JP- Australia. 7`4 X 27 vs 8`0 x 27

Hey,
Have any of you tried both the 7`4 X 27 and the 8`0 x 27 JP surf? I must decide which board to buy and would therefor like to know if you think the 7`4 is much harder to balance on than the 8`0. I have tried them both but not in the same surf session. My impression is that the boards are almost the same balance-wise, because the 7`4 has a wider nose. But what is your experience? Thanks a lot for your help!
I weigh 74 kg. and right now I ride the 8`2 Jp surf and I would keep the 8??2 for the windy and choppy days.

Cheers,
Boris.

Hi,

I have both the 7'4 and 8'0 and have used them often in the same conditions. I weigh 70kg

The difference between the two is noticeable both in performance and ease of use.

What I tend to do if I am feeling lazy, or there is 15knts + of wind, or the wave size is getting solid I use the 8'0

Otherwise I prefer the 7'4, it is a bit more fun on the wave but I do get tired more quickly and I have to concentrate all the time.

If I could only have one, don't know which one I would keep, probably the 8'0 as it still has the ability to perform way above my ability and it is a easier board to use.

I think the only way you will know for sure is if you can demo a 7'4 and take it out on a really windy choppy day with some current moving around. if you are still enjoying it after a hour.... thats the one for you.

No real point going from the 8-2 to the 8-0. So lets focus on the 7-6 or 7-4 if you can surf the 8-0 you can surf the 7-6 or 7-4 but it's like what Barry says you need to work harder. Geoff Breen & Keahi de Aboitz both ride the 7-4 and are well into the 80kg club and Geoff is 6-3. Both these guys are pro riders but I have seen them ride these boards in 20+ knots of windy 8 foot surf and rip it up , so it is possible you just need to work harder.

The way JP does their performance boards is in groups (8-10 > 8-6) then (8-2 > 8-0) then (7-6 >7-4) dropping within those brackets gives you a similar board in the next size down BUT if you change groups there is big changes in design , performance , volume & weight , that's why I said above no point in dropping from the 8-2 to the 8-0. If you are going to drop down go to the next group down , you will get a better performance board. I ride the 8-6 and 8-2 and at 93kg's I really notice the difference on the 8-2 it's hard work but the performance and speed of the 8-2 surf circles around the 8-6. If you feel the 7-4 is just a bit too small look at the 7-6 same design and performance with just that bit more foam.

The 7-4's is definitely the pick for all the pros but don't get sucked into that if you struggle to paddle it , no point in going surfing if you can't catch waves but by the sounds of things the 7-4 is for you. I hope that helps good luck and keep me posted on how you went.

Hey Boris the 7-6 is available in Australia so it is in production.

That`s funny, JP in Denmark can`t see that the 7`6 even exist.
From what Geoff writes (se below) is sounds like the 7??4 is a nicer board. - Unless of course they have changed the shape on the 7`6 that he rode on so that it feels more like the 7`4?

Hey Cam, I've been ridding a 7'6 x 27 on the side. Having a smaller board definitely opens up a lot more possibilities but honestly I still ride my 8'0 80% of the time. For me it felt once I went to small I lost a lot of drive, maybe it has something small to do with the shape but it is still nice to ride when the waves have a bit more punch and you don't have to work your speed up. unfortunately Noosa is gutless for about 360 days a year! saying all that Keahi got a 7'4 x 27 made with a v bottom and wasn't that much different outline to my 7'6 and it was the complete opposite to ride, super Fast and flowy. hope that helps

Cheers
Boris