Got a mandala quad a few months ago (5’11 x 20.5 x 2 5/8). The board rips; it slices, it dices, it is super-fast and fun.
I like it so much that I haven’t surfed anything else since. I just love the feeling I get on the board; it makes me smile.
Now that the surf is picking up, I am looking for another board – something to ride in bigger (6-8’) beach break and point surf (e.g., el porto, silver strand, c-street, etc.) Something that will have the speed and fun factor of the quad. I already have two thrusters (see below). Thinking about a five-fin Bonzer from the Cambells.
Feedback please.
My current “quiver” (if you can call it that) is as follows"
A Campbell 5 fin would be good. Pointblanks is in your area as well, they make some really nice fast stuff. Rocket Sled, Quark, Mako, Mini Gun… all in XPS & epoxy and handmade. Customs are the same price as rack boards. Anything is available with 5 fins too…www.pointblanks.com
I hear from the guys in Ventura that they were made for primarily for bigger stuff. Maybe closer to your Manny than a 5 fin bonzer although a Point Blanks 5 fin gun/mingun would be nice in some juice.
Almost bought a used one (Max Mcdonald) a month or so ago.
Thanks on the good news regarding the Manny Quad performance, can’t wait till mine finally shows up here one of these days. But of course we’re expecting 30-50 foot faces here tomorrow, may even hold the Eddie.
Having owned both, 5 fin bonzer and the Rocketfish, here’s my recommendation. The Bonzer would definitely be my choice for El Porto and Silverstrand. They’re both heavy, hollow waves with lots of speed which is the type of wave this board excels in. I always feel like I have a strong confidence factor when riding this board at these places. On the other hand, I LOVE to ride my 6’7" Rocketfish at The Point, The Wall, Little Rincon, and Rincon. It offers the ability to beat those close out sections, snap under the lip and still glide over the flat spots. Especially at The Point. (You know that transition from Middles to First Lot, just in front of the showers? Cake!)
Of course they make Bonzers in every shape imaginable so it’s really up to you. Mine was a 7’, 5 fin, semi gun made specifically for Shores and Silverstrand and it never let me down.
Considering a diamond tail bonzer 6’8" x 20.25 x 2.5 ish. Maybe a Beatty Rocketfish next.
Anyone know what the wait time is on a custom from the Cambells? I plan to be surfing in the Ventura area the next few days so i’ll stop by the Ventura Surf Shop.
Go to www.bonzer5.com then select Contacts. You can send an email to Malcom or try calling the phone numbers listed at the bottom of the page. Cool website! They’ve done a nice job of upgrading it. Lots of good Bonzer history including the people that have helped push it along.