Sizing a “real” step up

manbearpig

Duke status
May 11, 2009
29,772
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in the bathroom
i was feeling up a 7’0 FCD F rocket today and it had me thinking about sizing a real step up like this; my biggest being a 6’6 not all that far off from my short boards width and a little thicker. This 7’0 was significantly wider and thicker but felt good under arm. How much higher volume/size Do some of you go with a step up, particularly over 6’6, when compared to your everyday shortboard?
 

waxurDyl

Gerry Lopez status
Apr 22, 2010
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SoBay
I’ve had F-Rockets sized 6’2, 6’6, 6’10, 7’4. They paddle so much better than step ups based off thruster outlines thicknesses and rockers, especially when you want to maneuver around a thick lineup. Currently selling the 6’6EB847994-8C43-4017-A506-C202C135B270.jpeg120C2F59-F66E-4674-8796-E78853795D9C.jpeg
 

Duffy LaCoronilla

Duke status
Apr 27, 2016
38,639
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i was feeling up a 7’0 FCD F rocket today and it had me thinking about sizing a real step up like this; my biggest being a 6’6 not all that far off from my short boards width and a little thicker. This 7’0 was significantly wider and thicker but felt good under arm. How much higher volume/size Do some of you go with a step up, particularly over 6’6, when compared to your everyday shortboard?
The f-rocket surfs a lot longer than it’s actual length (if it’s “gun dims”)

That 7.0 would replace an 8.6.
 

Duffy LaCoronilla

Duke status
Apr 27, 2016
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Btw, I use a 6’6 pyzel step up.

once it’s too big for that I skip all that other stuff and go straight to an 8’6 padillac.

more than DOH I’m not hitting the lip so might as well just point and shoot on a big gun.
 

kool-aid

Michael Peterson status
Aug 28, 2003
3,026
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San Francisco
Kind of depends on what you hope to achieve and also what kind of waves you're trying to surf.

I have a 6'6 that is 36L and a 6'6 that is 39L. They have almost the exact same dims but serve different purposes.

Volume is generally your friend but if you're surfing a beach break and you get a board with too much volume you won't be able to get out. The other thing about volume measurements is they become a little bit less relevant outside of a shortboard zone.

There's a pretty big difference between 30L and 32L on a 6'0 but when you're talking about 7'0+ guns how do you really think about the difference between 43L and 45L if that makes sense.
 

Duffy LaCoronilla

Duke status
Apr 27, 2016
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can u turn the padillac? thought bout getting one for winter for surfing a thickish takeoff wave with a thick crowd
first of all, if it’s big and you get in the way you should probably surf somewhere else.

Secondly, let me remind you that it’s an 8’6.

That being said, yes you can turn it. Surprisingly easy for its size.

btw, I have a 7’0 on order but it’s going to be 3 1/4 in thick. There’s one particular wave I surf where that extra length gets in the way and it can be crowded
 
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Aruka

Tom Curren status
Feb 23, 2010
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In the past I had always just added a couple inches to my shortboard for my step ups. My shortboards are 6'3" or 6'4 and my step ups would be 6'5"-6'6". Usually same width, maybe a little thicker and just a liter or two up in volume. This is fine for when I'm traveling, surfing point waves or reefs and when they get up in size I just add a couple inches and all is good. Here at home however I'm usually surfing imperfect beach breaks and with the added size come added current and a much larger playing field. In that scenario I've realized 2-3 extra inches really doesn't cut it.

This year I got a 6-10 Rusty Blackbird that's my normal width but a bit of a step up in thickness and overall volume (+1/4" and 7L). I love the thing. It makes me feel like I've kinda been blowing it all these years by pussyfooting around with stepup sizing. Despite being longer and thicker it doesn't require a change of approach to my surfing, really. It still pumps and turns and can be surfed aggressively, just with more control and confidence in larger surf. It's even fun in waves that are like head high if they have a little shape. I can still duckdive it fine.

I also got a 7-10 Pyzel Padillac this year but this one wasn't custom so it's both thicker and wider and the overall design is quite different from a "normal" step up. We haven't really had the waves for it but I've taken it out a few times just to get a feel for it and it's way more of an adjustment to ride. It's not that it can't be turned but it doesn't feel like something that I'll ever hit the lip with.
 
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rts265

Phil Edwards status
Oct 19, 2007
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I ordered a 'winter board', went 6'6 2x4 from my 6'3 buzzsaw and 3" thick vs. 2.9. and 1/8" narrower. It gets into waves sooner, but it's really not going to work for the macking days I was thinking of - will consider semi-gun or 2x4 step up in the future if I find myself paddling out on those days.

BTW - I used to get waves on 'those days' on a 6'4 more narrow, way less thick, without thinking twice between the ages of teens-early 20's.

40 now and talking about a semi gun for same waves lol
 
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rowjimmytour

Tom Curren status
Feb 7, 2009
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I ordered a 'winter board', went 6'6 2x4 from my 6'3 buzzsaw and 3" thick vs. 2.9. and 1/8" narrower. It gets into waves sooner, but it's really not going to work for the macking days I was thinking of - will consider semi-gun or 2x4 step up in the future if I find myself paddling out on those days.

BTW - I used to get waves on 'those days' on a 6'4 more narrow, way less thick, without thinking twice between the ages of teens-early 20's.

40 now and talking about a semi gun for same waves lol
I was thinking have not pulled trigger yet 2x4 step up 6'3" 18.75" 2.18" sk8 to go along with my buzzsaw 5'7" 19" 2.18" sk8 and f4 5'11" 18.75" 2 375". I currently use f4 step up travel board but would like a little more rail to paddle into meaty stuff if it gets big.
 

Duffy LaCoronilla

Duke status
Apr 27, 2016
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Feels longer meaning it doesnt turn as well as say a 7'6" "typical" step up or semigun?
they are thick with wide point forward.

not exactly but sort of. They’re good boards for almost any type of wave but they aren’t great boards for any type wave. Just my opinion. I’ve always wanted to get one. Probably never will.