Given that Bob Mc Tavish is one of our "top shelf" ausie shapers, I was surprised to find that there was not much in the way of reviews for this board. Reading the forum, they don't seem as popular as the Hawaiian / American brands, so I thought I would post a review since I just bit the bullet and bought one.
These are my impressions after my first surf on it. Sorry - I can only compare it to my PSH Ripper 9'3", as this is the only other board I have spent much time on.
The board:
9' x 29' x 4 1/4'
FCS quad set up, + Centre fin box (I tested it as a quad)
The rider:
Weight 85-88kg - 6foot tall.
Time riding SUP: 6 months.
Last board: PSH 9'3" Ripper (the board I learnt on)
The conditions:
2-3ft beach break
10-15kts of side-shore wind. (choppy /starting to white cap)
On the beach:
It is Light! Way lighter than my PSH 9'3". The handle is too far forward, so the tail drags if you don't watch it. Although it is marketed as having a shortboard design, it has a relatively fishy outline.
In the surf:
Paddleing stability was good. I always struggle getting out through the beach break, but today I had more success than ever. I was almost in love with my new board before I even caught a wave because it seems to punch through the surf so well!
One thing that has always frustrated me about SUP is that I can't spin around and get onto a wave at the last minute. The whole ordeal of turning around and gathering enough momentum to catch a wave often ends up with me in the drink when I try to do it at the last minute. I was stoked today that the McT was allowing me to get onto waves later, with less paddle strokes.
Surfing quads always feels a bit strange to me. All my shortboards are thrusters, and I never feel completely comfortable on a quad. The SUP was no different. There was not the same drive out of turns that I would have expected from my PSH Ripper. Having said that, The board did feel more agile in the small surf, and quicker from rail to rail. I managed to race over the lip for a few proper floaters that I would not have even tried on my old board.
So after my first session - I am stoked that I bought it, and can't wait to ride it in some better conditions!
Thanks to Lou (Eastcoast SUP) for hooking me up!
Hey Craigus, I have the 10ft McT and love it. I am 110kg and it floats me fine. Putting 4 Kelly Slater hexcore fins in improved the drive heaps for me and loosened it up as well. Expensive but well worth it, I got some second hand ones, thanks Billy. The board is so stable and forgiving, the only fault I could find was the handle position, like yourself. But man they are well built.
PS Thanks to Lou from Eastcoast for hooking me up too about 6 months ago.
I have the 9'6'', but don't find the board that light , compared to the other Naish and Starboard boards that I have owned. It is a durable board though.
Am looking at getting a 10' McT, but havent seen many around. Have heard they don't surf that well from some, but others reckon they're great even though there an older design. Anyone got an opinion?
