Narrow Mid-Length Recommendations

Looking for recommendations for narrow mid-length boards. I've narrowed it down to three, but can't decide, entering paralysis by analysis.

Me: 85kg dry, advanced intermediate, tack
and gybe with confidence. Current board is a Fanatic/Duotone sky wing te 105ltr. I like riding waves and sailing in a variety of conditions from 10-30knts usually on Puget Sound or in the Gorge. I'd like a one board quiver.

Sunova Carver 6'2" 95ltr 8 week lead time
Sab Torpedo 6'3" 100ltr 3 week lead time
Amos Sultan Wing 6'2" 95ltr 9 week lead time

All are around the same price shipped to the USA. I probably can't go wrong, there are a lot of great posts here and other spots on how good the Carver is, but not much on the Torpedo, other than a viral reel.

Thanks!

if you'd be interested in an AFS Blackbird 6'2" x 21.1" @ 90l I can ship you one next week via air cargo when I'm back from vacay... it's the mid length board I've been using for dodgy winter conditions. Been extremely happy with this board... carbon sandwich construction and a 3-year warranty.... not super light ~14lbs, but very strong and well built. I had a really bad crash and put my knee through the deck (also tore through the kneepad of my wetsuit) and my repair guy said it's just a really nicely built board. There's about 2ft of board length in front of my front foot... only a few inches longer than my Sky Style TE 75l

a few vids on my IG @sunsetailboards

Omen Flux? At 95-100kg and an average intermediate level, I'm using the 84l flux for 8+kn conditions (comfortable with a 10kn gust to get up with a 6.5m wing and a big foil).
With a +10l I'm sure you'll have no problem in light winds with a smaller wing and foil combo like BW does :-)

The skinny board is a fun upgrade!

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ChuckWagonPNW said..

BWalnut said..

ChuckWagonPNW said..
Looking for recommendations for narrow mid-length boards. I've narrowed it down to three, but can't decide, entering paralysis by analysis.

Me: 85kg dry, advanced intermediate, tack
and gybe with confidence. Current board is a Fanatic/Duotone sky wing te 105ltr. I like riding waves and sailing in a variety of conditions from 10-30knts usually on Puget Sound or in the Gorge. I'd like a one board quiver.

Sunova Carver 6'2" 95ltr 8 week lead time
Sab Torpedo 6'3" 100ltr 3 week lead time
Amos Sultan Wing 6'2" 95ltr 9 week lead time

All are around the same price shipped to the USA. I probably can't go wrong, there are a lot of great posts here and other spots on how good the Carver is, but not much on the Torpedo, other than a viral reel.

Thanks!

I'm on the 5'10" carver in the gorge and am ordering a 6'6"x18" aviator dw as my backup and lightwind option. You're welcome to come check out my carver if you're around.

Thanks, I might take you up on that.

How durable is the Vapor construction in your opinion? Has the deck pad grown on you?

I don't even notice the deck pad anymore. Perhaps it was a bit slick when new? Maybe I just learned my balance point on the board? It's not even on my radar anymore.

Still zero concerns with the vapor construction. I'll be riding Stevenson at 10am tomorrow and then hoping for a Rufus session later this week if the wind holds. I'll give it a solid look over to try and spot any issues that might have popped up, but that is something I also think is best evaluated after 50 sessions or so? If anything, I would expect the possibility of pressure dings, but I don't jump so it would probably come from the kneeling position at water starts if it did.

If it helps, I will be ordering my aviator in vapor and also thinking I am ordering a revolution in vapor. So, I'm fairly well sold on it. I am not hard on my gear other than the fact that I ride it a ton. Always bagged in transport and carefully handled when going in and out of the house/van. I'm the guy who would throw a blanket down in a gravel lot to rig his board on. I asked James Casey if vapor was a good idea and he said "Vapor for me. Take care of your board and it will take care of you."

I'm also in the market for this type of board...and going to wait for the release of the Apple Slice V3 next month...just hoping they go all the way in embracing longer and narrower, and not just adding a few inches in length and cutting the width by an inch or two. If that board doesn't appeal, then I'll get a Carver...

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foilfondler said..
Takoon ultra glide has waterproof foam which is nice. I like my 75L but they make bigger.

How does the weight of the Takoon compare to other brands? Are they noticeably heavier?

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kiwiupover said..
Omen Flux? At 95-100kg and an average intermediate level, I'm using the 84l flux for 8+kn conditions (comfortable with a 10kn gust to get up with a 6.5m wing and a big foil).
With a +10l I'm sure you'll have no problem in light winds with a smaller wing and foil combo like BW does :-)

The skinny board is a fun upgrade!

I thought about this, but one of my goals is to not use a 6.5m wing anymore. I emailed the Omen folks and asked if they were planning on making another size up and they said not any time soon. They havent had time with the current lineups popularity to design and test a 90+ltr version.

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ChuckWagonPNW said..

BWalnut said..
Here's the condition of the vapor board after 30ish hours on foil:

Some small scratches near the leash plug. These showed up pretty quick after getting the board. I thought it was something on my harness scratching but later discovered the set screw was a little proud/sharp and was scratching the deck and pad.

Scuff on nose. This was from hard handles jumping around and hitting it in 40 knots or so.

Pressure dents. There is a minor pressure dent on the deck where my front heel sits on both sides. I expect this on lighter builds and it doesn't bother me. Kind of like breaking in a glove. I can't feel them at all when riding, just when repeatedly running my hand over the board and trying to find something to complain about.

Thanks. Sounds like "normal" wear to me.

I think I am going to order it soon. 8 weeks, is a long time to wait...

It's going to be cool to see what other brands come out with in the coming months.

The time flys by and I was told 8-9 weeks and got it in 6. You're going to love it!

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laurenswing said..

BWalnut said..

ChuckWagonPNW said..

BWalnut said..
Here's the condition of the vapor board after 30ish hours on foil:

Some small scratches near the leash plug. These showed up pretty quick after getting the board. I thought it was something on my harness scratching but later discovered the set screw was a little proud/sharp and was scratching the deck and pad.

Scuff on nose. This was from hard handles jumping around and hitting it in 40 knots or so.

Pressure dents. There is a minor pressure dent on the deck where my front heel sits on both sides. I expect this on lighter builds and it doesn't bother me. Kind of like breaking in a glove. I can't feel them at all when riding, just when repeatedly running my hand over the board and trying to find something to complain about.

Thanks. Sounds like "normal" wear to me.

I think I am going to order it soon. 8 weeks, is a long time to wait...

It's going to be cool to see what other brands come out with in the coming months.

The time flys by and I was told 8-9 weeks and got it in 6. You're going to love it!

I ordered my Carver in November and I will receive it finally next month (Netherlands). So you were lucky with 6 weeks

??

wow that's a long wait! I wonder if it's because of your location? I ordered my Carver in mid November and had it at the end of December!

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BWalnut said..

laurenswing said..

BWalnut said..

ChuckWagonPNW said..

BWalnut said..
Here's the condition of the vapor board after 30ish hours on foil:

Some small scratches near the leash plug. These showed up pretty quick after getting the board. I thought it was something on my harness scratching but later discovered the set screw was a little proud/sharp and was scratching the deck and pad.

Scuff on nose. This was from hard handles jumping around and hitting it in 40 knots or so.

Pressure dents. There is a minor pressure dent on the deck where my front heel sits on both sides. I expect this on lighter builds and it doesn't bother me. Kind of like breaking in a glove. I can't feel them at all when riding, just when repeatedly running my hand over the board and trying to find something to complain about.

Thanks. Sounds like "normal" wear to me.

I think I am going to order it soon. 8 weeks, is a long time to wait...

It's going to be cool to see what other brands come out with in the coming months.

The time flys by and I was told 8-9 weeks and got it in 6. You're going to love it!

I ordered my Carver in November and I will receive it finally next month (Netherlands). So you were lucky with 6 weeks

??

wow that's a long wait! I wonder if it's because of your location? I ordered my Carver in mid November and had it at the end of December!

The distributor in Europe was forgotten to forward the order to the factory, so there was some delay. Transport to Europa is quite long, because of the problems in the Red Sea. But the board will arrive in Europe next week, so hopefully I will receive it soon