I think its in litres?
In my opinion more volume does not always = easier to paddle. Depends on the length and shape too.

It is in litres.

If you like your other board then I am almost certain there are a whole lot of other things that will be doing that than just the volume. Rail volume, amount of edge, rocker, type of bottom, plan shape for instance.

If paddling is your main concern, loosely more volume equals more paddle, but, having said that, width makes a significant contribution too as it equates to surface area. More width gets you up to speed faster. So a slightly wider, but thinner board may paddle equally well or better. However, width also has effects on performance.

As a guide, a lot of people will go wider before they go thicker. Personally, I have kept a VERY similar outline and rocker for the last 13 years, but increased thickness incrementally and played with my bottoms.

Do you want to try something different? Get the board.

Do you want something similar? Then your best chance is to go to a shaper and tell them what you like and why and what you don't like. Let them figure out what they need to do. Upgrade your glass job too while you are there - your not good enough to notice the difference but it will be a lot stronger.

I reckon variety is the spice of life so all my 6'6" boards (8 of them) go different and it teaches me different ways to surf and lets me go to different places on waves.

Everyone should try channels at least once.

I don't know much but I have 2 boards, both 6' and same dimensions. One has less volume due to thinner nose and tail width.

I find it handles alot better and duck dives alot easier!

Dunno if that has to do with volume or shape though!

The FireWire website has a volume calculator on it and it works very well.

CMC said...

doggie said...

The FireWire website has a volume calculator on it and it works very well.

I just checked that out, found my ideal volume. Went back to the boards I liked and looked at dimensions I would normally want to ride. They were all within the recommendation.

It is a good tool this one. Good site.

When I was looking at the 6,4 Taj FW I found that on the site, spot on for the board that I got. We used it for one of my mates last week, he is only a little bloke and he is looking at the 5,11 Taj as well.

doggie said...

The FireWire website has a volume calculator on it and it works very well.

I reckon the calculator is a bit on the high side.
The volume it recommended for me results in a 2 3/4 thick flexfire. That would be a boat.
Sometimes volume is a bit counterintuitive....once you get too much volume in a board it becomes a boat and gets stuck in the lip on takeoff. 2 1/2 is generally an ok thickness for most surfers.
Mals are a different story.

I wanted to really hate that volume calculator, but it popped out with a minimum and maximum that had my present volume falling right in the middle. Then I looked at the dimensions and they were pretty close too. A little wider and a little thinner, but pretty close and, as I explained above, I prefer to add a little thickness rather than width.

The calculator works well for my money.

Not so sure how it works for semi-guns and guns but they are pretty specialised equipment.

jbshack said...

PaddlePig said...

I don't know much about boards and volume but I have learnt that having a little extra under the chest is what suits me best. It helps in two reasons, firstly it helps the paddle because it is under your chest. Secondly, it seems to help the board respond and accelerate when you stomp the front foot (in Perth small waves).

I am also a big fan of padding around the chest

Moobs?