Hobie 9'4"

I bought a 2014 9'4 x 32 RAW in January, because winter gear was too much for my 8'11 x 31 RAW.

My 8'11 is a 2013, with a very pronounced concave in the nose.... I absolutely love my 8'11... BUT

The new Hobie RAWs have gone with a flat bottom in the nose, and my 9'4 was a LOT wider thru the nose.

I liked some aspects of the board... light, stable, catches waves easily... very fast and loose.... but I could never really get it up on a rail, every time I tried, it would flatten out and never really get into a good carving turn. It felt more like my experiences on a Simmons type SUP. Not my cup of tea, so I sold it after 2 months.

I never reviewed the board, because I don't see any need to review boards that don't suit me.... but here's a video I did of it when I first bought it. The waves were soft, rock reef waves, so I could ride it pretty flat. I was unable to put anything into the turns....so I just slid around for the session... pretending to turn... at 5:10, I took off late and thought I could lay into it a bit more.... complete fail.

I really hesitate to put this vid back up....pretty boring except, the very odd ending

If you have flatter style waves and like to surf more skatey, than rail to rail... it would be great. But not my fav.

I gotta add... I may have gotten a freak board... because my 8'11 is frickin' awesome

hi mate
i would have a look at a prowave or a hokua, or for something to think about maybe going for a custom board, i don't know where you are in NSW, but if your near in/near Sydney and you want a custom i would give Dan(DTM) a call, definitely popping out some great performance boards, should never have sold mine and brought a pop out, my next board will be a custom for sure,
if you look at a popout just try and demo the board in the sort of surf you want it for (as you seem to know the conditions) instead of small mushy crap
hope this helps

Jarryd