im riding amos raptor 4’4" x 18.5 30l and kruzer 5’0 x 17.75 36l
have limited time so far on the kruzer, but im loving it, only a slight difference in pumpability that i have noticed. gets into waves easier & earlier
They’re definitely out here. Not dime a dozen like Amundson, but it’s not unusual to see guys on Oahu with an Amos. Same frequency on selling. They’re here, but less often.
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I thought this is a great topic as I have ridden a bunch of different shapes/sizes of prone specific boards. I always seem to land in the 4’4 range though I think it also has a lot to do with where volume is located more than length itself. Currently I have been loving the Uni Disco Butter in 27 Liter and 32 liter. Both are 4’4 but the 27 liter is 18x2.6 and the 32 is 18.5x 3 from what I recall. The 32 Liter obviously paddles better but feels pretty similar once up and pumping around. The 27 Liter definitely feels a bit more spicy in turns as I don’t have to offset my stance as much. With that said I did a little video about a year ago comparing two almost identical in volume and height but different widths and bottoms. A lot has changed in what I look for in a foil board since but I do think it is another interesting way of looking at prone specific boards itself. I do plan to get ( when available) the 45 liter Quiver Killer by Uni as well. More for Foildrive but I also think it will be a fun change for prone days as well. Anyway I hope you enjoy!
I think that might be the sweet spot for me right now. 4’4 32L. The Disco Butter is also on my radar, especially considering how much I like my Quiver Killer. Even after sampling a few higher performance boards I don’t find myself wishing I was on another board the whole time. It’s great for mushy days.
The only downer sometimes is what you mentioned in your video with a more narrow nose outline causing me to blow drop-ins occasionally. I’m getting better at avoiding it, but it didn’t happen once on the Spitfire. I really like all that volume being in the nose. I’m not exactly it’s intended audience, it being for “advanced” riders, but the volume distribution felt good. Anyone have a comparison of the Disco butter with the Spitfire?
I have actually ridden both. though I haven’t ridden the spitfire in a long time. I didn’t love the tail rocker which points the nose up. /but that does help with take offs in my opinion but it is harder to paddle. plowing water
I’ve proned a 4’10"x21. A 4’x18", a 4’3"x18, and a 4’8"x19.
I prefer skinnier as it lets you crank turns. But some width is great for stability on takeoff. Length, I think you can go longer as long you realize you should accommodate it with a longer mast.
For example, my 4’10" board on a 85cm has the same hypotenuse/room to pump as a 4’ board on 72cm mast.
So when you use a longer board, going forward in the tracks and having a longer mast are key. Hence why Armstrong FG boards were so good. Pair that with a neutral foil like Armstrong HAv2/MA and you can pump pretty even-footed. My GoFoil for example needed way more front foot pressure and I felt like I needed a smaller board to make it work.
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Yeah, I heard the Spitfire has built in shim which a lot of guys undo with a mast shim. I’m interested in the paddle-in and ride differences between the two.
I got to try the 4’4 26L Spitfire for a day and it paddled like a dog, but wasn’t too bad paddling into waves even though that’s not enough liters for me. I’ve resigned myself that everything is going to paddle like garbage compared to my Quiver Killer.
180lbs
North Swell 50L - 4’10 x 21 x 3.6
North Seek 38L - 4’4 x 20 x 2.8
The Swell paddles faster/chips in easier, but the Seek pumps much more efficiently/effectively. I choose depending on mush level. Prefer the Seek. Has a wide, flat nose which seems to help bounce off the water for touchdown recovery.
Have to move mast forward 1-2” on Swell to alleviate swing weight and feel comfortable w/ feet placement. (Both boards duckdive easily and are stupid fun to wing on.) Turns on both boards feel similar bc using same foil setup. More agility/less stability on the Seek in general. On a good day, I’ve connected 8 small waves on the Swell.
Would love to try a North Vert prone board. Killing your quiver may simplify things, but having 2-3 boards to choose from in the back of the truck…depending on the conditions…rules.
@NorthRydr How heavy is your North Swell board? I’m concerned its too heavy since its not a full carbon board. Would you recommend the 4’4" 38L Swell board?
50L Swell looks to be right at 10lbs according to my digital bathroom scale. I dont use it as much now that I have the 38L Seek, but I like it enough to keep as lightwind wingboard or for super mush proning.
Yes, I think the smallest Swell (35L?) would be amazing for prone if you weigh 150-190…Especially the new 2025 model.
There will always be the sacrifice of paddle speed to pumpability/riding agility.
Look into the Vert model if have the $$. It may be full carbon.
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Just checked. Verts are carbon. 4’2 25L & 4’5 30L
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I’m 180lbs and have went up to a 44L 5’ x 18.5" from my old 40L 4’5.5" x 19". Feeling very stoked and it considerably improved my wave count and experience in general both prone and wing. No strap inserts so new board is actually lighter lighter and between the more thinned out nose and tail and reduced width I don’t notice much difference at all in pumping and turning.
Been in love with the faster paddling as our spot can have a decent paddle to get out. On the days when the current is bad I’m also finding myself staying in position with much less effort. Catching small crumbling waves is pretty similar performance but the longer, narrower, higher volume Emissary really shines in unbroken waves and bigger, faster waves. I’m also finding take offs easier since I have more volume and surface area under my hands so can push down a little more aggressively during the pop up without worrying about stuffing the nose.
For winging is also has meant I’m on my prone board 90% of days rather than 50% of days which has been great and allowed me to move up to a more dedicated lightwind board.
For me the width of 18.5" is perfect but about as narrow as I’d go. When I tried narrower where I place my hands it starts making pop ups more difficult and narrower in the standing area compresses my stance more than I like.
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