When you look at a Hybrid (like the Bruce Jones Hybrid) and an Egg (like a Becker LC-3), it’s easy to see the differences in the outlines of the two boards. But what’s the difference in how they surf and in the conditions they are designed for? Someone told me that a Hybrid was for “bettter waves” and an Egg was better at surfing in sloppy conditions. If you were going to buy one to surf california beachbreak, which would you get? I ask this because I am going to get a shorter board than my 9’10" longboard, and these are the two kinds of shapes I’m looking at. The 9’10" is just too much sometimes for punchy beach break, at least for me.
Defining the categories you’ve chosen is not as simple as it seems. If you factor in single fin hulls as “eggs”, you’ve probably included a third category.
For what it’s worth, the Infinity “Secret Weapon” might be worth a look. Steve Boehne is one of the few who are bringing some thickness to the table - your paddling won’t suffer.
I’d have to say that the difference is that a “hybrid” is a stretched out shortboard, with a little more volume in it. It usually has a decent amount of rocker and less volume in the nose than an egg. An egg has a round nose and a round or rounded pintail which would make it better for better waves.
From what I have seen, hybrid has always discribed a board that was wider and thicker than a regular shorty and was rounded at the very tip of the nose for looks, but still with a pretty narrow nose maybe 12’’ to 13.5’'.
Eggs for the most part look like round double enders. The absolute best Egg I have ever seen is shaped by Steve Forstall of Florida. He also does a nice square tailed hybrid. I always thought eggs skated through sections rather than carved as opposed to hybrids which seems to carve more. Needless to say, I think the nugget outline works well as a go between from shorty to hybrid (which is probably what it would be called if it had not been named)
I really like eggs alot though because they are really balanced for different types of surfing.
Thanks John. An interesting read for sure. It doesn’t discuss eggs specifically, but it does talk about Hybrids. I just don’t know which way to go, as I’m not able to rent either type to try out. Everybody just has softops or epoxy performance longboards for rent. I’m leaning toward the Hybrid as I want some more confidence it taking off on steeper waves. It seems that the nose of an egg is much like a longboard, and that the outline & extra rocker of a Hybrid nose may give me the boost I need. I have heard good things about the Secret Weapon, but it seems like such a “big” board with the thickness, I’m not sure.
Eggs are usually rounded on both ends and have about the same nose and tail widths. I have a beautiful 7’ egg that is not only a longboard replacement, current everyday board, AND a super fun performance machine.
Having surfed both. I have to say that for just pure fun it’s hard to beat the egg. I needs to be sized right for you but it’s a great all around board configuration. When the surf gets more demanding and the waves start pounding I switch to a hybrid just because It’s easier to handle in steep sections and punch through the close out and they duck dive much better. It’s all about what kind of conditions you’ll be in most of the time.
Thanks Halcyon, I appreciate the comparison. Now I feel like I need both I think I’m just going to have to flip a coin, but I am leaning more toward the hybrid. My only hesitation is that I don’t want something I have to pump all the time. I still want to be able to get some glide & trim, which I know I could get from an egg, and I think I could get from the right hybrid.
i suggest going to liddlesurfboards.com.read his story then take a look at the in -betweener model.i ride his full round nosed boards in all kinds of surf and rarely have a problem with the nose area.however, his beweener or island model might fit the bill for you.his boards are foiled in such a way that they retain volume for flotation buit have thin rails.
As Rich said "[=1]It's all about what kind of conditions you'll be in most of the time."[ 2] But you can consider something between both worlds.[/][/]
I had a 6'5'' egg that had an egg outline with a rail/volume configuration really close to my actual "Mongrel". So i was able to duck dive it, and it held better than an standard egg, but it still had a trim and glide really close to an egg, so i was able to surf without pumping, just driving the board. Mine had an FCS tri fin configuration, but i would go for a center bahne box + 2 Futures side boxes, for sure.
Rob, i saw a photo of your board before, i think, maybe in the "Fin theory" thread, a really nice board, it seems really fun in a lot of conditions. Thanks for the picture.
Good waves!
I was out last night, and the first thirty minutes of the session were great on my long board. But as the tide started sucking out more, the waves were jacking up faster, and were really moving quickly. I found it hard on my 9’10" to get ahead of the wave enough to get some decent rides. That’s one of the main situations I’m thinking of the new board for.
The “Eggs” and the Hybrids I’ve been looking at are much longer than 6’5". Both the Bruce Jones & the Becker LC-3 and the Dave Martinez Funboard (Outlaw surfboards, I think) were about 8’. As far as fins, the Outlaw Hybrid/Fun board I looked at had a thruster setup, but the sales guy at the store was recommending exactly what you said: bigger center box with side bites. I guess it’s to put a bigger center fin in if you want.
It’s a normal Gary Hanel egg. Mine is 7’. Gary showed me a nice 6’ egg shaped blank. I just told him my weight, desired length, and typical waves. Gary is based in Leucadia so there should be lots of GH boards in San Diego.
I think I’m just going to have to flip a coin, but I am leaning more toward the hybrid. My only hesitation is that I don’t want something I have to pump all the time. I still want to be able to get some glide & trim, which I know I could get from an egg, and I think I could get from the right hybrid.