Hi all

Used search but aside from a bit of speculation can't see anyone commenting on what they think of the Evo

I'm currently on a 6' vanguard which I have loved but feel like trying something else - any comparison / thoughts on improvements /drawbacks would be great

Unreal. Love mine. Not the strongest of materials compared to FST but a lovely piece of machinery. They paddle easy - most people say if you are undecided between 2 sizes take the smaller one. I agree with this. Can not give you a comparison re the Vader as I have only ridden my Vader a couple of times in crap waves. Have only surfed the Evo in good waves. Should be able to give you more of an idea later in the week when both boards have had a bit more ride time. My Vader was made for bigger stuff so will not be a like for like comparison.

Cheers ted
Yeah shame it doesn't come in FST as I found the extra strength a massive benefit!
What have you noticed in terms of construction, is it just more golf-balling to the deck or are you noticing something more serious?

It's fine. Took a bump on latest plane ride but holding up well. I just like the FST construction

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Ted the Kiwi said..
It's fine. Took a bump on latest plane ride but holding up well. I just like the FST construction

I have found all my FST boards are holding up amazing. Im gentle on my gear and don't surf silly waves, but they are in and out of the car and door ways often. The new model seems lighter and the dealers i spoke to all said that, but i guess whats the choice..

I even have a Rapid fire Sweet Potato and that is not in bad shape either TBH.

I cant wait for my EVO to arrive, i don't like waiting for things

i have a chance to buy a cheap nano...it's 6'2 though. im starting to think its gonna be way to big,even though my standard shorty is the same,and im used to riding bigger boards. any thoughts peopel

far too big for you bro. Probably get away with a 5'10.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
far too big for you bro. Probably get away with a 5'10.

thanks mate

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chrispy said..

Ted the Kiwi said..
far too big for you bro. Probably get away with a 5'10.

thanks mate

Crispy have a look here..

$550 for a new Nano

www.naturalnecessity.com.au/collections/surfboards/firewire

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jbshack said..

chrispy said..

Ted the Kiwi said..
far too big for you bro. Probably get away with a 5'10.

thanks mate

Crispy have a look here..

$550 for a new Nano

www.naturalnecessity.com.au/collections/surfboards/firewire

i think that was a click bait jb...thanks for trying though.

Only if you are bigger than someone who rides a real small one The 4'10" & 5'0 are that price. For the kiddies !

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Ted the Kiwi said..
Only if you are bigger than someone who rides a real small one The 4'10" & 5'0 are that price. For the kiddies !

I Never clicked on it, but if you do those two sizes are $385. Id be asking what the story if though as they say $550 but don't show that price..

I was seriously deciding on getting a smaller SP at those prices also..

Sorry

Edit: at least it means i can ask a bit more for my second hand Vanguard..

So Ted.............................without putting you under the pump mate, what's your opinion on the EVO ? is it comparable with the Nano ? Just tossing up between the two and your the only person the I know (vicariously) who's ridden both. BTW what size is your ride ?

5'11 eco AG 6"2 Nano. Both over sized. Could go smaller on both. Easily. The Nano has much better construction as it was FST. It was a really solid performer in anything from knead high to 1.5 o/h at 2 times o/h it handed things well but you never really felt safe on it. Ridden the Evo 8 times the last 3 days in conditions from clean smooth head high to bumphy cross off shore withb a few a bit bigger and some 1.5 o/h perfect conditions. The Evo seems to have a lot more go in it performance wise - very quick from A to B - amazed me at the sections I have made on it. It feels weird though at times. Lovely board off the top - and long smooth bottoms turns. You can really jam it on a cutie with heaps of confidence but I find it does not ride the whitewater as well as the Nano when you rebounding off it. It doesn't Feel like the rail holds the line as well when it's super hollow. Maybe the lightness. But on your backhand and grad the rail it is fine. Been riding it as a quad the last few days but will shift back to my fav thruster set up Tom and give it a whirl. Always prefer the ,nano as a ,3 fin. All in all I think the Nano is more of an all rounder and the Evo suits it 1.5 and below. But would rather be on the Evo. It is a ripper of a board. An excitement machine. Just need to get you head around taking off on a shortie when it's 2 times over head. Treat it like a snowboard and there are no drama. Lots of weight on the front foot and it works effortlessly. I would think it sits in the middle of the Nano and SP but with a hell of a lot more speed. It really is a rocket ship. When you extend out of your turns you are flying. Has heaps of bite. I think it's a fantastic board. If I lived in Oz I would probably ride it 90% of the time. If you are light weight and a reasonable surfed go the Evo. If you need a bit more stability the Nano is great. You really need to keep the Evo working from rail to rail. Then it absolutely flies and you think you are someone much better than you are anyway just been riding it briefly compared to the Nano which I would claim as the best board I have ever owned. But the Evo feels like it's better. Few more days as a 3 fin might tell a diff story. For now though stoked on it. When it's windy the Nano wins. When it's silky smooth the Evo kicks it's butt 10 fold.

I know this is a poor comparison bit check out how much speed this guy gets when he comes off the bottom in the second clip. These style of shapes just rocket out of the turn. Bit of leg extension and you are flying.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Minion-Soloshot/?page=-2#lastpost

You need to keep them moving though rail to rail to benefit from the design. This bloke is riding a sub 8 666 like a mini mal with no use of his paddle or upper body positioning to enhance his turns and he gets a whole lot of drive out of those bottom turns. That's what the Evo does but a lot more souped up. You just rocket past sections of need be or just jam it for some They go great. But the Evo is significantly shorter than this board so you can use that speed to put you in all kinds of positions on the wave that the 666 can only dream off.

Cheers Ted. Best review on both boards that I have seen to date. It's pretty hard for the average punter to evaluate these new shapes against the more "traditional" shapes without having to fork out some hard earnt first. Very much appreciated mate

After a few more sessions on the Evo it's clear the Nano wins in marginal conditions. The Evo definitely needs a it of push to get going. But once it is there is no comparison. My definition of marginal may differ greatly to yours though

Hey Ted which fin set or sets did you settle on with the Nano , curious as I have the 6'2 as well and wouldn't mind knowing what someone else has had success with.

AM2's - thruster set up after surfing mainly quad set ups the previous 4 years. Anything with some rake in it was the go and a bit of flex in the tips. I hate fins that are too stiff when it's smaller.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
AM2's - thruster set up after surfing mainly quad set ups the previous 4 years. Anything with some rake in it was the go and a bit of flex in the tips. I hate fins that are too stiff when it's smaller.

Merrick template is the only way to go in any of Dan's boards.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
5'11 eco AG 6"2 Nano. Both over sized. Could go smaller on both. Easily. The Nano has much better construction as it was FST. It was a really solid performer in anything from knead high to 1.5 o/h at 2 times o/h it handed things well but you never really felt safe on it. Ridden the Evo 8 times the last 3 days in conditions from clean smooth head high to bumphy cross off shore withb a few a bit bigger and some 1.5 o/h perfect conditions. The Evo seems to have a lot more go in it performance wise - very quick from A to B - amazed me at the sections I have made on it. It feels weird though at times. Lovely board off the top - and long smooth bottoms turns. You can really jam it on a cutie with heaps of confidence but I find it does not ride the whitewater as well as the Nano when you rebounding off it. It doesn't Feel like the rail holds the line as well when it's super hollow. Maybe the lightness. But on your backhand and grad the rail it is fine. Been riding it as a quad the last few days but will shift back to my fav thruster set up Tom and give it a whirl. Always prefer the ,nano as a ,3 fin. All in all I think the Nano is more of an all rounder and the Evo suits it 1.5 and below. But would rather be on the Evo. It is a ripper of a board. An excitement machine. Just need to get you head around taking off on a shortie when it's 2 times over head. Treat it like a snowboard and there are no drama. Lots of weight on the front foot and it works effortlessly. I would think it sits in the middle of the Nano and SP but with a hell of a lot more speed. It really is a rocket ship. When you extend out of your turns you are flying. Has heaps of bite. I think it's a fantastic board. If I lived in Oz I would probably ride it 90% of the time. If you are light weight and a reasonable surfed go the Evo. If you need a bit more stability the Nano is great. You really need to keep the Evo working from rail to rail. Then it absolutely flies and you think you are someone much better than you are anyway just been riding it briefly compared to the Nano which I would claim as the best board I have ever owned. But the Evo feels like it's better. Few more days as a 3 fin might tell a diff story. For now though stoked on it. When it's windy the Nano wins. When it's silky smooth the Evo kicks it's butt 10 fold.

Good Review Ted!

You still wanting to sell your vanguard JB?

What you asking for it?

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jayet said..
You still wanting to sell your vanguard JB?

What you asking for it?

Yeah i chucked it up on Gumtree for $600 (as i wasn't really working that hard to sell it) but i was going to drop it when got around to it. Id let it go on here for $500 , i was kinda hoping to magically drop 6 kilos

But i have bought a Evo now, just need some decent surf to try it out

I'm broke at the moment but might be interested in a week or two. Remind me what size were you surfing?

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jayet said..
I'm broke at the moment but might be interested in a week or two. Remind me what size were you surfing?

Its a 510 about 35.7 litre. I just put the add on SB buy and sell. Its not loaded yet though. Any questions feel free to text or call me..