i need some advice
i'm tossing up between HS hypto krypto and Firewire sweet potato
i'm kind of a one-board surfer so looking for something that'll do it all
currently surfing mostly beach breaks 2-4 ft, with occasional reef mixed in for good measure
surfing ability: intermediate (ie. sucky 8-footers aint my thing)
weight: tipping the scales at 86kg
thoughts?
thanks
dubya

Have never surfed either of these boards so I can't really comment, but i've been digging the look of the hypto krypto as an all rounder board. If you read this Katana, any chance of shaping one similar to it? $920 from surftech seems a bit steep.

Ironically, guess who has shaped me a board after telling them I was after something like the hypto krypto To answer the poster, I would definately grab a hypto - like shape first rather than the sweet potato. It is much more of an all rounder and can hold itself in bigger waves (think pumping down south on a 5'8 - no chance naming my 'secret spots' ). That pin tail is the goods and the extra volume really helps you get into waves earlier. I find though that while adequate for smaller waves, it really comes to life when things get bigger (think OH).

To Bman, if you do go for it, you won't be disappointed. I got mine additionally as a quad and the speed you get off it, it just flies! Ironically, switched it over to a thruster and it held much better in the bigger stuff (good if you weren't after the speed but getting the turns going). Dave at Katana really looked after me and the crew there are great people. I will be seeing him again definately for my next board!

Check out footage on YouTube of Craig Anderson at 8ft Gland on his Hypto Krypto
Love to try one
Tried the potato as a demo and didn't like it
Only set up as quad and slid out as soon as waves had a bit of power

Hi Weisford, the Sweet Potato is a good board but is definitely not a 1 board quiver. The Hypto would be a better bet.

After a few years of surfing numerous styles of these production type boards, I am now having more success talking to my local shaper, telling him how and what conditions I want to surf and letting him give me what he thinks is best. It is way cheaper as the boards cost less and I end up with something that is suited to me rather than what I think the reviews say should be suited to me.

Cheers

I surfed a hypto recently coz I loved the look of it and had visions of surfing like craig ando at deserts. Only problem was instead of surfing like ando I surfed like wilbur kookamyre (well,...even more than I normally do haha).

I found it to be one of the most frustrating boards I have ever ridden.
I rode the 6 foot version epoxy so maybe it was too big for me. It felt like a cork.

I found that although it had lots of volume it had almost no paddle speed, that is it wouldn't get up and plane, but was more like an anchor, just like a cork.

Would be interesting to surf a PU version to see if the corky problem would go away.

It has made me very dubious of investing in another epoxy board. But I must say Katana's Scud version does look very nice. Might have to try the demo version to see how I go.

^^^Entry concave is the key Sam, not PU.

How big are you swalko? According to the stats the 6'0" HK is pretty high volumed. It should've bobbed like a cork unless you're a fat bastard (no offence).

I had an epoxy/EPS board that paddled like ****. It was damn fun to surf though. Like (I imagine) a skimboard. A bit undervolumed at 1 3/4" thick. Didn't last long before I snapped it. It was about 1/2" thick at the nose, where it snapped.

I've got a few epoxy/EPS boards. You're welcome to try one if we ever happen to be at the same beach. They go alright for me. Last couple a different philosophy to the HK or katana's take on it.

That last one of yours is sick Legion, how about putting up the link to J's facebook pics of it?

The sweet potato is not a one board quiver - quiet the opposite. It's a board that you always want in the car but if it's over head and bumpy it's a nightmare....below that it will blow yr mind

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TimKay said...
Check out footage on YouTube of Craig Anderson at 8ft Gland on his Hypto Krypto
Love to try one
Tried the potato as a demo and didn't like it
Only set up as quad and slid out as soon as waves had a bit of power

Thats an epic video, I was pretty surprised when I saw him walking out on the reef with that short stumpy board...Was considering the Hypto last March, but in the end went with a 6' epoxy Firewire Hellfire & its definately the best board I've ever ridden. Paddles into waves no worries : )

should have the new website up soon with pics on all favourite models there is the the most popular skud very simillar to the HK and will hold in at least till double head.the next model step up is the go2 which has a better big wave hold but will still surf well in waist high mush and paddles in almost as good as the skud.

Mate has a 5'6" Hypto (70kg) as a one board quiver. He loves it.

^^ What fin system are you using?

Lokbox

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Legion said...
Lokbox

Do you think they are better than FCS?

Much. However, fin and box availability is an issue.

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Legion said...
How big are you swalko? According to the stats the 6'0" HK is pretty high volumed. It should've bobbed like a cork unless you're a fat bastard (no offence).

I had an epoxy/EPS board that paddled like ****. It was damn fun to surf though. Like (I imagine) a skimboard. A bit undervolumed at 1 3/4" thick. Didn't last long before I snapped it. It was about 1/2" thick at the nose, where it snapped.

I've got a few epoxy/EPS boards. You're welcome to try one if we ever happen to be at the same beach. They go alright for me. Last couple a different philosophy to the HK or katana's take on it.

I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and weigh 93kg. So yes a fat bastard haha :-)
The 6' hypto definantly had to much volume for me. I just couldn't get it to work.
I think I have realised I like a bit of length to my shooters with a lower volume and nice thin rails. You get more glide with boards like r
Thanks for the offer to try some boards - just might take you up on that if you are ever down in SH.

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[bI think I have realised I like a bit of length to my shooters with a lower volume and nice thin rails. You get more glide with boards like r

Thats an interesting comment as I thought I was a bit weird after lots of experimentation not liking the trend of shorter wider, thicker boards. I have a 6'6 and a 7'6 which are the same volume and I prefer the longer board in both small and larger waves.

A mate of mine has just picked up a Potatonator and is raving about it.

The website blurb says it's only good for small stuff but he has had it out in overhead surf and says it surfs great. Worth thinking about.