Hi ,anyone got any experience with both boards and how they compare stability wise ? and also performance wise . been enjoying the 8'10 for a year+ , and wondering if the 8'5 is a step-up ? , volume figures are same I think 115ltrs .... cheers
You should also check out the 7'8" Hokua.. I little shorter and a little wider and I've heard people say it's better than the 8'5" and just as stable.
DJ
8'5 offers more performance as in looser and tighter turns at the expense of being somewhat more unstable. The 7'8 is similar stability to 8'5 and and very loose but not as drivey and will cork on bigger faster waves due to extra width. None are really better or worse than the other - they are just different.....at least they all do what they were promised to do.....
What type of waves are you surfing and what do you want out of the board?
Generally if your surfing waver shoulder high or above I'd go the 8'5", if your riding smaller mushy stuff a lot of the time and you just ant to get a few loose turns in but not really surf with a whole lot of power the 7'8" is wicked. However keep in mind the 7'8" is now a 7'6"
Marcel
cheers for all the advice .... hadnt really considered sub 8ft boards as the only one I tried had zero glide catching waves .... I sup a mixture of 'fastish' waves reef , but also some clean softer fatter faces (on which something like the 7'8 could be killer??) , but not really beach breaks much .....
I will keep the 8'10 in my quiver . I was basically looking tighter 'less resistance' in carves than my 8'10 (it pivots turns pretty quick , but want a tighter quicker carve) .Reading the stability feedback of the 8'5 (ie less stable) , it would re-position in my quiver for smaller (less than head & half) super glassy conditions . I like bit of stability when it gets bit bigger , and my 8'10 can even feel pretty tippy when bigger and choppy or offshores . So , bearing in mind where it would sit - the 7'8 's etc could give it competition ..... but then ive read alot of negative stuff about super small boards - so maybe I should just stick to the 1 board quiver Ive already got ???!!! cheers
Hey seabreezer I used to own a 2011 Hokua 7'8 (105L) and as everyone says it is a very fun little board in powerful beach break conditions with steep late takeoffs. The 7'8 has absolutely no glide to get on to fatter waves and is painfully slow on fuller waves, tending to bog down and stall. Think of it as a shortboard - if the spots you usually surf are a hangout for shortboarders and bodyboarders then it will rip!
On the positive side it is stable for its size and would definitely put a smile on your face if you are in for a challenge.
cheers standuper - thought the extra midwidth of a 7'8 might add bit of extra lift on slower sections - but from what your saying - just drag !
Quick question - to someone whose tried both, presuming 8'5 has way more glide than the 7'8 ?
