Hi I am looking at some advice from people who have ridden both the above boards. I am 82 kg 5ft 11 and have been using a Cabrinha Imperial 138. It's been great for the chop we have at our local spot. I am wanting to do more wakestyle moves but won't always have flat water. I will also have a board for the light wind days so light wind performance is not particularly key but desirable if possible.
I have tried the Caliber in the weekend and while it was a good all round board I am wanting something with more wakestyle pop and don't mind sacrificing a bit of performance in the chop providing the pop is there. I am leaning towards the Custom at the moment but have been told it needs more power and doesn't cope as well with chop compared to the Caliber. The Cabrinha site claims however it is better in the chop.
I had a go on last years custom on flat water but didn't manage to get it out in the chop. It felt pretty good pop wise and smooth. How much different are the custom boards from last year compared to this year. Should I get the Custom or Caliber? If anyone can comment on sizing as well. The 133 caliber felt about right for me but not sure how I should size the custom.
I am about 78kgs and ride the 133 Caliber. The Caliber is more of an all rounder, but still has heaps of pop for wakestyle moves. I have not tried the Custom, but have been told that you need to go up a size to your usual board, and it only really works well if you are planning on using it for flat water wakestyle. I have also been told that the Custom is excellent in chop, so this may be the board for you if your keen to have a flat water specific board, and you have another board for the surf.
I've ridden Both boards and work for Kitepower who stocks these boards...
First Question - Boots or Straps?
The Custom is fantastic in chop, and has amazing pop compared to a lot of boards. The tips on the Calibre are REALLY flexxy and bend a lot when loading up for anything unhooked, the Custom just grips from the rail channels and feels really good the whole way thru your loading.
The calibre is good in chop as well. It's flex + bottom shape/channels cause the board to ride incredibly smooth thru the water and soak up the ripples nicely. The custom feels a bit more solid over the chop, but the rockerline does it's best to smooth it out... They feel very similar...
For your weight, I'd go for a 133 Calibre, or a 138 Custom... The Custom has a lot more rockerline and narrow tips meaning you need a bigger board, but because of the rails and narrow tips, you can hold it down in a lot of wind and use it to your advantage - more pop...
Go the 138 Custom.... Especially if you ride boots...
I Currently ride an airush T3 127 but am looking for something that handles the chop a bit better, and as I like the feel of a board with channels and rocker, I'm leaning towards the Custom 133.
I've heard it said that the Custom is sweet but that the Prodigy goes upwind better, anyone got any comments please ?
Prodigy does go upwind better due its flat bottom and soft rockerline.
It's very Flexy so handles the chop well, but the Custom will blow it out of the water in terms of pop and jumping etc.
If your coming from a T3 you will like the Custom a lot more than the Prodigy...
Prodigy has no channels, flat rocker and lots of flex
Custom has sweet channels, lots of rocker and perfect flex/pop... It will be exactly what your after...
Thanks all for the advice. I have ended up ordering the 138 Custom and have got similar advice along the lines of the Caliber is a better all round board and also in the lighter conditions because of the flatter rocker and width. This isn't such an issue for me as I am not often kiting in less than 15 knots and have options for light wind anyway. The pop is the thing that has sold me but will post feedback once I have had some time on it.
