Have had the SB 9'8" for about 6 weeks and have been having a ball on it in a range of conditions . Got the chance to demo the PSH and had big expectations .
Personally I find that the SB looks like a big board and the PSH looks a lot more sleek and what a surfboard should look like .
First thing I noticed on the water is that the PSH is a lot less stable , not a problem just need to be a bit more aware . Because of its outline the PSH has a lot less volume and that was very noticable when paddling for waves . It must also have more rocker as it felt to have less glide .
Once on the wave it was an easy board to ride and responded well to back foot pressure . Also found the thinner rail on the PSH was easier to deal with on a steeper wave face .
Unfortunately I found the PSH to have less drive off the bottom and have less speed down the line . This probably isn't an issue on most waves but trying to make the fairly straight sections at Scarbs it was the difference between making the wave and having to straighten out .
Both boards due to the difference in outline ,volume and rocker have distinctive pros and cons .
I was expecting the PSH to have more pro's and the SB to be the lesser board performance wise .
For me the SB is the better board , more drive , faster down the line , more glide for early entry into wave and more stable so easier to handle getting onto a wave when the water conditions get a bit rougher .
Off the top turns felt slightly different on the two boards but can't say one was looser than the other . Did feel the SB is easier to slide out the tail a bit on fuller waves .
Rail to rail the PSH felt easier and more responsive , The SB requires more accurate foot position and back foot needs to be moved from rail to rail , not so much on the PSH .
All in all two great boards .
Good review Mike!
Andrew Allen, the PSH distributor here.
I hope you dont mind me adding some observations that might be helpful.
These are two classic boards!
You are right, we have found that when you have spent some time on another board, the PSH 'feel' can take some getting used to and it might not be for everybody. They are often different in the way they carry their volume compared to most other boards.
The 9'6 Wide Ripper when it came out in 2008/9, was a very progressive board and is still stoking crew out.
The new 9'2 Wide Ripper is its 2010 replacement (though the 9'6 remains in the range) and it is a very different board from the 9'6.
One thing for sure, the waves break very differently all over the country and some boards feel better in certain conditions. So reviews like yours help everyone get the best board for their needs. Keep em coming. AA
Andrew,
I've had a fair few goes on the 9'3" PSH (is it a ripper?) and have been comparing it to the Naish 9'6" (as well as some larger SB's).
I have to totally agree with you that the PSH has a very different feel - it feels gunnier, faster on the wave with a lot more drive. It is however, as Mike has said a lot less stable in the choppy stuff. It feels more corky.
One thing I have had a big issue with the PSH is sideways tracking/sliding when trying to catch waves. It feels like there are no fins in the back and so I often end up falling in/missing the wave as I'm turning sideways. Is there a solution?
I tried out all of the above and a few smaller ones from LSD & Starboard. I own a 9'8 Starby fish.
MIKEn - I would recomend demoing a 9ft Coreban fusion as well - it has the stability ease of paddling and is as loose as you want to go with the quad or more drivey with the thruster. if you have already purchased ignore this - but I was really struggling to find something that filled the float, ease, length and looseness catagory until I rode it - I am not new to surfing and have been riding a 6'4 biscuit - certainly no pro but know my way around the surf and I can't get enough of the Corby.
