Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Kairob
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Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » sam. août 24, 2019 12:04 pm

Hello, i´m 188cm and 77kg. I have a intermediate level. Actually i have a mob sp 8´3" x 30" x 120L. I surf usually in the mediterranean sea, small and soft waves but i think to buy another board for "big" days.
I ride the mob 8´3" perfect, it´s easy for me and i test a nfa 8” 115L and also it´s easy.
My doubt is:
Does the karmen also work well in small and soft days? Or only with decent waves?
For my level and weight is better 7´11" or 8´4"?

Thank you and good waves!

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coolas
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Inscription : lun. août 10, 2009 1:24 pm
Localisation : Ambassadeur Seignosse, 1m67, 97kg
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Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par coolas » sam. août 24, 2019 12:26 pm

The Karmen also works very nicely in small and soft days. It has less "automatic acceleration" than a Mob, you need to work a bit more (seek the places where the wave is more powerful) but nothing too bad.

Here is an example of me, 100kg, on my Karmen 8'4" in small waves (low quality vid)

phpBB [video]


The Karmen 8'4" will be less stable than your Mob or NFA, but not by a big margin. The 7'11" will be also Ok for your weight, but with a bit more of a challenge at first, especially since you are quite tall.

I would advise the 8'4" however. It will be a nice progression path without hassles. And on the "big" days you often have a lot of water movements, some comfort is nice. But if you manage to have a lot of sessions (more than once a week), and want to advance your surfing even with a bit of challenge, the 7'11" will fit the bill.
2019: 7'3" Fatal 105L, Alley 7'8" 105L & 8'1" 120L, Zero 9'0" 115L
2022: Mob 7'6" cool 120L, Alleys custom 7'10" 112L & 8'1" 114L
2023: Karmen custom 7'11" 118L
Surf: 9'1" XTR proto glider

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » sam. août 24, 2019 12:50 pm

Thank you very much Coolas! I will considerer your advice.

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » jeu. nov. 07, 2019 12:34 pm

Hello,

Finally I bought the Karmen 7´11" and...UUUooohhh! It´s perfect! Easy for my 188cm and 76kg.

From day one I have felt very comfortable with her, it´s very very stable for its volume and width and it also works very well on a lot
of conditions, both in soft and strong waves. It´s incredible, magic, it has the best of both worlds, waiting stability and speed and maneuverability in the wave. Perfect!

Only one question Coolas: In your opinion and experience, which are the best fins for this board in small-medium conditions?

Thank you.

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coolas
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Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par coolas » jeu. nov. 07, 2019 3:57 pm

The fin equation has been greatly simplified for me: the Quobba fins are so much better than the other fins... especially for the Karmen which enjoys greatly the added speed.

https://quobbafins.com

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=9789

I would recommend the M (orange) ones for your weight. The Karmen have a very good grip on the wave with its rail, you do not need big fins with it.

The only drawback is that you need to screw them (they are FCS1, not FCSII), so it is better if you let them in the board.

Thanks for your feedback, it is very useful to advise others with these inputs...
2019: 7'3" Fatal 105L, Alley 7'8" 105L & 8'1" 120L, Zero 9'0" 115L
2022: Mob 7'6" cool 120L, Alleys custom 7'10" 112L & 8'1" 114L
2023: Karmen custom 7'11" 118L
Surf: 9'1" XTR proto glider

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » jeu. nov. 07, 2019 4:18 pm

Uhmmm...interesting...

And if you had to choose fcs ii fins? which ones would you choose?

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coolas
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Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par coolas » jeu. nov. 07, 2019 5:47 pm

In FCSII, I found that the Al Merrick sets had the best (or rather the less bad) foil of all.
2019: 7'3" Fatal 105L, Alley 7'8" 105L & 8'1" 120L, Zero 9'0" 115L
2022: Mob 7'6" cool 120L, Alleys custom 7'10" 112L & 8'1" 114L
2023: Karmen custom 7'11" 118L
Surf: 9'1" XTR proto glider

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » jeu. nov. 07, 2019 5:53 pm

Thank you very much Coolas! I’ll think it.

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » ven. nov. 08, 2019 10:05 am

The last question: The Al Merrick fins, for 77kg, better size M or L?

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coolas
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Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par coolas » ven. nov. 08, 2019 10:16 am

M or L, depending on your taste:
https://www.surffcs.eu/blogs/community/ ... o-fcs-fins

M for more speed, L for more tolerance to mistakes such as not engaging the rail enough in turns.

But knowing how much better the Quobba are, I now feel so sad for people buying regular fins... but it's your choice.
2019: 7'3" Fatal 105L, Alley 7'8" 105L & 8'1" 120L, Zero 9'0" 115L
2022: Mob 7'6" cool 120L, Alleys custom 7'10" 112L & 8'1" 114L
2023: Karmen custom 7'11" 118L
Surf: 9'1" XTR proto glider

Kairob
Messages : 31
Inscription : jeu. août 22, 2019 5:22 pm

Re: Karmen 7’11” or 8’4”

Message par Kairob » ven. nov. 08, 2019 10:36 am

Puff! Hard decision! The Quobba is very interesting and I trust you. The problem is it isn’t FCS II.
But ok, i wait one-two months and probably I will buy the Quobba fins.
I will review my experience.

Good weekend and good waves!

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