and be a better surfer for it.<hr /></blockquote><hr /></blockquote>Well now, when I was 225 there was considerable FAT in that equation, and I'm 6'4" so I hide it pretty well ... kind like a scaled up version of a normal guy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> So the XXL suits from Oniel always fit me OK. I think they allow for some gut in a suit that size since they assume the customer will appreciate it. At about 205 the rip curls fit me decent now. Not great, but decent.

You with those 16" guns ... I dunno man. You can get custom suits and for you it might really be a good idea.

Or just move to hawaii with the rest of us Mokes.

And I'll say it again ... these Mayhem boards are really working great for me. Matt is a big guy too, so I think he's got them a lot more dialed in than Al, who IIRC is more the size of your "average" surfer. Al showed me clearly that he does not understand the needs of a large performance surfer when he put out the MBB.

< / opinionated bastard > just in case you've got XML turned on <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

[ January 30, 2004, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: pickles ]

pickles · Jan 30, 2004

Oh yea ... WetWork asked about tail design ... it really doesn't matter as much as you think. I had been riding that merrick Flyer II with a "notch" tail, otherwise I've always had a squash. Overall board design matters more, but if in doubt go with a moderate squash.

pickles · Jan 30, 2004

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by serf:
Dude this post rocks! After reading all the posts . . . gave me something to think about. Not an epiphany, but something that offers explanation.

I was wondering why after doing a bottom turn I'm staring down the wave face and then the curl catches up [board is slow]. Or why I fubared tons of take offs during the offshores a few weeks ago . . .

As soon as get some cash I'm experimenting and going shorter . . . Or at least borrowing pals boards.<hr /></blockquote>Hey serf you could have other problems there buddy ... if the wave is catching up to you when you come off the bottom, draw your line higher up the face and drop at more of an angle, instead of going all the way out into the flats. And try putting less weight on your inside rail on your bottom turn, you could be bogging it.

And if its a thruster remember that you need to keep it moving rail-to-rail to keep your speed up. If you just stand there you'll just slow down.

OK now we're way outside the scope of the topic here ... but I thought I should mention it.

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

Thanks Tanner. Wifey is ok with me getting a few new boards as she got a few items that got me points, plus she is ok with me as I got rid of 2 toys. so I decided on not only some boards but some American Muscle. Tanner, Do you snowboard at all?

~A

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Tanner:
Wettie, as mentioned at the top of the thread, I'm 5'8, 180. The guy who rides this board is alot bigger than me, probably 6'2/220, but he's always saying he needs a bigger board. It'll be interesting to see how it goes. I can't get in the water tomorrow, but I'm all over it on Sunday.

Can't get a number off the board, since the owner painted over it (unfortunately it's a fish, not a dead rock star <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ).

Also as mentioned, it's a swallow tail. I'll try to take a digi this weekend, as well as a quiver shot.<hr /></blockquote>

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

Pickles far from annoying. I know I have taken away a lot of info and some of your ride inferences have been dead on for me.

Would it be safe to say that we larger men ride differently than our lighter brethren?

Additionally, pickles, what did you like more about the Flyer II?? The next board I am going to order will either be an M-BB, Flyer II or an M-13 so you touched base on all of those. Give up the good in terms on info.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by pickles:

Originally posted by Tanner:
[qb]NEWSFLASH.........

I've ridden those MBBs, and quite frankly I think its the one Merrick design that is just really unsuccessful. If you even just got the same dims in an MX, MBM, or in the case of that 7'2" maybe an MSG, I think you'd like it a lot better. I've also seen good things done on an M-13. The MBB is ultra boxy, has a mega-thick foil pattern, and I felt completely out of control when I rode them ... like the board was riding me. I was comparing like sizes (6'10"s) to my older merrick flyer II in overhead huntington beach.

Let me know if I'm getting annoying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

I checked an Aleeda and it felt really tight and when I sim'd paddling, no joy. Thelat area felt ungodly tight as if the seams were cutting into me. I have yet to try on a Body Glove. I did try on a larger fitting XLS Oneil Psycho that felt good. I have lost 2 lbs this week and I am assumign a good portion of that was muscle. I am tryign to get down to sub 200lbs. I called up to Ci and they said to hodl off on orderign a board until I get to where I think I am going to hold my weight.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by LeeD:
Hey WW9
Go Aleda or Body Glove.
Owner of BG is 5'8" and 245.
Aleda's always fit shorter, wider, stronger guys.
NEVER try a Rip, O'n, Htline, if you are built like that.<hr /></blockquote>

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

I wish my arms were 16, they are upwards of 19 and a PITA. I am dieing here on this low protein low carb diet trying to lose muscle. Today was a cranky day. But I managed.

I saw above your disgust with the M-BB. I tried a friends Lost in 6'6" and it felt skittish to me but I have to ask my friend the exact dimensions. It felt as though it over anticipated my inputs. I will also ask to try it again. And this time I will take pics.

Who does custom wetsuits, and can they do liquid tape and stretchy material like the top manufacturers.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by pickles:

Originally posted by WetWork999:
[qb]Thanks pickles. What about tail design? Damn this is an informative post.

Well now, when I was 225 there was considerable FAT in that equation, and I'm 6'4" so I hide it pretty well ... kind like a scaled up version of a normal guy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> So the XXL suits from Oniel always fit me OK. I think they allow for some gut in a suit that size since they assume the customer will appreciate it. At about 205 the rip curls fit me decent now. Not great, but decent.

You with those 16" guns ... I dunno man. You can get custom suits and for you it might really be a good idea.

Or just move to hawaii with the rest of us Mokes.

And I'll say it again ... these Mayhem boards are really working great for me. Matt is a big guy too, so I think he's got them a lot more dialed in than Al, who IIRC is more the size of your "average" surfer. Al showed me clearly that he does not understand the needs of a large performance surfer when he put out the MBB.

< / opinionated bastard > just in case you've got XML turned on <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>

WetWork999 · Jan 30, 2004

picles can you e-mail me a pic of that Flyer II you are raving about. You got my attention with that board. apachon@neptunecreative.com

~A
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by pickles:
Oh yea ... WetWork asked about tail design ... it really doesn't matter as much as you think. I had been riding that merrick Flyer II with a "notch" tail, otherwise I've always had a squash. Overall board design matters more, but if in doubt go with a moderate squash.<hr /></blockquote>

pickles · Jan 31, 2004

That 6'6" that felt "skittish" ... thats exactly what I was talking about when I wish somebody had smacked me. If a board "overreacts" ... MOVE YOUR BODY LESS. A performance board is only too small if you loose speed when you should be planing, or if you can't catch waves or make sections. You just have to get used to it. Then you learn control, and you progress. But 6'6" is still long for you, and its probably not wide enough.

I don't reccomend MBB at all. CI will steer you toward the MBB cause they don't know any better. Or take what they reccomend for you in an MBB, add 1/8" thickness and order it as an MBM or leave the dims alone and order as a flyer II. Those F2s are pretty fun especially in moderate conditions. The F2 is my third favorite board ever, after both my new Mayhems. And my brother (even taller than me) loves them, and a good friend (another big guy) really likes his, though he likes his new MBM better.

Now ... if you're not quite as skilled, that M13 is a real good option. I had an older friend that rode one and he had great flow on it. I've also seen them used for evil. Its a hybrid and seems to still work for people as a longer board. Like a super performance egg kind of thing. I'm not against all longer boards, just longer high-performance thrusters. Just don't get the thailand version. Its hard to know what to reccomend without knowing where you are and where you want to be. Maybe send me a PM if you want to go into more detail (I know some are laughing now) ... sorry Tanner about the massive thread hijack.

Photo of the Flyer II and the Mayhems are here:

http://forum.surfermag.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000619

I will warn you, these Mayhems I got are maximum performance and pretty darn delicate. You may want to ask for heavy glass or maybe go with an XTR epoxy, since they are supposed to have better crush strength. I'm pretty sure my next 6'5" (small wave board) will be an XTR.

Halcyon · Feb 1, 2004

Hey Tanner,

I don't know if you've been in contact with Steve Coletta or not, but I want to answer you question about why I picked the specks I did for you.
First, If you go to the type of tail design I suggested and do end up with a board from Natural Curves. You'll find the board will surf considerably shorter than 6'9" because of the way it's configured. Steve does his boards very much differently that Al Merrick does. The rocker is more flowing and the board surf more in the wave than on it.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in. Hope you find something you're stoked with.

Mahalo, Rich

pickles · Feb 2, 2004

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Tanner:
ALSO -

Hey Pickles, I checked out the link you sent with the board chart. According to that guy, I should be riding a 6'0 x 18 3/4 x 2 3/8.

I know you should never judge a book by it's cover, but I'm imagining picking that board up, off the rack, and the first thing I'm thinking of is "there's no way this thing will float me".....

Also, you suggested getting the same dimensions on some of my Merricks on a MX. That's what I've been thinking of.....taking the dimensions on my Flyer (6'4 x 19 3/4 x 2 5/8), and seeing how they look on a MX (maybe dropping down to 19 1/2, though).

Thoughts?<hr /></blockquote>You're right, that would be a pretty drastic drop ... you could think about just getting it a little thicker or wider, as a transition if nothing else. Keep it short but retain a little volume for paddling.

MX is a super chippy board, knife rails, and in the same dims as a normal board will be scary-thin, so that could actually be a cool way to drop some volume. MBM is a more "mortal" rail. I was thinking you could get a flyer or MBM in dims close to what hogan was talking about or a little bigger. That flat deck would help soften the landing onto a smaller board. MBM as a 6'1" x 19.25" x 2.5" or therabouts? Or a flyer as a 6'0" with the same?

A step in between would also let you gradually work on getting your feet farther back, so theres a vote for your 6'4" MX idea... then set your sights on a 6'1" for the next go-round ... If you jump up too far forward on a 6'1" you'll be hangin 20 in no time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Best thing though ... ask the shaper. This is all just my .02 coming from a lot of experience with poorly matched surfboards <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

pickles · Feb 2, 2004

Actually ... I wouldn't be afraid to go 19.5 wide ... thats the dimension that will really freak you out if you go too small. Too much change at one time will just make the whole deal a bummer.

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Help me with "the quest", please.......