Phase 5 Ahi vs. Hyperlite Varials

[steakNshake]

Just curious if anyone has tried out the p5 Ahi yet ... I rode the 2 varials from hyperlite and they were ridiculously fast and responsive, but are more $$ than the p5.

[imhoff]

I'm in the same situation, I had my eye on the Ahi until I rode the varials last week, both were amazing boards! Did you have a preference between the two?

[steakNshake]

It was a hyperlite demo outing on a G23, so i was trying all their boards. It all happened so fast haha, I tried some slower boards first, which probably made the varials seem extra fast. They were very similar to be honest, I rode the 4'6 exacta with the 2 outer fins only and the 4'8 Trifecta, same setup. The trifecta was just a little smoother and stable, but just slightly, and it could've been the that is was slightly larger and the fins were slightly larger too. The rep was telling me the 4'6 exacta with the larger fins might be the way to go. But to be honest, i really need to get 5 runs on each again before i'm sure.

[imhoff]

Were you with Thad and Jimmy?

[steakNshake]

Haha, sure was. Everyone on the boat loved the varial boards, but probably couldn't tell you which one they liked better.

[imhoff]

Agreed, it was hard to tell as they were both amazing. I personally would lean towards the trifecta... Hopefully someone weights in with Ahi experience!

[BigEasy]

I just bought a Ahi for my daughter yesterday. I have no experience with either and I have the P5 wire. Once I ride Ahi maybe I can tell you a little.

[steakNshake]

I got to ride thse 3 boards for the weekend. If you doing like reading, at the end of this I will say the Varial is the way to go

My opinions are below. It really depends on skill level and wave size. One board can be great on a big wave, but horrible on a small one, so many factors. I have a GS22 with extra ballast, so the wave is pretty powerful.

Ahi - Super floaty, feels big, great for a beginner and small wave, just not maneuverable enough for me..
Racer - This thing lived up to the name, it is so fast, at the back wave you can pump once and then fly up to the back of the boat ... great for 360s and transitioning to the other side of the wave. It's more agile than the Ahi, but not as much as the varial
Varial - Unmatched as far as response and maneuverability in my opinion. You can thrash on this thing ... it's about 15% slower than the phase 5 racer, but I'm a big guy and just might need the next size up with the 4.5 fins instead of 3.5.

Happy to answer more Qs on them if anyone is interested.

[imhoff]

I'm guessing it's a typo, but you meant the Phase Five Race, right? Any idea what sizes you were riding? Which varial were on you (did it have a smooth back or the angled (trifecta)). Thanks for the info!

[TGoss]

you guys seem knowledgeable on the boards....can you make a recommendation to me. My daughter is 27...been surfing for 2 years. she started with a Liquid Force Primo and loved it until she tried my Phase 5 Model X. (58). She loves the speed and maneuverability of this board...it makes her Primo seem like a slow barge. The 58 is probably too big for her. Do you recommend any other Phase 5 models? She is close to landing a 360 but not there yet.

thanks

[steakNshake]

Haha, a typo for sure, we started calling it the speed racer board, so that must have stuck in my head

Phase 5 Ahi - 58'
Phase Race - 56.5'
Varial - was the 4'8 Exacta (angled tail) ... I'm 195lb so i might be pushing the volume on that size ... i'm going to try and get on a 5'0 and see if the speed then matches the race board. Could also just be bigger fins on the 4'8 too, but all around fun thraser.

[steakNshake]

you guys seem knowledgeable on the boards....can you make a recommendation to me. My daughter is 27...been surfing for 2 years. she started with a Liquid Force Primo and loved it until she tried my Phase 5 Model X. (58). She loves the speed and maneuverability of this board...it makes her Primo seem like a slow barge. The 58 is probably too big for her. Do you recommend any other Phase 5 models? She is close to landing a 360 but not there yet.

thanks

I've only tried the 2 phase 5 boards mentioned above unfortunately. I've only been surfing for about 3 months and I landed the 360 and the wave side switch on both the race and the varial ... so i'm now attached emotionally to both of those boards for the time being haha. sometimes better equipment actually makes you better

[steakNshake]

Adding to this, Just tried a SoulCraft SOS board today, and i'm a fan. It fits right in between the P5 Race and Trifecta for me, so slightly less drive than the trifecta (not sure any board can match the shreddage on that board) and slightly slower than the P5 Race (just barely) ... a great all around board. Going to keep this one in my quiver for sure!

[GMLIII]

Just curious if anyone has tried out the p5 Ahi yet ... I rode the 2 varials from hyperlite and they were ridiculously fast and responsive, but are more $$ than the p5.

I have a Phase 5 Ahi and love it . Great board for the big guy and fast