Should i go for this great board deal?

Question

I have found a great deal for a 6'1 tuflite al merrick flyer- only $450. There is a picture of the board and it is is great condition. i hve been looking for a good small surf shortboard for a while. The issue is i don't know if i am 100% ready for this board.

I am 6' 160 lbs and surf mostly small surf on the jersey shore. I have been surfing for 2 years and now use mostly a 6'8 retro fish- i got this board as a transition from my beginner funboard. On this board, i feel i can turn, cutback and manuever pretty well, so i was ready to transition to a traditional shortboard. Will i be able to use this board well, considering i have never ridden a shortboard before? I am mostly worried about the takeoff and popup. Will this board, at 6'1 be too small or advanced for me?

I really thought this would be a great deal if i was able to use the board well.

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

id say pass.  the tuflites are really stiff and like a bad relationship, all you do is give during a turn and all they do is take.  when you try and pump power into them they dont pump back.  you may not notice the difference right away, but its harder to keep speed and power through a turn on a tuflite.  if it was a normally constructed board id say go for it, but you could get a better board for the price. stay with a local shaper, there are some pretty good ones who work out of the jersey shore and their boards will be cheaper.  the flyer is a great shape, if you live in cali where the board was designed to perform.  for the jersey shore go with a jersey shaper, they know the waves better and usually shape their boards to really perform in the jersey juice.

Answer 2

Flyers are solid boards. Tuflite is okay, not enough flex in my opinion, but thats not going to be an issue for you. I'd say the boards a bit small for you, then again, if you've been surfing for two years, you should be able to handle it. Check how much rocker it has, flyers generally dont have much. the more rocker it has, the less likely you'll nose dive and eat ****. Depending on how old the board is, 450 is too much if its more than a year old. then again, tuflite holds up pretty well.

Answer 3

Can you spell "POPOUT"? The good thing about this board, is that it is more 'floaty' than a conventional board would be, so it will probably be easier on the take off. Tell the guys in the shop that you want a good south Jersey board, and somebody will help you for real. Go look at the second floor board room at Heritage, there are surely some sticks there for you, that aren't popouts.

A lot of the answerer haven't surfed in south Jersey, but I have, for 42 years. If you end up with this board, given its extra buoyancy, and your present skill level, you will be able to ride it, and probably have it mastered by July 4. During the 'shortboard revolution' I had buddies of mine riding 5'4" and 5'6" boards all over Cape May County, and they were as big or bigger than you.

I also don't know why you would want to go to Puerto Rico. There are some neat breaks there, but come Autumn, you have some great breaks right at home. If you really want to stray, try Montauk LI or drive down to the Outer Banks, neither require air fare!

Answer 4

If you are doing cutbacks in fast small surf, you should get this board, but keep your 6'8 for days when you or the waves are feeling week. I imagine you wont use the 6'1 as much as the 6'8 on the Jersey Shore but you will be glad you have it when the conditions are really good or you take it on a trip to Puerto Rico.

Answer 5

ya man go for the board, thats a great deal. i wouldn't pass it up. even if your not ready for it yet in like a mounth you will be into it. DO IT!