Firewire Vader

[Phil]

By the way the 5' 3" Vader has 25.8 liters of volume.

OUPS!
Corrected

Phil
Have Fun & Ride Safe

[Megabear]

Nor sure why you are arguing about this.

Volume does matter - as a size indicator.
People used to refer board sizes by length, i.e. "get a 6'1 board".

Obviously with the Vanguard or Vader this makes little sense anymore.
So people go to the next best thing - volume.
Surface area would likely even better, but I have yet to see a board, where these informations are available.

This Bushflyr

guess its semantics then...

[felixp]

Hi Guys,
Food for thought.
I have now been riding the Vader for over a year 5'1 ,22.9 l
I weigh 160# the board is a perfect volume for me in all conditions. 10-35 knots
I recently rode the 4'11 Evo 21.8 l this board felt so floaty compared to my Vader it blew my mind.
Volume distribution - rocker -out line - fin placement all make's a difference.
Volume is only half the puzzle in this Tomo realm .
Don't get lost in Volumes they are only a slight guide line and a very different one to your standard shortboard.
Enjoy your boards and if you ever have any volume questions or board size questions I will be more than happy to help.

felix@switchkites.com

Cheers.

[yojimbo]

Felix, thanks for injecting some sanity into this discussion.

Please ignore the flamethrowers, resist the urge to engage. Was looking to find out about the Vader, not encounter a shitstorm of bullshit.

[topmick]

Hi Felix, please tell me how the Evo compared to the Vader.

[sckitesurf]

Hey Top,

Felix and I ran out on the 4'11" Evo and as mentioned, it felt much bigger than anticipated. My interpretation of this feeling would be from the way the foam and volume is distributed on the shape with a more full nose and thickness up front. Also, some crazy deep channel work on the bottom going from nose to tail with additional channels (within the main channel) at the tail creating a ton of drive. Like other Tomo's, the board goes upwind like nobody's business and the channels on the Evo make it a smoother ride than the other models (IMO). I've since downsized and jumped on the 4'10" Evo and it felt magical for my 165lb weight in anywhere from 12-25 knots of wind and a variety of waves. I've been on a Vader 4'10" for several months as my daily board and this compares well with the Evo in terms of performance (little more vertical attack on the Vader) but Evo definitely feels fuller, more floaty, like it's levitating on the water. I carboned the Evo 4'10" as the stock surf LFT build will snap like a twig if you jump it or ride it hard. FireWire is still looking at bringing this one out in a kite build and is yet to be determined on sizes and a release date. Fins, similar to the Vader, EA's, F4's, John John's (my personal fav) any medium or small size fin as the board planes so well and has a lot of drive. Of course bigger guys may want a bigger fin like AM2's or something for more hold. Composites, Techflex, like anything else, lots of personal preference taken into account so these are more guidelines...

[TomW]

I couldn't wait, and I knew the Vanguard and Vader sharp outline would catch in my sh***ty surf n chop. .
Ordering an XTR was going to take too long and cost too much.
So I built a copy.
It's magic. I'm calling it the D-evo.

[Bushflyr]

I couldn't wait, and I knew the Vanguard and Vader sharp outline would catch in my sh***ty surf n chop. .

It really won't, but doesn't matter.

Ordering an XTR was going to take too long and cost too much.
So I built a copy.
It's magic. I'm calling it the D-evo.

VERY nice. I'm currently looking at the same thing, but I want full profile rails and drop the deck so it's ~1.5cm thick. Half the volume, probably .6 of the weight, awesome grab rails, and feet right at the waterline.

[Seawolf]

What fins to use for the Vader?
I have F4 futures on my vanguard and they work out well. Was thinking about the same size for the Vader but haven't tried any of the FCS fins yet. Was thinking about the AM3 as they look pretty much the same...

[mede]

It largely depends on your weight.
Typically, go a size smaller than you would for surfing with a traditional shape.

Surfers Fins work well for me (and as they're not as known as futures e.g., you can get some good deals (like this one: http://www.wetfins.com.au/surfboard-fin ... lue-small/)