You are right, Gem works as single fin really well (8" had Futures Tiler mounted far back to the tail) but I find it better with 2+1 Shapers SX on sides and 7'" FCS Fluid Foils center fin, center fin again mounted at the far back of the fin box to release water well trims very fast with stable noseride plus easy to adjust trimming line without stepping back and still turns from the tail "like a shortboard", I second that Gem is a keeper!

great input thanks for the review!

Just bought one in Byron Bay today, surfed the Pass first go in ordinary conditions and blown away. Been riding a Nat Young Sam 9'6" since the 90's. Wow. Guess my old best is in the garage for ever. This stick is awesome.

@lawson45uk

2 жыл бұрын

Nice glad your enjoying the board :-) Nat Youngs are usually good from all accounts too so great that your getting a bit more performance. Cheers.

Thank you for the review, from Denmark.

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

Guido Hansen thanks 👍👏

Thx for the review. The 9'1 Gem is definitely on my short list. Really enjoying my 8'6 Special T, I'm pretty sold on Timbertek & the TJ series based off that experience. As much as I like a locally made board, I spent more time repairing my last poly board than I did surfing it...

@lawson45uk

6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Mitchell. Yeah might have to do a part two, had another couple of surfs and getting close to calling it the best longboard I have ever ridden. Only been small waves though..End of the week it's supposed to pick up so hope to get to use it in some bigger waves under 2 ft peelers so far and its going nuts which is amazing as it's not meant for that ideally though it is meant to do a bit of everything. The speed with which you can adjust your position on the waves makes up for the slightly lower volume.. Stay tuned I will try and do a follow up soon cheers.

@joecalkin3527

5 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk What are you thoughts on going up a length (up to 9' 5" at a similar weight to your good self) to get the Small wave catchability (for Whangamata small days) but still have the maneuverability of the Tail shape and concaves etc. ? Thanks great reviews

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Joe Calkin Hey buddy. Yeah for sure. Have heard people like that next size up. The 9'1" catches waves really well and Whanga has a bit more push to it than we get. Im quite fond of my 9'0" Wingnut for the job that your talking about though so that could be another option for you. Flatter rocker wider more simple concaves single fin still a pulled in tail. May or may not be your thing but worth considering too as it means you can stay at 9'0". I love mine. Just to throw another thought into the mix 😛

Thanks for this well in formed review, I was a hares breath from buying the pro today, but have order the gem. I held the pro model today and it is as it says pro... Firece thin an a really pulled in tail, almost gun like. Thanks again keep videos coming. ❤️From🇮🇪

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

single fin romance Thanks very much for the positive feedback :-) you will be happy with the gem for sure. The pro goes good in good waves and still goes ok in smaller waves but it really needs some push to get the most out of it. The Gem does it all and well. If you really wanted a high performance model the flexflight is like a pro but with a flatter rocker and they come in a range of volumes and tail shapes at the same sizes but the gem is the best all rounder I have ever ridden. Just ended up getting myself another Wingnut for the really small stuff too :-) cheers .. let me know how you get on with your gem

@markl4143

5 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk I will do...order going of tomorrow so should have it in 10 days or so.... Talk soon

@markl4143

5 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk OK... Got out today (first surf on gem) in 3ft surf with a dropping tide. First wave I was sold... It felt extremely light and responsive, fantastic paddler, only got In a few turns but enough to see how it holds up on my front side anyway(darkness got me out of water). Really, really, really look forward for morning as there a bit of swell still about and I'll hopefully know more. Thanks again for your initial review as you were on point with review and she is definetly a "keeper". Keep up your reviews and keep flying the flag for us normal not pro guys who just love to surf. ❤️🇮🇪

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

single fin romance ah magic mate. Glad to hear your stoked. This is what I do the reviews for do thanks heaps for your comments and support 👍

@markl4143

5 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk keep it rocking bro....

Thanks, good review, The Gem looks to me like Special T just narrower, with extra nose rocker, narrower tail and nearly same tail flip and rails. Since Special T - I 110% agree - is outstanding, precise, awesome... I expect The Gem to be "the Special T of the progressive longboards" compensating its slight loss in glide with the thruster diamond tail where the extra drive of the thruster does all the magic. Having said that, in my opinion you could try on your Gem a more progressive fin setup (you'll lose glide gaining drive that can help Gem to catch waves on slight angled takeoff as good as Special T does). I am 105 Kg so I buy 9'5" Gem and use side fins (I don't say side bites cause I buy shortboard thruster set) size like FCS Accelerator Large (of course similar with Futures slot) and smaller center fin like Shapers 6.5" Classic: Wood that works wonders on TJ Pro so Gem would take the best from all worlds: better glide and nose ride than TJ Pro, better drive and turns than Special T, lighter than TJ Everyday.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Hey mate.. Yup your 100% on point with the comments on the two boards. Having had both they pretty clearly share a lot of DAN the GEM just has volume removed in key places some rocker added and a very aggressive bottom concave. Yeah on the fins I find that a lot of the really good surfers do tend to like quite large sides and a smaller centre and a lot of people recommended the Futures TJ fin set which has the same sort of large sides set up. Need to revisit this for myself on the GEM. The last performance board I has I went the whole hog and tried a thruster but that board in general was a lot harder to get going than the GEM so the thrusters just felt like full on anchors.. That's the beauty of the GEM it turns pretty much as well as that last HP longboard and still manages to glide nearly as well as the Special T.. Even the TJ pro has amazing glide for it's size and rocker. We have a very slow flat faced wave here too so you can't really even get your pump on that much so the board needs to glide by itself. A heavier surfer or even me in a more punchy wave I would expect the larger sides would be great. A lot of our gun riders have a Kai salas and something like a GX or larger side fins and that seems to be guys right across the weight range which I find interesting. That's the beauty of surfing too though are. It's all personal preference and experimentation and each person has something that works for them. Thanks heaps for the insight. Always good to get peoples opinions across the range.

@markl4143

5 жыл бұрын

You nailed that break down.....@radum dimitri

Great review!! Thanks a lot for sharing mate. I live in Auckland and the beaches around have punchier waves than chch. I don’t care about days up to 2ft as I have a Miki Munoz 11ft that catches everything. I want a board for 2-4 ft days and I’m between the gem 9’1, the don 9’p and Takayama DT2 9’2. Do you have any suggestions?

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Ohhhh some great choices there mate. Tough call. I would personally go for the gem in those kind of waves myself. Think it's probably made a bit more for it and maybe a little less nose on the way than the don and a little less parallel than the takayama. Saying that I have heard nothing but good things about the don and never ridden a bad takayama so I don't think they're are any bad choices in there for that wave range. Fact the gem is available in thunderbolt makes it even more appealing now. I would take my skindog blender over all of the others for the more punchy waves you get up there but the gem is the closest and again in thunderbolt I suspect even better. DT2 also be very different boards between a PU Polly and something like a TLPC surftech too so depending on the weight/construction you like etc too might be a factor. Gem I know o can recommend others are both good choices too

@nikosskouroliakos5816

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Thanks mate! You re awesome!

@GO SURF Hey, building my own board and would like to mimic a similar bottom to the gem. does the bottom contours go from teardrop straight to Vee to double concave Vee? Is the end of the tail flat or does the double concave vee hold through?

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Hey mate. Don’t have the Gem anymore but the Skindog Blender is very similar just even more aggressive. There is a good walkthrough of the concave on the review video. I have done similar / a bit more simplified and less aggressive on my own ones too and it works too if you want to keep it simple and not super focused on nose riding take a single concave from the nose to the middle of the board then go vee with double inside it making the deepest point around the fin area and mellowing out a bit again through the tail.. I don’t go too aggressive off the tail but not flat either it usually looks like subtle vee and most of the double has blended out. I don’t personally like a double or very aggressive vee still being super apparent off the at the tail exit point myself. When your shaping yourself and in average waves it pays to go a little less aggressive version as it’s harder for people like us to do a nice blended vee double without making a less smooth rocker profile.. Going for a Vee Double is basically a way of retaining a fairly flat stringer rocker while increasing the rail rocker. Hope that all helps and makes sense.. Feel free to message me on Instagram and flick me some pics of your project. Cheers..

@rodolfocrispin4943

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Thanks for the insight and quick response. totally makes sense. I'll definitely send pics. thanks, boss.

Hey man, hows it going? Just wondering if your still surfing longboards or more into your own hand-shapes etc these days? I'm considering pulling the trigger on a Thunderbolt 9'1 Gem in Black tech. I know youv had thunderbolts in the past, just wondering your thoughts on it.... Cheers from Ireland!

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Hey mate. Yeah absolutely. I have a Wingnut Noserider, a board I made myself and a Skindog Blender in Thunderbolt. Used to have a CJ Nelson slasher in thunderbolt too so yeah 100% love the Thunderbolt tech and pretty exciting that the Gem is now available in Thunderbolt as it’s a really good design for an all rounder leaning towards the performance end so would expect you would be stoked if you got one. Thunderbolt is really light lively and durable. There is a good short video of Taylor talking about the models and techs on here too. Cheers. kzread.info/dash/bejne/maSWyrCfYri-f7w.html

Thank you for this very inspiring review. I actually have a Submoon 8'7, very funny board. For my 60th birthday, I would like to buy a new board for this new decade of surfing. So, a board that is easy to paddle and ride without necessarily doing nose-rides. I'm 5'11 tall and weigh 163 lbs. Which board would you advise me between the Special T and the Gem 9'1?

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Happy birthday! Sorry for the late reply only just getting round to checking for the messages I have missed. Yeah really just depends on what your looking for. The special T is a really nice middle ground of a bit of cruisy small wave with a bit of performance built in. The Gem is a little more performance that will also handle the smaller slower end of the waves where necessary. The same for a single fin over a 2 + 1 in general the single will have less drag and change direction in the smaller flatter sections a little more easily and also carry a little more glide a little easier. Where the Gem will be more about stating in the pocket a little more and maybe pumping a little where necessary so basically a slightly more active ride. Gem has more aggressive concaves more narrow and thinner nose and tail so you want to take all that into consideration. No reason you can't ride either just ask yourself what you want it to do for you. If it's slower waves 1-4ft range and nice easy ride good paddle for priorities and you want a little more volume less rocker the Special T is the go. If your wanting more 2.5-6ft waves more rail surfing more responsive and dont mind sacrificing a little paddle and glide look at the GEM. If you can afford it I would look at the Thunderbolt versions too. Lighter and more pop though I do like the way timber tech rides and haven't ridden these specific models in Thunderbolt I am a fan of the tech. it's lighter and has a little more pop. That's not for everyone though. Some people like more weight in their longboards. Sounds like you would like the Thunderbolt if your looking at riding more off the tail and a little lighter board to make your turns a little easier and your getting more float out of the same volume in a lighter board. Hope that helps thanks.

@leborgnejean-alain5419

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it really helps me to choose and the winner is the ...Special T 9’3. Thank you very much for your fine advices...

Great reviews! Are the rails turned down? Softer or harder rails? Thanks.

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

beach boy thanks mate. Haven't got the board anymore sorry but yeah pretty much a performance rail with a little rounding at the back and still a downrail most of the board. Definitely noting like 50/50 or rolled or eggy.

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

beach boy Oh and it's gonna be available in thunderbolt too so huge 👍👍👍👍 for that

Hi !!! Your reviews are amazing! Thank you so much! I was wondering if you can help me decide on the board though :) I want to get a long board that I can grow with. Looking into Firewire the Gem or Special T. I'm 5.8ft and 60kg, the Gem sounds like an awesome board, but just curious if for someone my size that's enough volume? I want to learn to trim and nose ride, but also be able to go out on smaller days in Auckland or Raglan. They both sound amazing,so just curious what's your experience with Gem on smaller waves etc? Thank you!

@lawson45uk

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Veronika. Thanks for the positive feedback and thanks for watching the channel. Yeah for sure wither in a 9'0" / 9'1" is all good for you volume wise. I'm 86kg and in pretty poor shape and they both float me fine especially in the new Thunderbolt tech. The Speical T is a single fin with a fuller shape so will have more glide and be a little easier to nose ride and perfect for waves waist high to a bit overhead though will handle outside of that too. The Gem is a little more refined and a bit more of a performance all rounder shape works better as a single with sides in my opinion and is ideal for for shoulder to well overhead but will still ride small waves too but needs to be kept in the pocket a little more to achieve this. I think your probably looking more at the Special T for what your explaining but many of the waves up your way would be powerful enough to get the Gem going just fine too. I think if you want smaller waves more trim more volume and very user friendly the 9'0" Special T will serve you really well and last years and always have a place in your quiver in my opinion. Nick at Ultimate surf would be able to help advise you up that way and the guy at Backdoor also good. If you cant get stock up there Exit Surf in CHCH are the local legends I use and also Backdoor again. Hope that helps just ask if you do have any more questions. If you buy a special T try and get hold of a 9" Captain fin co Christenson tracker fin that would be plenty of fin for you dont let them give you a big rudder you really wont need it. Cheers

@veronikasola5058

2 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk wow amazing!! Thank you! If it gets dinged can any shaper fix it up? Have read that sometimes timbertek come out not finished from factories and also if not The Gem, any other recommendations on a long board?

@lawson45uk

2 жыл бұрын

@@veronikasola5058 Yeah personally if you can afford the Thunderbolt version I would go for that. Yeah the timbertec is essentially an epoxy but absolutely if you get a bad enough ding I can't see it being easy to make it look like new with that wood grain your never gonna get a perfect match. Yup the Timbertec boards are much better now but with the wood being so strong the glass is light so if they get any sand outs in the process etc it can leak to the wood and delaminate in a sever case. Most of the time you probably never have any problems but the Thunderbolt tech would be my choice. Other models hard to say. If you can afford the GEM or Special T in Thunderbolt I think it would be hard to go wrong. If you dont mind a traditional PU Steve Morris is a fantastic shaper and craftsman and good to deal with up your way he could make you a custom Fusion, Fusion pro blend or even something a little more traditional. the Torq Do gets very good feedback too if you want to spend a bit less.

@lawson45uk

2 жыл бұрын

@@veronikasola5058 Were you set more on the GEM or the Special T in the end?

@veronikasola5058

2 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk hi! What about CJ Nelson? Exit Surf has a few , here is what i found. The Special T probably sounds like me at this stage :) yes somehow Thunderbolt sounds more safe long term:) CJ NELSON GUERRERO THUNDERBOLT SILVER - CLEAR/BLACK 9'6 CJ NELSON CLASSIC THUNDERBOLT SILVER - RED 9'5 CJ NELSON HAVEN THUNDERBOLT RED - BLACK TINT 9'1

Great review. Any advice re length? I know litres and size is v important with shortboards, but what's the significance with a longboard? I think the gem comes in a range of sizes from about 8'3" up to well over 9'. Is the size meant to be in proportion to your height and/or weight? I'm 6'3" and 86kg.. thanks

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Hi mate… Yeah in general a longboard that you are wanting to ride and function like a longboard (Small to medium waves, good paddle and glide, be able to nose ride if desired etc) would be between 9’0” and 9’6” as a rule of thumb. Anything south of that is getting into not quite a longboard for paddle and glide territory (maybe a really light rider or a learner or a one board quiver for an average Rider or a midlength/small longboard or something to function slightly differently accepting less paddle and glide and smaller wave performance) and anything north is going to get pretty cumbersome and clunky or it’s a specific nose rider, small wave design, or even a glider etc. For you on this board I would go 9’1” or 9’5” I’m the same weight and no bother at all on the 9’1” but being quite tall you may or may not prefer the 9’5” depending on what your trying to achieve… If you want a more performance ride and your not looking to ride it in super tiny waves probably the 9’1” if you want an all rounder that will still ride pretty small waves maybe the 9’5” would suit you well. It’s not a huge jump in volume but for your height maybe you might prefer the 9’5” depends on what you want and what your used to really. Hope that helps.. Oh and if you can get it and afford the Thunderbolt tech I would lean towards that over the timbertek if its an option. Timber teck is fine too but can have issues as some are lightly glassed and sand outs let water get at the wood and they can delaminate. I have had 6 timbertek boards and only had an issue with 1 but just something to be aware of. They might have sorted this over the years too.. Cheers.

@lejimmy

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk excellent response. Many thanks!

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

@@lejimmy All good mate. Let me know how you get on.

@lejimmy

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk I'm currently trying to decide between a 9'1" timbertek (that's the only construction I can get) and a similar sized nigel semmens performance mal - described as 'A responsive, performance board to be ridden aggressively by good mal riders and smaller surfers. With low volume rails it has a single concave in the nose through to a gentle rolled V and a double concave out of a V in the tail.' hmm.... what to do?

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

@@lejimmy Hi Jim.. Just had a look on the web for the NS Performance Mal. Dont know anything about the shaper or his boards but the shape looks nice and the concaves sounds good. Hard to tell from pictures but Looks to have a slightly more pulled in tail and has probably a little more rocker than the Gem and it's definitely got less volume so probably a little more on the performance side.. Could be something close to the Skindog Blander I have and have reviewed.. That's another excellent board but needs a little more of a wave than the Gem to get the best out of it. didin't want to put you off the TimberTek either I have had lots that have felt great and been really durable just the odd one can have issues but if you take lots of pictures and look out for any sand outs you should be ok. TimberTeck is excellent value a lot of the time too we can score one for way less than thunderbold

Is the version in thunderbolt technology better than the timbertek version? There is a big difference in price.

@lawson45uk

2 жыл бұрын

Hey mate. Yeah I personally like the thunderbolt but for sure the timber tech would get you the same board and save a lot of cash the thunderbolt isn’t 30% better like it’s pricing but it is really nice tech very well made and super poppy. Lighter and more flex in general. TT is heavier. If you look back through the comments I have written an essay or two for a couple of other guys so if you want a little more detail have a look through the comments. Cheers.

Try the TJ Future fins in it and it will really come alive.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Oh they are good are they.. Nice ... and Dang too.. I could have gotten the set from surfstitch in the sale a while back but thought the curve on the fin looked a bit funny and the sides looked too big. Sounds like it likes to drive off that kind of set up..Mind you a few of the local guys use that kind of thing on thier TJ pros too and live them but there much better surfers than me.Thanks for your comment.. Will keep an eye out for those fins if they come ip cheap again..

@gmick52

5 жыл бұрын

Have to agree, I had a chat with Taylor some years back and he stated the all timber tech boards in length should be knitted out with TJ Pro Sets as the boxes were designed for them. I have plenty riding these in State Titles that agree. Getting a 9'8" over to WA soon to try out.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

@@gmick52 Hi Gary. Thanks for the comments. That's awesome that you had some info straight from the man himself.. I'm super gutted I did't pick that set up on special now i was just a bit unsure on the shape of them and big side bites. It was half price too :-( Seems to be that the very good surfers actually like to run the side bites quite large. To power off the rail I guess. Firewire and Dan Mann both state that the fin position is to suit what Taylor likes so makes sense that that's why. The boxes were definitely more forward than the fin in the wingnut. Thanks for adding your comments much appreciated.

Hey mate, are you still riding this board? Any updates on your thoughts about it? I'm looking for a good allrounder semi performance board. I'm 196cm 100kg. Looking at the 9'5" Gem in Thunderbolt black.

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Ivan. No I swapped this out for my Skindog Blender. That’s thunderbolt full carbon. A bit more performance but I still have a Wingnut Noserider and a board I made myself for the smaller slower waves. Really exciting to see the Gem come out in Thunderbolt tech though as I think that will step the board design up another notch in performance. I think the Gem is still an excellent design and option for an all rounder that’s not too HP to ride weak waves and not so Flat or Traditional to ride better waves. The special T is a really nice board too but Gem sounds like a good one for what your describing. Few other nice options in the Thunderbolt range too but I would definitely recommend a GEM and the Thunderbolt Tech. Cheers

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Pop over to my Instagram if your interested in boards I have been making. I post some pictures of the builds there go_surf_nz

@ivanbonus1934

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Have you tried boards in both Black and Red thunderbolts? Be interesting to see someone compare the same board in red and black. I think the Blender may be a little small, I'd like something with a little more volume. Had my current board for about 25 years, it's 9'5"x16x22x13.Fixed 2 plus single in a box. Have just got back on it after a 5 year break and really found my love of surfing again. I'm also about 20kg heavier than what I was when I bought it all those years ago. My idea was to get something around the 9'5" but also get a a big log around the 11" like a Munoz Ultraglide for the really small days.

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

@@ivanbonus1934 I have ridden both tech but the older versions and in different boards my children Nelson was the equivalent of the red I think it is. Fiber glass laminated that's heavier and more like a slightly more traditional feel with a bit more weight momentum and glide and cuts through chop a little better so well suited to all rounders and more retro. The skindog is in the full Carbon which I think is the black. Lighter very poppy and lively paddles great for its volume and had a stiffer kind or laid and release so really well suited to more performance boards and probably ideally slightly better waves too. The blender paddles batter that a tuflite I used to have that was 3 litres more and less rocker. I think your Probably along the right lines with the gem then it's still not huge on volume. Looks like it's basically the 9'1" elongated. Cooks be some good options for your cruiser with FireWire too but the thunderbolt boards aren't cheap. If you want glide and small wave trim too the wingnut is fairly flat and carries a lot of volume even at 9'4" but yeah the Munoz etc are usually pretty packed out for making something out of noting too. Let me know how you go. You might be fine with that red thunderbolt gem. Full carbon is nice but if you get a lot of chop or used to a board with weight it's possible it takes a little more getting used to. I love mine in full carbon but depends on what suits you too. The new new ones since FireWire owned have been coming in very light almost too light depending on your preference. Let me Know how you get on

I bought a 9’5 Thunderbolt. I’m a bigger guy at 220lbs and 6 foot tall. The board is 72 liters and barley floats me. Extremely hard to paddle. Probably would have to drop 20lbs or so to be able to paddle this board.

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Hi David. Sorry to hear that. The GEM is a little more of a performance design by nature so would be volume towards the lower end but 72 Litres should be ok to float your 220 for a performance board. I know a local guy that goes good on a Torque Don and I was very surprised he was riding the 64 Litre model he would be at least the same weight. Are you looking for something at the performance end of the scale? Maybe you could be looking at something like a wingnut or one of the newer CJ models to get you some more volume and having at least 23 width Might help you too? Firewires volume calculator would be based on shortboards but I would have thought around 76-80 for a more all round and cruisy board and that 72-76 ish for a more performance based design for your weight.. Obviously waves and ability come into it but I’m guessing your intermediate on average waves like most of us? Maybe the shop you got it from might help you out in some way if your not happy with the result. Anyways sorry to hear it’s not a good match and hope you can get into something more suitable for you. You need to be happy with your equipment and catching plenty of waves to keep it fun.

@natasdave81

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk I like the longboard setups with 2+1. This board paddles like a short board. I pretty much sink it almost when paddling even with the nose barely out of the water. I’m looking for a board that can handle small days to double overhead if not a little bit more. Also want to get into nose riding as well. Eventually when I’m ready I will make small steps down. Going from a 10 foot foam board to this was too much of a step. I can hold my own in 8 foot waves on a foam board. Lol. So I’m looking for something can handle a little bit of everything. 23 1/4 inch width would probably suit me better as I’m a bit wide in the shoulders.

@lawson45uk

3 жыл бұрын

Oh wow.. A 10’ Foamy… Foamys are usually loaded with volume.. 9’0”;s can have near 90 litres so yeah your going from a boat to a board I guees 😉 Not sure it’s a 2 plus one but maybe something like a parallax there pretty big on volume and reasonably performance orientated and would nose ride too. Could also look at something like a Takayama in the pink those those are a little bulky in the nose they paddle well and I think the bigger models pack good volume.Either way your gonna have to be realistic that your going to lose some volume over a 10’ foamy but hopefully gain a lot of performance. Be interested to hear how you get on. At least there are some decent high volume performers around these days.9’6” Aloha Fun division a good cheaper high volume all round performer option.. Be keen to hear how you get on. Hope you get something that works for you in the end.

@natasdave81

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk I surfed before and had two different actual boards. One was a Haut 9'6. and the other was Channel Islands Custom 7'6. Of course back then I was 185lbs. 6 years later and at 39 years old I feel I'd be rushing it to go back to those types of boards. There's a local shop here in Santa Cruz that will do a straight trade for a bard new board. Surfboard name is Cruz. They make bunch of different styles of boards. Maybe after 6 months on the board I end up getting I will look at stepping down in size. Thinking I may start with a 10 or 9 foot performance (not High Performance) board. I will keep you posted.

@gregn8206

2 жыл бұрын

Hey David, that's scary because I am your size and was really looking forward to trying out a 9'5" thunderbolt. What did you end going with? I thought I would be good since Taylor himself is a pretty big guy, unlike say Harly Ingleby.

Hey bro, cheers for your videos! Could you give me some advice on which board to buy? Having some trouble deciding. First longboard, wanting an all-rounder, I'm beginner/int, 6ft2 105kg. Love the look of the Timberteks and have a 6'8" Firewire Dominator. Cheers Niz

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Nigel Humffreys Hi Mate. Well really depends on what you want to achieve, what waves you ride, how easy you want wave catching to be, how long you want your board to be, if you want a single fin or a 2+1 etc etc .. If you want an all rounder leaning to the performance side at your height and weight your probably best with a 9’5” Gem. If you want a single fin all rounder maybe the special T at 9’6” or 9’3” If your riding more of the smaller more mellow end of the wave range or want to keep the board as short as you can or want a wave catching machine the Wingnuts go really well but not sure I would call it quite as much of an all rounder. It’s super smooth, turns well and has a lot of speed and glide but it’s a fairly flat rocker and a bit bigger nose so takes a bit of getting used to. It’s my favourite for under head high waves locally where the waves are pretty slow and flat faced then if it’s more punchy or chest high plus I would switch to the GEM. You could possibly get away with a Wingnut at 9’0” but a 9’6” would be a great board for your weight and at the smaller to meduim end of the wave range.. Hope that helps a little.. Hit me back if you want anything more specific.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Nigel Humffreys a 9'6" special T would probably do you really well if your still at the beginner improver stage. It's very easy to ride and covers most of the waves your likely to come across knee high to overhead

@nizzalotti

5 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Thanks for this. I'm probably leaning to the Gem. I'm looking at a great deal on a 9'1" version at the moment and may give it a punt. My Dominator is 50lt so hoping 67lt in a log will be sufficient.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Nigel Humffreys yeah sweet if you don't mind a bit more effort on the paddling side the 9'1" gem is one of the best longboards I have ever ridden. At your weight and height the 9'1" Gem will pretty much a performance longboard .. That's not a bad thing at all but just important to bare in mind. I would ride 42 litres in a dominator and the GEM would be an all round leabibg towards performance longboard for me. All longboards paddle well though so the 9'1" gem would allow you to get pretty progressive. Will just loose a bit of grovel power for you. If your happy with it being for say 2ft and up and having to put some paddle effort in it will be all good.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Nigel Humffreys I could ride my gem in knee to waist high though so don't let me put you off and the gem isn't too far behind the other models at 9'0" in paddle power so if your happy down at that size and volume it's a great board and also very user friendly and easy to ride.

Hi Great review ! Maybe you can help me as an firewire expert :) I looking to buy a longboard for the small days I surf shortboards for 10 years I tried my friend gem 9.1 and really like it... But i want 9.0 with more volume What will be more similar, the wingnut or spiceal t Also, i can get a good deal on a Walden magic 9.0 (poly) any thoughts compering to the other moddels i mention? I will really appreciate your input...

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

Hi mate... Owned all of the above and not a bad board in there to be honest so you can't really go wrong..If you like the Gem but looking for more volume at the least sacrifice in performance and still easy to ride with a great wave range the Special T would probably get the nod. Wingnut would catch more waves and glides really nicely whilst still turning off the tail but does have a flatter rocker and smaller sweet spot and it's also heavier and carries more board and volume up front. Waldens are a great all rounder depending on who makes the boards there can be a few concerns. I'm no a fan of most global surf industries builds myself as had bad experiences with them not being durable and having defects but the Timberteck is also not perfect if your unlucky enough to get one with sand outs that you dont realise are letting water in..Saying that both my wingnuts and the Special T were perfect and have a good feel and lasted super well so it's probably the exception and unlucky if you do have problems. Hope that all helps. Personally I would say the Special T would be the No.1 pick for what you are describing. Hope that helps. Cheers.

@orenreibenbach8909

4 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Thank you so much for the detailed answer! Can you tell me the pros and Cons of the walden magic (polyrsyer U.S made board) vs The spiceal t I can get the walden for really good price But really like the firewire...

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

@@orenreibenbach8909 Yeah it's a pretty timeless board the Walden, from the same era as the McTavish Fireball and they are still around and going well and if it's a US PU Poly that's not out of china even better. Not sure who does actually make them there.. Hopefully Steve Walden still :-) It's been a long time since I had the Walden so hard to give you really accurate information when your getting down to that last 5-10% difference between boards but if anything some of the boards of that design era might have a little more pulled in tails and possibly a little more rocker though i'm pretty sure the Walden is aimed fairly squarely at being an all rounder with enough drive and go for average waves and it will likely have an option of side bites as well as single fin which you might like the ride of. The Special T is designed around being a single fin. Waldens concaves and the board design was way ahead if it's time and has endured the test of time but it's hard to say if things have moved on significantly since then or not without actually riding them side by side now.. I think at the time I was less into longboards so probably mainly that and the fact they were china made versions but I don't remember the Walden having as much of an impact on me being stoked on it as the Special T but A PU USA made Walden Magic would certainly be a fantastic all round longboard and very desirable in my mind think it's down to your choice and your budget really.. One thing I suppose is that if you get a Walden at a great price in the highly unlikely event it's not the right board for you you won't have a problem selling it on and won't have lost much money?? I would suspect the Walden will have a larger nose than the special T too so depending on if you plan to nose ride a lot or are wanting to learn to that could possibly factor in too.. Rally no bad board out of them mate maybe just have a look at both and think about your riding and the waves you intend to ride and go with what you like best.. Pay attention to the tail and rocker especially as if your riding smaller weaker waves not too much rocker and not too pulled in a tail might be good for you. Sorry that's a bit of a ramble but at some stage it's down to what you want and what you want to spend.. Be keen to hear which one you get and how you like it :-) I can definitely recommend the Special T as it's basically what you described initially the walden also an excellent board but just dont remember as much of if to be more helpfull with a comparison sorry

@orenreibenbach8909

4 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Hi there The walden is no go... Somebody bought it already. Now considering going a bit Longer Maybe spiceal t 9.3 or the tj Everyday 9.4. From my understanding the Special t is more user friendly And traditional style... And the tj everday is more all Arounder Too many options!!! :-)

@orenreibenbach8909

4 жыл бұрын

@@lawson45uk Hi Thanks again for all the info I went with the special t 9.3 I will get it next week :) I want to order the greenough 4a fin Im 74 kg Which size should i take, 9 or the 9.75 ?

Thanks for this review, do you know how much this model weights?

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy. I dont sorry could do a weigh for you if you really want just might be a few days before I can let you know. I would expect it's down around 6-7kg ish maybe its lighter than the Wingnut and the Special T but not as light as the TJ Pro if that's any help. Cheers.

@AndyIriks

5 жыл бұрын

GO SURF Cheers mate, I wouldn’t mind if you can. I’ve called Firewire and they can’t tell me. My 9’ Wingnut has got some water in it so I’m trying to get an accurate read on how much it needs to dry out by weight. Thanks.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

@@AndyIriks Hey mate sorry for the delay been away from home for a long weekend. The Gem is coming in a around 7.5-8kg with fins and leash so I would expect around 8 on the Wingnut for the board on it's own I would say it's maybe.5-1kg heavier than the gem from what I remember. Cheers and how did you get on so far?

@AndyIriks

5 жыл бұрын

GO SURF Cheers mate, loving your reviews. I get exciting about boards also. 🤙🏽 I sent the board of for repair, it’s been out of the water for about a month now. Weighed in at 7.5kg in the end so that sounds like most of the water is gone. Thanks for the tip.

@lawson45uk

5 жыл бұрын

@@AndyIriks Ah cool mate that's good to hear I would say you got all the water out by the sounds of that. Nice. Hope it comes back looking like new. Timbertecs are nice looking boards. Ha ha yeah I think i get too excited about boards sometimes.. More like an unhealthy obsession for me :-) lol Thanks for your support mate.

Ah no another choice 😂 almost got the tj pro too

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

Lol Yeah the Gem is a good one. This and if you want light and high performance but will still go in an average wave the Skindog blender is hard to beat. Full carbon construction very light and lively... Check out my review on that too

@kpj5

4 жыл бұрын

GO SURF I need a longboard that I don’t have to worry too much about rocks.. so no to carbon. So Gem looks a better choice than a TJ Pro looking for shoulder high to knee high... sooo much choice 😂

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

@@kpj5 The full carbon is actually really durable but yeah if you do crack or smash it it could be an expensive repair. the Timbertek Hmmm if you ding it or smash it on rocks the wood will soak up and it might delaminate.. Fact some of them do anyways from what I have heard but not had any problems myself appart from one baord the standard thunderbolt would be a good choice it's more like the old surftechs Sorry to make your choice more complicated but if you have concerns it's best to be informed on what will and mihgt not bee ideal :-)

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

@@kpj5 Yeah Gem or Blender in the normal Thunderbolt would be great I rekon.. Timbertech is Strong but it's only got a really light layer of resin and glass before the water gets to the wood so one ding scrape or a badly made build with sand outs in it and the wood is taking on water and it's starting to delaminate before you even know it.. Happened on my first GEM

@lawson45uk

4 жыл бұрын

@@kpj5 Yeah TJ Pro is mare shoulder high up for sure