Affordable 2013 Ronix Parks Carbon Thrusters $400

[Billy-Jo]

If you leave the board in direct sunlight, you can get some discoloration as well. I'm just guessing that the sock I made for my board isn't blocking out the UV rays but it does seem to keep the board cooler to the touch.

You're right about discoloration from direct sunlight. While your board sock might not block UV rays completely, it's good that it keeps the board cooler. Consider UV-protective materials for better protection.

[IDBoating]

We have tons of board here at the lake and the 2 that everyone keeps coming back to are the Carbon Thruster and the Danielo Diamond.

Yep! We don't have as many boards as it sounds like you do, but when the various lake dwellers combine up their boards they keep coming back to the Carbon Thruster. We've started putting rank beginners on it and their learning curves have shortened like crazy. It's taking a toll on the board - I'll probably have to replace it sooner due to the wear and tear - but it's worth it because of how fast people get up and get stable. We only take out two boards now, the CT and our new-this-year 5-1 Illuminati for the larger folks (or when I want a REALLY FAST RIDE). The others just sit, unused, in the boathouse.

[Robmc9]

I've now had a good chunk of the summer to play around with fin set-up, although I do have the 2014 model and not 100% if its the exact same as the 2013. Board size is 5'1 and I'm 5'9, 185lbs. When I bought it I thought it might be too long but now I'm really glad I did as I think its the perfect length for myself and the majority of people I let use it.
I agree the 3 fin (smaller fins) setup was great but then I tried a new set-up with 2 smaller fins on the back setting of the middle row, I'm now in love. Its the perfect combination of carving and mobility with good stability but does allow me to get around on the odd 360. Any other set-up makes it almost impossible to get around, although I'm not an expert on 360's.
Not sure why you'd want longer fins the board is locked on with the short fins in almost any position.
We have tons of board here at the lake and the 2 that everyone keeps coming back to are the Carbon Thruster and the Danielo Diamond. Boards that now just sit unused, Danielo Pro, Razz, Oogle among other Shred Stixx and Inland Surf. Its mazing when you think you love your board then try 1 of the 2 above and then you go back and realize how bad it is. The Razz was the perfect example, the start of the year everyone loved it and it was used 95% of the time by everyone, then the 2 new boards showed up and the Razz hasn't been used in 2 months as it feels slow, heavy and slugg'ish. The other board I thought I'd like but after a couple of surfs really was disappointed with was the Byerly Buzz, really really slow…we were all on our front foot 100% of the time to even keep up with the wave and any time you tried cutting your were out of the pocket instantly. Not sure if this is important when comparing boards (but I think it is) I have a 2014 RZ2 with the big MLA bags in the rear so you get abetter idea on the wave all these boards are being used behind.

[IDBoating]

The best way to keep your board cool and out of the direct sun, if you do not have any shade or storage is a wet board sock. Put the board sock on, and dip it in the lake. Yes the board/sock will be wet, but it will not ever get too hot.

Great idea! In my case, I'll wet down the towel before I slip it into the bimini pocket.

[Chaos]

The other thing I would note about temperature control for you boards. Bags do help, even if dark colored. The insulation keeps the hot bag surface from contacting the board directly. However, if you lay a board bag in the sun, in 98-100 degree temperatures that bag becomes like an oven. This is not a problem until the inside temperature starts to exceed 130-140 degrees.

The best way to keep your board cool and out of the direct sun, if you do not have any shade or storage is a wet board sock. Put the board sock on, and dip it in the lake. Yes the board/sock will be wet, but it will not ever get too hot.

Nick

[Chaos]

They are good bags. I am an FCS/Gorilla dealer. If you all are interested in a few bags I can get you bulk price. Yes, I have not found any 4'8" or larger board that quite fit the bag. Also wider tailed and snub nosed board do not fit in well over 4'6". It is designed for skim boards. It is well made a very well cushioned. I do not like that it does not have a rail saver. A rail saver is extra material that blocks the zipper from contacting the rail. The Prolite skim bags had a rail saver and a couple other feature that were great. However, Prolite discounted the bog this year.

Nick

[IDBoating]

Interesting that the reflective material is on the INside. I would think it would be best on the OUTside.

Yesterday I put a nice terrycloth towel over two boards before I slid them into the bimini pockets. Worked great. Incremental cost = $0. Think I'll do this now just as insurance.

[Stingreye]

I am in for 1 maybe 2 depending on price. Do you think a 4'10" board would fit?

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[IDBoating]

Then throwing a towel over the board while it's in the bimini pockets should have the same effect. Tuck it around the nose before insertion and the towel won't fly away.

[Timmy!]

If you leave the board in direct sunlight, you can get some discoloration as well. I'm just guessing that the sock I made for my board isn't blocking out the UV rays but it does seem to keep the board cooler to the touch.

[Duncan]

Do you know that for sure? It seems to me that a black bag would absorb heat. I always thought bags were primarily for physical, not thermal, protection. A reflective bag might keep things cooler, but otherwise you've reduced convective cooling and (seemingly) increased absorptive heating.

I'd love to be wrong about this. Has anyone actually stuck a thermometer in the bag to see what happens? We have paddleboard bags, maybe I'll run that experiment. I have a Fluke meter with a calibrated temperature sensor so there won't be a question about accuracy.

When I take our glass TWP F-18 off the bimini and out of the (light colored) sack it is around ambient touch temperature or a little warmer. When the sack is not on the board, it is searing to the touch. The board has a lot of color from custom graphics on the bottom so it soaks up heat. The sun was also starting to fade the graphics.

[IDBoating]

We got a surf board sock for use on the boat (fits in the bimini pocket) and a surf board bag for storage when not on the boat. The sock really keeps the heat down on our glass boards.

Do you know that for sure? It seems to me that a black bag would absorb heat. I always thought bags were primarily for physical, not thermal, protection. A reflective bag might keep things cooler, but otherwise you've reduced convective cooling and (seemingly) increased absorptive heating.

I'd love to be wrong about this. Has anyone actually stuck a thermometer in the bag to see what happens? We have paddleboard bags, maybe I'll run that experiment. I have a Fluke meter with a calibrated temperature sensor so there won't be a question about accuracy.

[Stingreye]

Haha. The penguin.

This bag looks like it would work. http://shredstixxusa.com/board-bags-...gorilla-58-bag

Looks good to me and it would be nice to support Nick/Chaos, the guy has been helpful here before and I have heard his service is good.

.... Maybe Nick/Chaos would do a group buy?

I have also seen some Triple X bags show up on Ebay cheap before but I think the quality isn't supposed to be as good.

[Stingreye]

I think the primary advantage of the carbon fiber is lighter weight. Someone else may know more behind the materials science...?

I used to pole vault in college when carbon fiber poles were just starting to be used so my only experience with the two materials is there and I don't know if there are other construction methods.

Aspects:
1) Carbon poles were lighter than fiberglass
2) For a given weight rating (they are rated for weight on the bend characteristics), the Carbon Pole would feel stiffer and bend less but the recoil felt stronger
3) It was shocking how different a 185 lb 15 foot fiberglass pole was compared to a 185 lb Carbon Fiber 15 Foot Pole. Ultimately, I loved how light the Carbon was but the bend recoil I never was able to control like the glass pole.

I have a Phase Five Daniello Diamond Carbon and it appeared a little more durable than my surf style boards. I was hoping the Ronix Carbon board would be too.

[Duncan]

Haha. The penguin.

This bag looks like it would work. http://shredstixxusa.com/board-bags-...gorilla-58-bag

We got a surf board sock for use on the boat (fits in the bimini pocket) and a surf board bag for storage when not on the boat. The sock really keeps the heat down on our glass boards.