![]() ![]() Join our team and live in one of the best locations for wind and surf in the world.I think you would be happy with either a blender or DD, depending on exactly where you want it to fit in your quiver. Also they were in Thunderbolt Black construction which is more expensive and not what I wanted at this time A great looking board but not what I was after. To me the blender seemed a bit more High performance, much thinner rails, with lower apex. I’ve not ridden the Blender - was on the fence between that and the DD. I like the outline, not too wide a nose 17.5 I think good outline curve ( all of these are thunderbolt red construction) Set up as a tri with Harley Ingleby fins it turns great! I’ve not tried it as a quad yet, maybe tomorrow. The Diamond drive is more of a good all round longboard, paddles and catches waves really well. Fast and glides great higher volume 78 liters if I recall. I have a 9’3 parallax, it’s a really great paddler, fast and turns really well.It is kind of like a cross between a hull and a glider - it has no concave, just a rolled bottom, hard edge in tail. These have good drive, feel alive and are tough Never been big on EPS boards before except for a Proctor epoxy longboard that was great. I am sold on the construction, they are lighter, and feel good in the water. I’ve got a couple thunderbolt boards including a 9’2” Diamond Drive. I also have my eye on a Firewire Wingnut Noserider, but not confident of the Timbertek construction… bajoman Surfer Posts: 54 Likes: 0 post Liked in: 0 post Joined: Fri 4:10 pm So, will I like a Thunderbolt Diamond Drive, Gem or Blender or am I barking up the wrong trees? I also tried a Walden Magic poly and did not like it at all! Even with the volume and squash tail a very slow paddler, I’m assuming from its kick in the tail (?). Didn’t seem as good in small or weak or mushy waves either. Rounded pins I’ve ridden (Surftech Takayama DT-2 and an epoxy-glassed McTavish Fireball) feel really smooth on turns, but paddle and ride slower (because of the pin tail?). Flip in the tail makes it a little slower and it’s handling/turning as a single fin is kind of boat-y. I’ve spent a lot of time on vacation on the Robert August What I Ride- also paddles well, catches anything, has decent glide and nose rides. And I don’t think I would enjoy the big wide nose as much in the messy windchop that is common at my local breaks. With the really pulled in tail it seems a little slower on the wave than I like. Takayama In the Pink (Surftech) is probably my favorite rental board- paddles great, catches anything, glides and noserides really well. They are a little chattery but the right fin can really calm them down nicely and I don’t mind the stiff flex. I like the float, liveliness and light weight of epoxy, even the old Surftechs. I’ve only ridden a handful of other longboards (rentals in Costa Rica) but here’s my impressions- correct me if I’m off base on anything: I like an all-arounder (performance and some nose-riding), a fast board on the wave (that can create its own speed), fast paddler, lots of glide and definitely prefer the feel of single fin. And all the reviews I’ve watched have them set-up 2+1. Except for the Diamond Drive volumes are a little on the low side. Rocker lines also look similar- flip nose, flat in the middle, kick in the tail. SkinDog Blender (9’1 x 22.25 x 2.875) 62LĪll seem to have roughly the same outline with either a diamond tail or rounded pin (Blender). Harley Ingelby Diamond Drive (9’2 x 22.5 x 3) 69L How does this category of longboards fit? I like the looks of the Thunderbolt tech boards under Firewire but I am not sure if the models I’m considering will suit my preferences. Surf US East Coast beach breaks (often small, weaker windswell, except for hurricane season!) Squash tail, concave under the nose, double concave at the fins, hard edge on the rail in the back. I’ve been riding an epoxy glassed “Nature’s Shapes HP1 longboard” out of Long Island, NY (9 x 22.75 x 2.75) and have really liked the shape but not happy with the glassing and durability (and it’s my second board from them). I want to make sure I'm happy after I drop the big $$$! It’s been awhile but it’s almost time to invest in a new board and could use some expert opinions again and some peer review of my data. ![]()
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