Timsups said..
Creek...
I'm considering replacing my 8'5 Speeed with a Placid. I'm Not using the Speeed as much as I should and thinking a new board could be "inspirational"????!
I'm currently weighing 215 lb+\- and the Speeed floats me, although with some effort. ( I'm not sure about with a wetsuit in this winter) ....The choice is between the 8'3 and 8'7 Placid. The 8'3 rivals the Speeed in volume but not sure about stability or paddle ease. The 8'7 has plenty of volume but I'm concerned about it's width and how that will impact performance when compared to my narrower Speeed or the 8'3 Placid. Obviously, no opportunity to demo either board so I would love your input. What do you think???

Ps... you can email
Me direct at Timellispv@gmail.com

Hi Tim
Great talking to you this morning!

After our conversation, I have done my usual "visual" comparisons, so I could wrap my head around the choices a little better.
Since you are going to grab a few sessions on your 8'5 Speeed, to re-acquaint yourself with the overall stability:

afterwards, take a look at these comps.... I may reconsider my advice and say:
If you really want to get snappy, Yes... you could go for the 8'3 Placid, since these comps gave me more confidence in that choice.

Not sure if it's necessary for a guy your height and age to go that short...
but if you can handle the 8'5 Speeed, the 8'3 Placid should be noticeably easier.

I compared the two boards 3 different ways
Same size
8'5 vs 8'7
8'5 vs 8'3

on the right side, I layed the board over the other to compare width and rail lines
It clearly shows where the boards differ
and how the Placid will compare to the Speeed at different sizes

Click the pics to enlarge so you can clearly see the overlays


Head to head at same size:



8'7 Placid vs 8'5 Speeed




8'3 Placid vs 8'5 Speeed

Creek. Great analysis .
When it's clean I take out the 711 Speed . I can't imagine riding a Placid of less length . The Speeed does give you that extra bit of paddle power .
Maybe at the larger end of the scale it is different .
For eg I have a 7'7 Flow and I can tell you it is a nightmare for me in terms of stability in comparison to 711 Speeed . I can only use my Flow in smallish clean conditions and not in winter . It's great once on the wave if I don't manage to fall in just as I am paddling onto the wave . The Speeed 711 on other hand is so stable in comparison and with additional
paddle power due to the outline

Berg833 said..
Hi everyone,

I am new on this forum and learning about wavesups. I now own a gong 8.6 and doing well. I am looking into the placid 8,3 , but what I read is that it is not fast. Has it something to do with the weight ? Or is it the tailkick. How should it be compared to an JL super Frank ir a smik hipster in the same size. Any experience or theories?

Thanks in advance
Ewoud

Welcome to the forum!

I have tried lots of boards over the past five years, and all I can say is that sups are full of compromises and you have to decide what is most important to you. If you want maneuverability and stability you have to sacrifice speed (and tracking). If the waves are big enough, and not too fat, then that sacrifice is not an issue. You get plenty of speed thanks to the wave size, and then the rocker and width allow you to have fun.

If speed is important because you are in small waves, or it is difficult to get on to the waves (very big or very fat), then you need length and straighter lines. That does not mean you can't have fun, just not as much (if you lust after maneuverability).

I am 6'3"/193 cm and 100 kg and the 8'7 placid is stable enough. Every other board I own (20 of them) - that still float me - are longer and faster but less fun, or shorter and either too unstable or even slower.

Berg833 said..
Hi everyone,

I am new on this forum and learning about wavesups. I now own a gong 8.6 and doing well. I am looking into the placid 8,3 , but what I read is that it is not fast. Has it something to do with the weight ? Or is it the tailkick. How should it be compared to an JL super Frank ir a smik hipster in the same size. Any experience or theories?

Thanks in advance
Ewoud

I've had a few sunova's and recently got a Jimmy Lewis super Frank and it's been my favourite board. You might want to try the new destroyer as well. I've heard good things.

Hi Berg833 ,
yes the 8,3 will be more on the tippy side , but you will get a more throw around board ,but loose more wave catch ,I'm 93 kg and the 125 litres 8'7 is good for me .

sunova has great construction ...and designed and tested by pro riders ..you will get a good board buying a sunova

tough to decide hey .

grumpycat said..
Have the 8,3 and been running it quad, awesome board super versatile. Definitely a keeper

hi Grumpycat,

Can you tell me more about the 8,3. What is the weight and wat waves does it like, and may be if not to much what is your weight
Thanks in advance
Regards
Ewoud

@ Creek:
When you do your stability tests, is it on sweet or salty water?
Yesterday i did this with my current 130 liter labelled board on mirrorflat sweet water. Me in dry shorts plus paddle plus board, estimated total weight of 91 +3+10 = 104 kg.
Only the first 20cm of the nose stuck out of the water , my feet got wet with the deck being slightly under the water surface.
i can't imagine that the small piece of nose outside the water carries 26 litres of volume?
Maybe my boards 130 litres are different to the 125 litres of the Placid 8'7 ?
I still haven't got my Placid.

Alex

You definitely sit higher in the water on the 8'11 than me on my 130 liter board, despite you being 20kg more muscular, but ok I was in sweat water. On saltwater I'd estimate that my board sits in the water like you on the pic, but my board should be 15 litres more buoyant.
There really seem to be some differences how the manufacturers get their volumes.

After days of long sessions, my knees were weak and tired yesterday for another 3 hour bout.

I was struggling on a 150 l board, so I swapped out for the 135 liter Placid (8'10)
I weighed in before the session at a CoVid whopping 110.7 kg ... so 1.2 w/v

The Placid was easier than the higher volume board and really fun!

Thanks Tardy... but it was the standing around, that was harder on the board with more volume.
It wasn't corky at all... but the Placid just sits down in the water so nicely, that it smooths out the wobbles and I get to relax between waves.

The wider nose of the Placid makes paddling in easier for me as well.
I tend to sink pointy nose boards as I drive my weight forward to catch a wave, so the fuller nose of the Placid saves me from myself.

I do like the way the Placid surfs off the tail... but that day, I was just so worn down from many days of swell, that I surfed like crap.... and stayed too centered on the board.

I had loaned out my "easy board" (Kanga) to a young "surfer turned SUPster" during shark season.... so I had to man up on a smaller board for that session.... I just wish I had been stronger for those waves!

My 8'10 Placid has earned a prominent slot in my van's "Active Rack".... I am totally loving this board!

I should have a Placid video soon.

I Have not tried the rear plugs on the side bits ,but always thought they where for a twin ..I got a small rear and 10 fronts with my placid i should try it ,but I am quite happy with the quad set up