Hi,
Please feel my pain and help me.
I really need your advice...
I'm riding Magnum 6" for 2 seasons now (my season is short, I was c.a. 30 times on water).
This is a love-hate relation. I never ride the big waves that this board is designed for and pretty often miss that little bit of stability - this gets constantly into my way e.g. when switching legs or make a wrong balance attempt in the wave... On a plus side I really like how it turns and its speed (feel a little bit too long for me, though - but maybe I'm making this up...). Other kids are laughing that Mangum's shape is outdated and a lot changed since then :) I bought it only because it was cheap and there were no other options, but I'm worried that it takes some of the fun factor from me when riding waves. My typical conditions are 0.5m - 2.5m waves and all wind conditions from 15 to 35 kts. I'm 79-81 kg, 178cm tall.
Magnum's gun-shape dimensions are 6' x 18.25" x 2.25" - volume info is nowhere to be found :(
What would you do (I don't want to spend too much hence old models), some of the ideas based on what I can buy now:
1. Stay on the Magnum, feel the pain, in 1-2 season I will possess god-like balance and skills, now take as much fun from the crazy-speed-out-of-control-and-often-wipeouts feeling
2. Buy 2016 5'8 Cabrinha Phenom 5'8" x 19.4" x 2.5", vol 28.9L - but isn't it too much volume? It's heavy as hell with 4.5 kg and I heard is not that durable?
3. Buy 2016 5'5 Cabrinha Phenom 5'5" x 18.5" x 2.2", vol 23.5L - but on paper dimension are like Magnum's, so does it have sense? I guess it has broader nose so it's like comparing apples to oranges?
4. Buy 2016 WAM 5'8" x 18" x 2 1/8" 22.9L
5. Buy 2016-2017 F-One Mitu Pro Model 5'8" 172 x 47 cm 23.5 L
6. Buy 2016-2017 F-One Mitu Pro Model 5'10" 177 x 48.5 cm 25 L
7...... ANY OTHER candidates please?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
P
Also... are these Mitu boards durable? From what I understood Phenoms can be pretty durable (are they?), as they are build from epoxy. I cannot find this info regarding Mitu, but as it is more lightweight and described as "flexible" doesn't it mean that its build in the polyester technology? I think I would prefer epoxy construction as I understand that it is way easier for self-repair (I already put 0.3 kg of epoxy glue on the Magnum and it still is watertight and floats ;)).
It looks like I had to choose between Mitu and Phenoms because of the price... Will Phenom 5'5" be too short for me? Will Mitu 5'8" be too short for me (79-80kg)?
I don't need a lightwind board, just an easier-than-Magnum wave board for 13+ kts and 0.4 - 2.5m wave. I think I will keep the Magnum anyway in my collection...
What do you think?
If you can find a Cabrinha Spade I would give that a shot. I ride the 2017 Spade aoubt 90% of the time here in Hawaii, when it really pumps I have the Proto which is Reo's old model (more rockered/narrow.) The Spade is light and playful, wide and stable for freestyle and transitions, and can handle pretty solid waves too. I have been jumping mine strapless for about a year and it's still going strong. Definitely keep your Magnum for the super high wind days with bigger waves and get something wide and playful for a day to day board. The Tomo Firewire boards are also really good if you have access to them. Happy hunting.
Just a heads up also on the Cabs...I have the 2015 Proto, it's super heavy. I believe 2016 was the year that they refined the build and lightened them up but I'm not sure. Get your hands on one and check it out before you decide. The 2017's are light and still very strong. Good luck.
