Select to expand quoteCasso said..ghost4man said..
Casso,
I just had another look of the video and I paused it around the 1:37 mark which initially interested me due to the speed you were generating. But this time around it occurred to me that it almost seems like you did NOT actually paddle onto the wave. Rather it almost seems that positioning and the wave picking you up resulted in the board planing by itself. Would that be correct? If that is the case then this board really knows how to plane when required. My 8'2 JP Pro would never react this in this way, at least under my feet anyhow.
Cheers Ozzie
From the original review in this thread:
The 7'2" picked it up nicely and I was reminded of my surf on Simon's board that these things actually paddle into waves very well - they seem to start planing even with the slightest lift provided by a wave before it even breaks.
Casso that was the point that I was trying to make. Obviously you should know what you were doing because you were the one on the board but I have watched that section repeatedly and it seems to me at least that you were not actually paddling during the critical phase, that is on the peak. There may have been some initial paddling during the trough phase but once you get lifted the board clearly starts planing and really really accelerating under the forward momentum of the wave. Add to that a wave which isnt exactly small and you have a very positive outcome. These boards clearly plane very very well.
Back from the maldives and got a few waves On the minion. Nothing too special though, so it was a bit hard to put thru its paces, sadly nothing like my avatar shot from last years trip. I'll get some time on the weekend to pull some thoughts together, just flat out with work at the mo. Can't add a great deal to what has been said already, but worth going into a couple.
Select to expand quoteTang said...
Back from the maldives and got a few waves On the minion. Nothing too special though, so it was a bit hard to put thru its paces, sadly nothing like my avatar shot from last years trip. I'll get some time on the weekend to pull some thoughts together, just flat out with work at the mo. Can't add a great deal to what has been said already, but worth going into a couple.
Manage to get any photos or video?
Looking forward to your comments.
How can guys after being on the naish x32 be it 8"3 or 8"8 now ride A minion ...litres so low is there something I'm missing
dam that makes my 8"8 seem huge
Yeah I was wondering the same thing, currently on a X32 8ft3" (130 ltr) and thinking about ordering one but I am lost with respect to size and similar stability as the Minions are just so radically different to a traditional surf SUP. Any thought greatly accepted, weigh in at 85 kg on a good day and still need the 130 lt's on traditional shaped SUP
phil
Select to expand quoteRossall said..
Yeah I was wondering the same thing, currently on a X32 8ft3" (130 ltr) and thinking about ordering one but I am lost with respect to size and similar stability as the Minions are just so radically different to a traditional surf SUP. Any thought greatly accepted, weigh in at 85 kg on a good day and still need the 130 lt's on traditional shaped SUP
phil
Hi Phil,
i reckon height has an impact as well, my centre of gravity quite high. I'm around 90kg and 6'2" and on a 7'8"x 281/4 x 41/4 @115litres. Previous board 8'6" x 31 @ 120 litres which I thought was my limit at the time.
Took a couple of weeks to gain any comfort on the minion but it's surprising how forgiving they become.
The stability is quite different due to the wide nose and tail, they respond well to help from the paddle. I guess personal balance skill has a big bearing on what you can handle.
One mate locally on same as me but he's 105kg, same height.
Another at similar height and weight is on a 7'4", he's got freak balance.
A couple of 7'10"s hanging around too.
jump on a plane to Adelaide, we'll get you sorted
He'll, that means once I dial in the x32 my next board very well could be the 115L minion
Love the look of that board but holy **** balls .. Seems like a dream away and only clean days ! Very clean days
Select to expand quoteTheGoodDr said..Rossall said..
Yeah I was wondering the same thing, currently on a X32 8ft3" (130 ltr) and thinking about ordering one but I am lost with respect to size and similar stability as the Minions are just so radically different to a traditional surf SUP. Any thought greatly accepted, weigh in at 85 kg on a good day and still need the 130 lt's on traditional shaped SUP
phil
Hi Phil,
i reckon height has an impact as well, my centre of gravity quite high. I'm around 90kg and 6'2" and on a 7'8"x 281/4 x 41/4 @115litres. Previous board 8'6" x 31 @ 120 litres which I thought was my limit at the time.
Took a couple of weeks to gain any comfort on the minion but it's surprising how forgiving they become.
The stability is quite different due to the wide nose and tail, they respond well to help from the paddle. I guess personal balance skill has a big bearing on what you can handle.
One mate locally on same as me but he's 105kg, same height.
Another at similar height and weight is on a 7'4", he's got freak balance.
A couple of 7'10"s hanging around too.
jump on a plane to Adelaide, we'll get you sorted
Yes I fully agree gooddr, Im 92 kilo 6'1 on a 7'10 x 29 x 115 minion and only had a few surfs but getting there on it. I to was surprised at the stability and floatation but its feeling better every surf. Must admit you have to surf them slightly different to a conventional board but they catch waves easy and track onto each wave more stable which I really like. It felt a little heavy in the nose at first because I came off a carbon widepoint but Im adjusting to that now. I think I could size down in the future to 7'6 ish . Simon is great to deal with and really helpful with advice.
Select to expand quoteTheGoodDr said..Rossall said..
Yeah I was wondering the same thing, currently on a X32 8ft3" (130 ltr) and thinking about ordering one but I am lost with respect to size and similar stability as the Minions are just so radically different to a traditional surf SUP. Any thought greatly accepted, weigh in at 85 kg on a good day and still need the 130 lt's on traditional shaped SUP
phil
Hi Phil,
i reckon height has an impact as well, my centre of gravity quite high. I'm around 90kg and 6'2" and on a 7'8"x 281/4 x 41/4 @115litres. Previous board 8'6" x 31 @ 120 litres which I thought was my limit at the time.
Took a couple of weeks to gain any comfort on the minion but it's surprising how forgiving they become.
The stability is quite different due to the wide nose and tail, they respond well to help from the paddle. I guess personal balance skill has a big bearing on what you can handle.
One mate locally on same as me but he's 105kg, same height.
Another at similar height and weight is on a 7'4", he's got freak balance.
A couple of 7'10"s hanging around too.
jump on a plane to Adelaide, we'll get you sorted
Minion test drive sessions in Adelaide, come one come all
There are that many minions down here, Gru must be a local!
Agree with GoodDr that height/centre of gravity plays a role. I am same height and similar weight to the good Dr, but prefer a 7-10. I suspect I am lazier and that my balance is not quite as good as his. I have always preferred to think that my centre of gravity is just a little higher 
.
These look like some serious fun have sent email to simon for some more information. Will post my results
I am thinking at my weight of 74kg and 184 cm with reasonable stability I could go a 6'10 and say 26 wide in the Minion. Hmmmmm
How do they paddle over distances of up to a kilometre - nice long beaches here with headland parking mainly and then need to paddle to breaks along the beach - it is great to do as the further you go the thinner the crowd and you get to surf nice uncrowded waves. Is it a surf near the carpark type SUP or paddles easily - relaxing and enjoyable.
Steve - ps was it hard work at "the box" Casso?
Select to expand quotestehar said...
How do they paddle over distances of up to a kilometre - nice long beaches here with headland parking mainly and then need to paddle to breaks along the beach - it is great to do as the further you go the thinner the crowd and you get to surf nice uncrowded waves. Is it a surf near the carpark type SUP or paddles easily - relaxing and enjoyable.
Steve - ps was it hard work at "the box" Casso?
I'd rather paddle my 7'2" Minion(92L) than my 8'0" standard shape (91L) a long distance. The Minions are pretty slow on the flat but faster and easier than a standard board of the same/similar volume.
The trip out to the Box from the beach was fine, I was waiting for it to get light enough to see the waves anyway.
Select to expand quoteCasso said..
Tang said..
I'll be brief or I'll whinge too much. Developed tendonitis in both wrists week before we left, arrived friday arvo then waited til Sunday to surf and test wrists. 2ft and flawless, me and lovely wife out alone, 30 degrees. Surfed it with shapers fins and darc drive, flies and turns beautifully. Was taking it very easy with wrists so-so. Catch a wave from top of the break towards the lower section to come in and wave closes so I crouch to stay up and my right arm goes into breaking lip, and the force pulls me just over to the right and forward and hey presto, something goes in my back. A 2ft wave. That was 48hrs ago. Lucky the surf is ****e the last 2 days, at least I can swim. Might come good but hopefully will be ok by next week for plane home...so you'll have to wait for the minion contribution from me, windy. but it is the 2nd/3rd day which is always the worst when something gets hurt....
Cheers
Tang 
Nooooooooo. Spewing. 
Hope you're OK for the tail end of your trip.
This seems the most popular size 7'10 for even bigger guys, are there any the same but a bit wider or do they not need the extra width for stability, I'm a long shot from riding one of these I would say but will be my next board
Would it be possible to have someone put a photo up up the 7'8 and the 7'10 side by side etc and there specs please
Select to expand quoteWavesareus said..
Would it be possible to have someone put a photo up up the 7'8 and the 7'10 side by side etc and there specs please
you sound keen. Why don't you just call Simon at Deep Ocean Boards, West Burleigh. He can give you all the advice you need
Select to expand quoteghost4man said...
I am thinking at my weight of 74kg and 184 cm with reasonable stability I could go a 6'10 and say 26 wide in the Minion. Hmmmmm
Hey ghost, I have 6'10x 25 3/4 x 75liters. I am 5'8 on a tall day and bout 67kgs on a heavy day! The board is so much fun it is ridiculous. I have had so many positive comments even from short boarders out at scabs who generally just give me the evil eye. It's plenty stable for me. Not sure what u ride at the moment but it's similar in stability to a Jp 7'4. At this length you do have a little strange thing with fore and aft stability. When paddling round in chop some times the nose or tail starts to sink. I just find if I stand on a slight angle it ok though and it's only when the waters confused that it's happens. It's the perfect board for me. I can take it and use it in any conditions I've tried so far but I generally don't surf huge waves. The volume floats me easy but I ordered on the safe side. I think once I kill this one I'll get the same one but 70 liters.
Hope this helps with your decision making.
This vid shows some of the top pro short boarders shredding on the Tomo vanguard (starts at 5:40). Its not sup but it is interesting to see what they can do with the shape and what they think of it
//
AHHH my internet skills have failed me. The video is red bull decades, surfboards of the future episode 6, tomo section starts at 5:40
just thought I'd share what fins are supplied by Simon at Deep, unfortunately I have not had the chance to get my new board wet yet as I work on a FIFO set up & didn't get the time.
But it's def something to look forward to
Select to expand quotetoppleover said..
just thought I'd share what fins are supplied by Simon at Deep, unfortunately I have not had the chance to get my new board wet yet as I work on a FIFO set up & didn't get the time.
But it's def something to look forward to
It's about time someone started giving some good fins, when you spend so much on a new board i'd imagine it's nice to not get some cheapo plastic fins
Jarryd
Select to expand quoteWavesareus said...
115 ? It says 119 on the board
Oops, yes it's 119 - my bad. 
