So my 8'8 Speeed has been my go to board for years now but after dropping 18 kg its feeling a bit more corky than it used to. I was looking at getting a smaller board and I noticed an 8'2 Speeed available used near by for a reasonable price. I know a ton of you have ridden this board in various sizes. What would I gain by going 6 inches shorter and an inch narrower? I love my 8'8, but you have to move a bit because it feels like it accelerates from the middle but turns from the rear and some times I can't move fast enough to make the turns I want to make. Are 6 inches going to be enough to change that dynamic, or should I just look elsewhere?
Grab the 8/2 and keep the 8/8 until you have settled into the smaller size. Dropping 18 kg should make it an easy transition
Exiled, that's a worthy achievement!
By the numbers, you should be fine dropping up to 23 liters of volume, which puts you around 100 liters.
I have often told folks that the Speeed would change character, once you were on a small enough one, to surf it with one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the steering wheel. I believe that you would see a marked difference in performance, if you never had to move your feet.
I just measured the distance from handle to stomper on the 8'5... that would put me into a fixed stance (if I ever lose 20 kg)
If you are over 5'9, I would bet you could surf the 8'2 in a fixed stance.
Volume aside, you will be dropping 1.5 " in width.... that is something to think about.
Another option might be to change it up a bit and get an 8'4 Creek.
At 105 liters and 28.5" wide and a flatter deck, that should get be very comfortable for you.
The rail curve and nose make it an entirely different board, while keeping the same tail.
Your weight loss is worthy of a new board!
or you could go small and get a Genration SP25 - Sean Pointers new Sunova line!
7'11 x 28.5 at 105 liters
genration.com/collections/sup/products/sp25?variant=27852092375140
So my 8'8 Speeed has been my go to board for years now but after dropping 18 kg its feeling a bit more corky than it used to. I was looking at getting a smaller board and I noticed an 8'2 Speeed available used near by for a reasonable price. I know a ton of you have ridden this board in various sizes. What would I gain by going 6 inches shorter and an inch narrower? I love my 8'8, but you have to move a bit because it feels like it accelerates from the middle but turns from the rear and some times I can't move fast enough to make the turns I want to make. Are 6 inches going to be enough to change that dynamic, or should I just look elsewhere?
Exiled
Go for it! I have been thinking very similar thoughts and if the 8'2" used Speeed was near me (it is several thousand km away) I would be trying to beat you to it. My 8'10" Speeed is now completely stable for me in all conditions. I would then use the 8'2" smaller board for when it is clean and work my way into it. The Speeed is a classic design that few boards come close to......well.........perhaps the Creek!
Cheers
Bob
Thanks for the input everyone!
I'm 6'5, so I have a a fairly wide stance, so I'm hoping the 8'2 will get me short enough. The appeal of the 8'2 would be that I wouldn't be learning a new board, just managing the smaller size in a board I already know works for me. That and I can take the plunge at used board prices. If I was feeling flush I would spring for a 8'0 Wedge, but I'm waiting for the ride reports to start coming in. I want to hear how it handles bigger waves.
Exiled....I started on an 8'5 Speeed / I then bought an 8'2 from a fellow Breezer followed by a 7'11 & I finally settled on the 7'8. Bottom line...IMO you get the most out of a shape like the Speeed riding it as small as possible providing you've got a back-up board for the less than perfect days. As Creek mentions, aside from the obvious benefits of a shorter/narrower board, the beauty with the smaller Speeed's is that you don't have to move your feet as much especially if you're tall & have a naturally wide stance
Exiled....I started on an 8'5 Speeed / I then bought an 8'2 from a fellow Breezer followed by a 7'11 & I finally settled on the 7'8. Bottom line...IMO you get the most out of a shape like the Speeed riding it as small as possible providing you've got a back-up board for the less than perfect days. As Creek mentions, aside from the obvious benefits of a shorter/narrower board, the beauty with the smaller Speeed's is that you don't have to move your feet as much especially if you're tall & have a naturally wide stance
7'8 is small! how tall are you?
I'm 6'1 so my 7'8 is right on the cusp...especially if I've been spending too much time on my foil boards
if its cheap enough go for it for sure.that board goes good in every length , its a magic shape..when the waves are better a shorter speed is sweet
well done on losing weight. 6'5 on a 8.2! I ride a 8'2 speed and Im 5'8 keep both boards is my advice. You'll struggle on a windy /rough day on the 8'2
Buy it, try it and if you don't like it you can sell for little or no loss in all likelihood.
I've been on an 8'2" Speed for ~3 years at 5'10" / 170 #'s.
It's a great board.
Thanks for the input everyone!
I'm 6'5, so I have a a fairly wide stance, so I'm hoping the 8'2 will get me short enough. The appeal of the 8'2 would be that I wouldn't be learning a new board, just managing the smaller size in a board I already know works for me. That and I can take the plunge at used board prices. If I was feeling flush I would spring for a 8'0 Wedge, but I'm waiting for the ride reports to start coming in. I want to hear how it handles bigger waves.
Daniel seems comfortable on the Wedge in some size, even though it is not the designed purpose for it.
Looks solid on some hard turns!
save up!!!