What's your favorite wake surf board???

[Stephen]

I want to upgrade my board, I ride a LF Fish 5'3 now. I was thinking about looking at a Phase 5 Danielo Diamond Carbon 54". I like both skim and surf styles.
Let me know what everybody is riding.

[slipperyrockTKE300]

Inland Surfer Blue Lake and an old 6.5 ft ocean surf board I found alongside the road.

Oh....just got an email from Inland Surfer - they are now having a demo and blem sale.

[sandm]

soulcraft all the way. I ride a 4'8 surfstyle from him.

when I have a skim feeling, I have a inland surfer 4skim and a daniello carbon pro, but they don't see much action from me behind the boat.

[kaneboats]

Like my TripleX cracker board.

[trayson]

soulcraft all the way. I ride a 4'8 surfstyle from him.

when I have a skim feeling, I have a inland surfer 4skim and a daniello carbon pro, but they don't see much action from me behind the boat.

I've ridden a soulcraft custom board and it was nice, but not all that compelling for me over my Ronix Koal Illuminati. However, I rode a 4'4" Doomswell Drone Squashtail and WOW. I was in love. Honestly took me up a level in my riding. it felt loose and controlled at the same time. Everyone on the boat said it was obvious that the board should be my next purchase, like it was made for me...

[moombadaze]

Wolfemans Soulcraft board-got to ride it one time.

[csm]

+1 for Doomswell. I got a Nubstep a couple of weeks ago and love it. It's a quad fin surf style and really fun.

[wolfeman131]

I've ridden a soulcraft custom board and it was nice, but not all that compelling for me over my Ronix Koal Illuminati.

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab295/James088/DOGGY%20WORLD/dog-with-strange-head-tilt.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/James088/media/DOGGY%20WORLD/dog-with-strange-head-tilt.jpg.html)

[wolfeman131]

I want to upgrade my board, I ride a LF Fish 5'3 now. I was thinking about looking at a Phase 5 Danielo Diamond Carbon 54". I like both skim and surf styles.
Let me know what everybody is riding.

Just about anything you switch to from a wakesurf-specific company from the fish will be an upgrade. There isn't a wakeboard-centric company that makes a surfboard that will be able to keep up with you as your skill level increases. The closest you may come is a LF Doum, maybe a LF TC custom.

If you don't want to commit to a custom board, Soulcraft, Doomswell and Inland Surfer all offer production surf-style boards. If you want to take your riding to the next level, get a board made for you. There are a lot of nice skim-style boards on the market from Inland Surfer, Phase 5, Victoria and Cove.

What do you want to do on a surfboard? Huge airs or spin for days?

[Beejwest]

I was riding a 5'6" LF Fish. It was ok but I outgrew it quickly and it was way too much board for my wife. Also have some time on a LF 5'3", it was super slow and lethargic. Have ridden tons on a Ronix Carbon Skimmer and liked it until I bought a LF TC Custom 60". The Ronix is pretty fragile, light dings off the boat dented the tip, and marred the finish in other places. The front fin (unnecessary) broke within a couple weeks of riding, and the sticker says to keep it out of sunlight. The TC rides like it's on rails until you tell it to spin or slide, then it breaks loose in a jiffy. Rides great switch, and heelside I've been able to free ride WAY better than on the fish. Super buoyant, maybe more than the Ronix and seems durable so far, and pretty sweet graphics on the 2013 model. It's faster than the Ronix in my opinion. Also I'm able to get small air on ollies and good pop off the wave. I'm 6'3" and 240.

[gregski]

I was thinking about looking at a Phase 5 Danielo Diamond Carbon 54".

This is what I ride and love it. It's nice and fast so I can easily ride it even when the wave is less than perfect. I'm not good enough to comment on it's advanced level handling but I intentionally bought a high-end board so that it wouldn't limit me. I expect that it will out-perform me for the rest of my life!

[Stephen]

I think I'm going with the Phase 5 Model X 53", Will let you know how I like it.

[BamaMojo]

P5 here this week also. Model x 58

[Stephen]

Tried out my new Phase 5 Model X 53" this past weekend and it's the best riding board I've been on so far. Glad I bought it.

[trayson]

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab295/James088/DOGGY%20WORLD/dog-with-strange-head-tilt.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/James088/media/DOGGY%20WORLD/dog-with-strange-head-tilt.jpg.html)

Haha. yeah, obviously the soulcraft I rode was a cool board, but it just didn't connect with me like the doomswell did. Maybe saying it didn't excite me any more than my Koal Illuminati was an exaggeration, but that particular Soulcraft wasn't worth what I know they cost. (and it was Mike Mandley's custom so it's a fantastic board in its own right.)

That said, as much as I've liked my Ronix Koal Illuminati, I'm at about the point where I'd be willing to sell it to get into that doomswell I like...

[Stephen]

Here is my first ride on the new board, took a min to get the feel for it.
http://youtu.be/Yaau3ScTOgA

[BamaMojo]

I love my model x. I will take it to lake Martin fri and Saturday to get the official break in done...


2012 Mojo

[beej77r]

Just curious with you guys that have soulcraft boards... I emailed Jeff and gave him all my info for doing a board for me... My biggest concern is, What if the board doesn't work for me behind my boat...
That being said, I test road a Byerly board last weekend, I could not go ropeless behind my boat with the board. We took it back and test road the IS Flyboy... wow... that was a crazy ride! super responsive and fast.
we currently ride a P5 Diamond board wich is a great board. just thoughts on how "Fast" a soulcraft board is compared to an IS or P5?

[trayson]

I rode another soulcraft last night. it was a blast.

it was a Custom DaHonu 56". really fun.

[rca]

I've been demoing a Doomswell Big Step for the past week and will have my own soon. For big guys like me it is the best board I've ridden so far. It's big, but so am I.

[csm]

I've been demoing a Doomswell Big Step for the past week and will have my own soon. For big guys like me it is the best board I've ridden so far. It's big, but so am I.

I've got the Nubstep, which I think is the smaller version of the Big Step. It's a quad, but I took out the back two fins, and I love it. You almost have to try to fall out of the pocket. It's got so much drive.

[rca]

I've been riding the Big Step with two fins as well.

[trayson]

The only Doomswell that I have ridden is the Drone 4'4" squashtail. I've talked to Blake and he said that the 4'6 would be awesome for me. The thing is that I haven't ridden any of their other boards. I'm 5'10" and 169 pounds.


Has anyone ridden both the drone and the nubstep? how do they compare?

[csm]

I haven't ridden the Drone, but I asked Brock about both of them. He said the basic difference is the tail.. The Drone's squash tail is great for airs, but not so much for spinning. The Nubstep is a little more of an all around board that you can carve/air out, but potentially do some spins on, so that's why I went that way. I've heard the Drone is great though.

[Reggie]

I want to upgrade my board, I ride a LF Fish 5'3 now. I was thinking about looking at a Phase 5 Danielo Diamond Carbon 54". I like both skim and surf styles.
Let me know what everybody is riding.
Ive got the phase 5 danielo diamond 54" and love it. Im 215lbs and its super fast.

[muehlcj]

Just curious with you guys that have soulcraft boards... I emailed Jeff and gave him all my info for doing a board for me... My biggest concern is, What if the board doesn't work for me behind my boat...
That being said, I test road a Byerly board last weekend, I could not go ropeless behind my boat with the board. We took it back and test road the IS Flyboy... wow... that was a crazy ride! super responsive and fast.
we currently ride a P5 Diamond board wich is a great board. just thoughts on how "Fast" a soulcraft board is compared to an IS or P5?

You will love your SC. I'm guessing it's a surf style board so it's going to be a totally diff ride then your p5 (I have been ride the same board for p5 3 years). I picked up a SC this spring after surffest and can't put it down. One thing to keep in mind with the new board is fins are going to make all the diff in the world. The board comes with futures fin boxes. Spend some time on the futures website learning about the different fins.

[freshturk]

We primarily ride a Victoria factor and have been super thrilled with it. Insane amounts of drive for a skim, very responsive and turns on a dime. Surprising my wife with a custom surf style for her birthday in January. Ive narrowed it down to a doomswell or soulcraft. Without the opportunity to ride either manufacturer makes things a bit tough but from what ive read i'm hard pressed to thinking that either will disappoint.

[trayson]

We primarily ride a Victoria factor and have been super thrilled with it. Insane amounts of drive for a skim, very responsive and turns on a dime. Surprising my wife with a custom surf style for her birthday in January. Ive narrowed it down to a doomswell or soulcraft. Without the opportunity to ride either manufacturer makes things a bit tough but from what ive read i'm hard pressed to thinking that either will disappoint.

I've ridden a custom soulcraft da honu and also a doomswell 4'4" drone squashtail. I LOVE both of them, but I give the slight edge to the Doomswell. I just clicked with it more and it was fun to slide out the ass on the Doomswell.

My Doomswell Nubstep should be done any day and will be shipping this week!

[wolfeman131]

Surprising my wife with a custom surf style for her birthday in January. Ive narrowed it down to a doomswell or soulcraft.

Check out the podium shots from the World Championship. Might help you with your decision.

[trayson]

Without the opportunity to ride either manufacturer makes things a bit tough but from what ive read i'm hard pressed to thinking that either will disappoint.

Honestly you're right. the first soulcraft I rode was a great board. I just happened to connect with the Doomswell more. in the meantime, I was able to ride a Soulcraft Da Honu. Again, a fantastic board and since I didn't have anything of that caliber, when I'd go out with my friend that had it I wouldn't even bother bringing any of my Ronix boards.

However, since I'd made that connection with Doomswell and worked directly with Brock who took amazing care of me, I went Doomswell. You honestly can't go wrong either way.

Mine shows up on Thursday! I am super stoked.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9iOiuKtn9BM/VDLEcP1HbPI/AAAAAAAAUfc/qMovVMEw9VY/s800/IMG957298.jpg

[beej77r]

That's a sick looking board!! what did that run you? If you don't mind me asking...

[trayson]

That's a sick looking board!! what did that run you? If you don't mind me asking...

http://www.doomswell.com/wakesurfboards/nubstep

Well, the board retails for $675. adding color is about another $20. Not sure how much of a premium would come for the graphics... I originally was going to hold off on the graphics and the wife did a ninja move and called Brock and had them added; then she proceeded to buy me the whole board for our anniversary present. She's a keeper!!

[beej77r]

uh yeah... she is a keeper!!! My wife would never do that...

that is a bit cheaper than SoulCraft... any opinions on either... one?

[trayson]

uh yeah... she is a keeper!!! My wife would never do that...

that is a bit cheaper than SoulCraft... any opinions on either... one?

Well, I have ridden a Soul Craft Da Honu. It's a GREAT board. however, I've also ridden a Doomswell Drone 4'4" squashtail and it literally blew my mind. It was meant for me. I loved the speed and the way it carved and slashed; plus I was able to slide the ass or the board out at the top of the wave. it was a blast. that feeling of being in control and out of control at the same time. After talking to one of the Doomswell sponsored riders, I decided to take a chance on the Nubstep, as it's supposedly even better.

You really can't go wrong with either one, but I connected with the Doomswell, and Brock was great to work with and I'm happy to support him.

[wolfeman131]

that is a bit cheaper than SoulCraft... any opinions on either... one?

The wake9 Polar Bear event is this week. If you're unfamiliar with the event, it in one where riders demo different boats & boards and then provide feedback.

http://wake9.com/polar-bear-2014/

If you're not ready to pull the trigger right away, wait until the results are posted for a broader set of opinions.

I form my opinions by facts and results. These pics are from surf-style divisions the 2014 World Wakesurf Championship.

Champion on a Soulcraft:

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/1090913_10202355668005615_4181904283713582237_o.jp g (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/wolfeman131/media/1090913_10202355668005615_4181904283713582237_o.jp g.html)

Champion & Runner Up on a Soulcraft:

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/10603901_10202355665645556_9190663186481825912_o.j pg (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/wolfeman131/media/10603901_10202355665645556_9190663186481825912_o.j pg.html)

Runner Up on a Soulcraft:

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/1920987_10202355664685532_7758913724449996520_o.jp g (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/wolfeman131/media/1920987_10202355664685532_7758913724449996520_o.jp g.html)

Second Runner Up on a Soulcraft:

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/1531921_10202355664405525_8802398224911375890_o.jp g (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/wolfeman131/media/1531921_10202355664405525_8802398224911375890_o.jp g.html)

[wolfeman131]

Probably the largest showing of any manufacturer

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/10660097_10204929570547152_7145220115669559648_n.j pg (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/wolfeman131/media/10660097_10204929570547152_7145220115669559648_n.j pg.html)

[trayson]

Wolfman, You know I've said time and time again that the soulcraft boards that I have ridden are great. I loved the Da Honu.

But Showing all the podium shots means that 1) they are a great board. and 2) it means that they have deep sponsorship pockets. I would imagine that those riders could have gotten on the podium riding any top end board.

Kinda like Gopro vs. Contour. Gopro saturated the market and dominated the sponsorships. Were they a better camera than Contour? in some ways, yes, but in other ways absolutely not. I used both and have first hand experience. But who ultimately dominated the marketplace? Gopro.

I guess that all I'm saying is that you seem to be pushing soulcraft pretty hard. Is it safe to assume that you guys are sponsored by them and get free product? Is it safe to assume you have a bias? Have you personally ridden any of the other high end boards? I'd love to hear your first hand experience. of the high end boards, I've ridden Soulcraft, Doomswell, and Brigade. So those are the only ones I can speak to.

Please, don't take this wrong, I'm not trying to discredit ANYTHING you're saying. They're probably the top boutique wakesurf company. they have awesome market penetration and that can't happen without a quality product. I guess I was just looking for a "we're sponsored by Soulcraft and have an admitted bias" type disclaimer. :-)

[trayson]

So, the above aside, my Doomswell Nubstep was dropped off at my office by fedex today! And I got off work early to pick my son at PDX. we went straight home to a boat that was hitched up and ready to go.

We launched and the river was smooth enough to jump behind the boat right from the launch. In fact, it was so smooth that I busted out the Slalom ski!!!! And it stayed smooth. We were the only wake boat out there. Had the Columbia River to ourselves.

This is what I had the whole night!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pWJ98RZECIE/VDdY8nVJSvI/AAAAAAAAUhU/a5W9X43REg4/s800/20141009_175331.jpg

Again, it was so smooth that I couldn't resist pulling out the wakeboard. Took a couple runs and was just having a blast. With just the center bag filled, the XLV had a better wakeboard wake than my Supra Sunsport ever did.

Finally, after getting my smooth water ya-ya's, I pulled out my never touched Doomswell. I had the XLV setup with 600 center and probably 900 or so in the rear locker (my 1100 keeps twisting and didn't seem to fill all the way). That said, my wave wasn't legendary by any stretch. However, despite a mediocre wave, the Nubstep did not disappoint. It was crazy fast and I had to put very little effort into staying in the pocket. I was able to ride effortlessly on a wave that I would have been working my butt off with my Ronix Caption or my Ronix One Skimmer. I rode the nubstep with only the two outer thruster fins (the same setup as the Drone I rode previously). I'd have to ride the Drone and the Nubstep side by side to really know which one I liked better. But I was super stoked and I don't regret my purchase at all (okay, not MY purchase, because my wife pulled another sneaky ninja and got the custom graphics added and PAID for the whole board as a present for our 3rd anniversary!!!).

The board was plenty stable. Like the other real surf style boards I've ridden, they are the most stable when they're carving. However, even when I was just chillin on the Nubstep, there was no squirleiness. I felt instantly comfortable on it and I can guarantee that it's my go-to board--period.

As an added bonus, it fits in my padded hyperlite wakeboard bag, so it's going to be babied and protected!

[wolfeman131]

Trayson,

I have purchased my Soulcraft boards, so I don't know that a "disclaimer" is necessary. I've offered up my opinion many times to folks, based on personal experience (I've sold more boards than you've ridden), on different board brands and I don't recall that I've ever directed anyone to buy a Soulcraft. Frankly, I don't appreciate your insinuation that my response to the OP provides me with some sort of personal benefit.

Besides, my direction to the OP was to read the reviews after the wake9 event, not to purchase a Soulcraft. You keep talking about/pushing and purchased a board model you've never ridden based on it being "supposedly better." As I stated in my post, I like facts.

So, a few other facts for you: Soulcraft does not have deep sponsorship pockets. There are very few deep sponsorship pockets in the competitive wakesurf world. The point of the podium shots is that, while those riders very well may have gotten there on any board, they chose Soulcraft.

Back to the OP - in the end, it doesn't really matter what people think of a board or board company as your riding style is unique. If you have a chance to demo boards then do that before dropping a few hundred bucks. If that isn't possible, check out the reviews from the wake9 Polar Bear and Southern Surfest.

[trayson]

Trayson,

I have purchased my Soulcraft boards, so I don't know that a "disclaimer" is necessary. I've offered up my opinion many times to folks, based on personal experience (I've sold more boards than you've ridden), on different board brands and I don't recall that I've ever directed anyone to buy a Soulcraft. Frankly, I don't appreciate your insinuation that my response to the OP provides me with some sort of personal benefit.

Besides, my direction to the OP was to read the reviews after the wake9 event, not to purchase a Soulcraft. You keep talking about/pushing and purchased a board model you've never ridden based on it being "supposedly better." As I stated in my post, I like facts.

So, a few other facts for you: Soulcraft does not have deep sponsorship pockets. There are very few deep sponsorship pockets in the competitive wakesurf world. The point of the podium shots is that, while those riders very well may have gotten there on any board, they chose Soulcraft.

Back to the OP - in the end, it doesn't really matter what people think of a board or board company as your riding style is unique. If you have a chance to demo boards then do that before dropping a few hundred bucks. If that isn't possible, check out the reviews from the wake9 Polar Bear and Southern Surfest.

Ya know, based on your explanation, I better understand. Accept my apologies. I jumped to come conclusions and I'm sure that others did too. So now that you've responded to my friendly calling you out, everyone is better informed and your stuff now comes across even more credible then before.

As far as the decision tree that led me to ultimately choose my board:

I rode Mike's custom soulcraft. immediately after it I rode Steven's Doomswell Drone. Everyone on the boat saw me come alive on the Drone. I pretty much said that the Drone needed to be my next board.

I later had some lengthy conversations with Micah Harper who has personally ridden all the various Doomswell boards. based on his review I decided that I would take a chance on the Nubstep vs the Drone. Like you said, if you don't have a chance to ride a board, then do your best to get reviews. Micah is a better rider than I'll ever be, and said that the Nubstep was faster and spun quicker and was overall a better board. It was a tough call. In the end, I'm very happy.

Also, I had to pinch pennies to get this board. We sold my Ronix Koal and I did without my primary board for a while so I could justify ordering a Doomswell. A soulcraft would have been more money, so financially there was another reason why I went the way I did.


Anyway, I'm all about communication and I really, genuinely love to know where other people are coming from. So I hope that we're cool and please know that while I provoked you a little, that I really do respect what you say and in the end I'm glad we have a cool community here on Moomba forums where we can have this kind of info get out there.

If you're ever in my neck of the woods, you've got an open invite to ride with me and share any of my toys!

-T

[rdlangston13]

I got on a drone yesterday for the first time and it was way more fun than my CWB ride. That is the extent of surf boards I have ridden. A cwb ride which sucks and a Doomswell drone which was a blast


Sent from my iPhone

[trayson]

I got on a drone yesterday for the first time and it was way more fun than my CWB ride. That is the extent of surf boards I have ridden. A cwb ride which sucks and a Doomswell drone which was a blast


Sent from my iPhone

Wow. Talk about a difference. Seriously, it's like comparing Ford Taurus Station Wagon to your new Z-car. I've ridden both!
.

[jmvotto]

I love the wakewood Sputnik and the p5 model x and my inland swallow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trayson]

I had an opportunity to ride a Lakewakes Flying Saucer recently. I've put two sets on it and it's certainly one of my favorite skims to ride. I haven't ridden many skims though. Just this, a 4'10" ronix one skimmer, and a 4'4" ronix one carbon skimmer.

But The lakewakes was fast and light. definitely worth a look.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e4x1PM_iK_o/VE8QJ0Z2beI/AAAAAAAAUwE/_1IbA_GWNxs/s800/10449140_754885237933824_1840456965_n.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rIo9ztl2JDc/VFBfDGzcrrI/AAAAAAAAUxQ/tcF0pcwiHcw/s800/GOPR1324.JPG

[patreojames]

I think I'm going with the Phase 5 Model X 53", Will let you know how I like it.