Im looking at buying a performance short board and am a big guy 6ft 3 95-98KG. I currently ride an 8'10 Starboard wide point which I will keep and can ride it in pretty much any conditions very choppy etc. I have been testing a few boards and am finding it hard as all brand stated volumes seem to be different. I have tried a 9'5 Hokua and found it very similar in stability to the wide point, a 8'5 Hokua which was a joke and never going to happen and an 8'10 Fanatic pro wave which I managed with some success but as a perfect day board would be able to handle. I was hoping someone had some experience with the 8'10 fanatic and 9' Hokua and could tell me if they are similar in stability? If I go on volume alone the Hokua should be floatier/more stable.

Hi I own a 8,10 wp and fanatic prowave 9,2, didnt try any dedicated wave board smaller than this, want to hear opinions because I would like to go smaller but i dont know it really worth to me, Im very happy with the prowave-widepoint combo, but you Know always want to try new things hehe

Im pretty much the same size as you, 6'2" 100+kg. I haven't tried a Fanatic, but I do own a 9' Hokua. My all conditions board is a 9'10 Hokua & I bought the 9' for clean conditions & as a challenge. It is def a challenge in the line up, especially if there's any wind or chop. But on a wave it's awesome! I'm getting better stability wise with every surf. It can be frustrating though. But all that disapears when you drop in to a nice wave.

Thanks for the replies, thats what I wanted to hear Zeusman. I went ahead last night and committed to the Hokua 9. Looking forward to that sweet wave riding feeling. It is amazing how quick you learn to deal with each board 3mnths ago the wide point was a real challenge.

Hi Ballaboy,

There seems to be some confusion about the relationship between stability and volume. Volume is not necessarily going to give stability. It depends more on width, rail shape, tail shape and the distribution of the volume along the outline.

The major contributor for stability is width and then how far the width and thickness of the width is carried for and aft of the widest point.

Tail shape also assists in turning and to a lesser extent stability in surfboards, but has a more profound effect in raceboards regarding stability.

Having said all that, it comes back to the old motto "Demo, Demo, Demo" to try and find what you really like.

DM