Title gets at the basic question…
I’ve demoed a number midlengths in the gorge earlier this year, including the Armie MkII Mid and Hydrocraft ATV and Wingman boards…coming from a 72L Omen Flux V1 for my 64kg intermediate winging self. I’ll be back in the gorge soon and when I get there I’m looking to get a new board. I’ve been a big fan of Appletree construction, but after hopping on a 55L Armie MkII, I want to go not only smaller but lighter (it was the first time I felt even vaguely efficient at pumping in my life and appreciated the whole swing weight issue).
Durability is a consideration for me, and I’m not sure what to make of all the claims by KT and Armie in their construction (in the shop KT pro carbons feel more fragile to me, but ???). I really like what Hydrocraft is up to, and I think the Equalizer should be spot on design wise, having been on the ATV and Wingman…less fancy construction than KT and Armie, but a less fancy price too (not the biggest issue for me right now).
The final consideration is volume…55L felt too small for me at this time…it felt really awkward getting to my knees in big swell, and then was more work getting on foil when the wind dropped…As a one board quiver, I’d like some margin of safety and ease on this front…the 63L Wingman felt the best over the 65L ATV…so wondering about the KT 58L vs the 65L options from Armie and Hydrocraft (I don’t think a 58L strapless Arc is available for demo that I’m aware of…how much difference will 3 liters make over a 55 for a 64kg rider???)…
That is my gear issue of the day while I’m counting the days until I’m back on the water…thx…