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Starboard Avanti vs Fusion

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Created by NewScotty > 9 months ago, 11 Nov 2014
NewScotty
2350 posts
11 Nov 2014 6:55PM
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My weight is 130 kg+
Height 6'2"

My needs are to find a very stable Sup to balance on in choppy conditions.
I want to be able to stand out the back waiting for waves without the need to constantly paddle around.
Naturally, I'm leaning to the Avanti.
Anybody familiar with these Sups ?

Fusion 10'8" x 34 @ 193 litres (12.7 kg)

Avanti 11'2" x 36 @ 239 litres (14kg)

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
11 Nov 2014 10:06PM
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NewScotty said..
My weight is 130 kg+
Height 6'2"

My needs are to find a very stable Sup to balance on in choppy conditions.
I want to be able to stand out the back waiting for waves without the need to constantly paddle around.
Naturally, I'm leaning to the Avanti.
Anybody familiar with these Sups ?

Fusion 10'8" x 34 @ 193 litres (12.7 kg)

Avanti 11'2" x 36 @ 239 litres (14kg)


Similar proportions to you NewScotty, marginally lighter. I've had 9'10 Allwave (2013 model, recently sold ) and now have 10'8 x 34 Fusion. Both float me fine and were more than stable enough in all both the most wind-affected slop. Both pretty much the same volume (193-194 litres), the Fusion is probably more forgiving/mellow when it's lumpy and the extra board length and stepped rails tend to work better for me in the fat, mushy conditions I usually find myself in. I also have a Starby Atlas (2'0 x 33, 236litres) that I still enjoy on small days or when it's very very chopped up at my local.

Have only paddled the Avanti in light bay chop...insanely stable but unless you're looking for first board 36" wide is probably overkill.

Maybe user Shiresup will chime in here - he's had an Avanti and moved to Fusion. Supthecreek from the USA has also had an Avanti and gone the Allwave path.






ShireSUP
NSW, 982 posts
11 Nov 2014 10:18PM
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Chimming in here

Fusion - hands down. the Avanti is awesome but is the size of a large door.. it had its time but moving to the 10'8 then 10'2 and now 9'8

you dont need the extra width and will Appreciate the surf ability of the Fusion

even if you spend a little time in the water with the fusion to start which I doubt you will be fine after a few surfs

skiman123
NSW, 33 posts
12 Nov 2014 10:48PM
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Hi

I agree with shire sup I started on an Avanti then an Atlas and finally the Fusion all great boards. The Fusion is super stable and surfs way better.

IWB
210 posts
13 Nov 2014 7:16AM
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NewScotty said..
My weight is 130 kg+
Height 6'2"

My needs are to find a very stable Sup to balance on in choppy conditions.
I want to be able to stand out the back waiting for waves without the need to constantly paddle around.
Naturally, I'm leaning to the Avanti.
Anybody familiar with these Sups ?

Fusion 10'8" x 34 @ 193 litres (12.7 kg)

Avanti 11'2" x 36 @ 239 litres (14kg)


Your skill level and how choppy it is , will certainly determine which board will work best. At 300lbs, heavy chop, and if u are new to sup surf, I would go with the Avanti.

Kwinn
VIC, 10 posts
1 Dec 2014 2:53PM
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Don't listen to people telling you to buy the board they've "moved on to" after they started on the Avanti. They forget how it was for them when they started.

At 130kg , buy the Avanti , use it for 2 seasons , and then move on to a Fusion or something like that. (Fusion will be a good choice then) . I moved from Avanti to Fusion Pro 10 8, but I never regret buying the Avanti to begin with. The Avanti has gone to another "big guy" who is now learning to surf with it.

If you can pay the extra , buy a carbon Avanti - the standard one is a heavy beast.

Jradedmondo
NSW, 637 posts
1 Dec 2014 4:09PM
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i know a guy who is about the same size, mostly rides a longboard, but when he gets on his Avanti (which is bloody huge) he throws the thing around, I'm honestly surprised at how good it surfs, i've had a go on it and it is super stable and still surfs alright, considering im 110kg but i probably need a bit more weight to surf it better
PS i haven't surfed the fusion

just have a demo if you can mate

Jarryd

BigLump
NSW, 55 posts
1 Dec 2014 8:42PM
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I too am looking at the 10'8" x 34".

The AST has a single fin as opposed to tri fins on the WS & WSGL.

What differences will be noticeable (if any) between the single and tri fins for a sup wave learner?

ShireSUP
NSW, 982 posts
1 Dec 2014 9:25PM
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BigLump said..
I too am looking at the 10'8" x 34".

The AST has a single fin as opposed to tri fins on the WS & WSGL.

What differences will be noticeable (if any) between the single and tri fins for a sup wave learner?


Biglump go the tri fin you will notice the difference eventually

theres a pro edition for sale in classifieds. i know the board and the seller it's in good nick and been looked after

worth enquiring

BigLump
NSW, 55 posts
3 Dec 2014 4:48PM
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Appreciate the advice. Looks good and reasonably priced but a tad too late, already ordered AST version due to cost and the fact that I couldn't see the economics in purchasing a board 2 kilos lighter when I'm throwing 127 kgs on it. My reasoning is that it would be better to shed a few kgs first and then worry about a performance board.
AST board arrived today and I don't envisage performing any radical cutbacks or re-entries straight away, just a nice ride across the face.
Hopefully ShireSUP I can follow in your footsteps and shed some kilos and then progress to smaller performance boards.

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
3 Dec 2014 6:30PM
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BigLump said..
Appreciate the advice. Looks good and reasonably priced but a tad too late, already ordered AST version due to cost and the fact that I couldn't see the economics in purchasing a board 2 kilos lighter when I'm throwing 127 kgs on it. My reasoning is that it would be better to shed a few kgs first and then worry about a performance board.
AST board arrived today and I don't envisage performing any radical cutbacks or re-entries straight away, just a nice ride across the face.
Hopefully ShireSUP I can follow in your footsteps and shed some kilos and then progress to smaller performance boards.


You could always get a couple of fin boxes for sidies put in later



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"Starboard Avanti vs Fusion" started by NewScotty