Has anyone bought or ridden one - if so how does it compare with the C series 9.8 in regards to weight or otherwise ?

The reason I am seeking feedback is that I have been surfing a borrowed 9.8 c-series a fair bit recently and my mate has fallen in love with this board - as have I - and he has actually ordered one which is due to arrive any day now (thanks santa) but I am curious as to how different the pro cork version of this board is to justify the extra $. I find it difficult to imagine that the c-series 9.8 could possibly be any better but would love to be proven wrong.

ive got the 9.8 hybrid which is the wood laminate deck. Its pretty heavy but absolutely gorgeous looking. According to the web site its exactly the same dimensions as the pro. I would hazard that the only difference between the pro, hybrid and c series is the construction method. i assume the pro would be slightly lighter. If your happy with the weight of your current 9.8 i cant see any reason to spend the extra and go for the pro. All the 9.8 cabrihnas are the same dimensions so its only construction method and weight that will alter.

Yeah mate agree. The c-series and hybrid are exactly the same construction and only differ in cosmetics but would love to try a pro to see if there is any noticable difference with the cork laminate.

talked to the distributor in myaree regarding the cork 9.8. he showed me the 9.2 pro as he doesnt yet have a 9.8 in stock. Very different build to the hybrid and c. Very thin coat of laminate over the cork core. they have a clear patch so you can see just how thin the lay up is over the cork. Maybe fractionally lighter than the c, the hybrid is the heaviest. What it does have is more flex than the other two. The aim is to make a sup feel like a short board, interesting idea but not convinced yet. He'll be getting a 9.8 pro in the next 2 weeks. When it arrives ill see if hell let me take it out to compare against my hybrid. i think if you are a really accomplished rider you might notice the difference, with my marginal skills i just cant see it.

Hi to everybody from Spain! (few miles away from you).
I´m very interested about this topic. Thinking about changing my old board for a Cabrinha 9.8 and I´m not sure what finish to choose (pro, hybrid or C).
Here, we have no possibility of testing all of them (are not very popular) and that´s why I´m following with a very big interest all your opinions and information.
I´ll wait for the test of the 9.8 pro if you´re so kind to write about.
Thanks a lot

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Franja said...

Hi to everybody from Spain! (few miles away from you).
I´m very interested about this topic. Thinking about changing my old board for a Cabrinha 9.8 and I´m not sure what finish to choose (pro, hybrid or C).
Here, we have no possibility of testing all of them (are not very popular) and that´s why I´m following with a very big interest all your opinions and information.
I´ll wait for the test of the 9.8 pro if you´re so kind to write about.
Thanks a lot

Hi and welcome.
Not sure if you are aware, but the c-series and the hybrid are EXACTLY the same construction. The only differences are the deck pad and the fact that the wood is exposed and glossed on the hybrid where it is painted over on the c-series.
My mate (boofy on the breeze) and I have surfed the 9.8 c-series at our usual break, which is a fairly mellow and consistent beachy - in surf up to maybe 3ft. I am 70kg and boofy about 90kg and the board seems to work beautifully for both of us and it really is a board that is easy to surf well. Over christmas we will be spending a lot more time on both the 9.8 and the 10.2 so will post a bit of a review on both in a few weeks.

Hi.
Yes foxup, I´m aware about the no difference between Hyb and C but I have the same curiosity than you about the difference between these and the Pro.
I don´t know if the added flex that the kork provides, make it sweeter in the waves or not and also if it´s like sameh says that it´s so hard to find the difference.
I´ve seen some images and videos about the incredible flexibility of the kiteboards with kork but don´t know if it would be the same in the SUP´s.
Any way, I´m not hurry. Now it´s winter here, the water is about 13ºC (will be worst in january) and these days the sea is a little angered and seems to want to go out of the beach so I´ll wait to get more information before to decide.
Thanks

The 9.8 pro has arrived. will take it out next week and se how it goes. unfortunately the surf forecast is 6 inches over the weekend. have also grabbed the 10.8 cabrinha hybrid to see how it goes. will write up a review if and when we get some swell.

Hi! Happy new year.
Something new about the 9.8 pro?
Did you try on waves?
Best regards