Acceptable boards

[corviuscorvax]

Finances are tight at the moment, and I'm looking to get a dedicated EC board now or during the summer for next year. I currently ride a Donek FC Metal 171, with a variable sidecut of 11 up front, 13 on the tail. The board has a 20cm waist.

First, I cannot get my angles as low as I would like on the 20 cm waist. I have MP27 UPZ boots, which helps (shorter sole I think) but I can really only do 56* up front and 54* in the back, and that is with some upper boot overhang (around the ankle area on heelside, the boot goes over the side of the board).

Second, I think the variable sidecut is really screwing things up for me...I start the turns more on the tail, and progrssively move to 50/50. I think this change, along with the varied sidecut, is making my turns more like "J's" than like "C's" (the beginning feels fine but the last half of the turn is super quick).

SO! I would like a wider waist board with a solid 12-13m sidecut.

With money as it is, I can't afford a swoard at this point (though I have been checking the for sale sections). I am not opposed to used. Can anyone recommend a board that would be more attainable (maybe in the $500 range? I would be selling my Donek to fund the purchase)? I have read about the Coiler EX and the Donek Blade, and would certainly consider one, but they almost never come up on the for sale section either here or on bomber.

Thank you all for the help

[joemzl]

Some questions: why do you use such a stiff board? Going so fast, or riding very soft slopes?
Your hight and weight?
Shipping to the US?

[Abrax]

It's far better to go with used Swoard and then after a season proceed with a new one, than going with any other board available on the market. Simply. It's mainly because the other companies still try to copy the board and the effect is somewhere there near the Swoard's GENII. This info is based on solid comparisons between the other boards and the Swoard GENIV made just a week ago on our slopes. They did succeed with the shape and the sidecut radius, but the real inside of the GENIV board is still a mystery for them.
First of all you will get the right turn feeling despite the fact that the GEN3 was so much different, then after purchasing the GENIV you will get the best weapon to deal with the C turns
Going SWOARD -> will cause that: reaction will be better, turn feeling, the edge grip with very highly angulated board - those are main factors which keeps this so fascinating.
I don't know which board could be bought instead of Swoard. Probably some hand made custom board regarding your height and weight but the money would be much higher.
So please consider that going with Swoard let's you choose from 12 different flexes causing the choice so easy and predictable.
Yes there are cheaper boards, but they don't give you as much when it comes to riding feelings nor the possibility to choose the board that much designed to fit your parameters ...

[corviuscorvax]

I use a stiff board because i wanted to try a metal board and got a good deal on it. Otherwise, because of my weight its hard to find suitable used boards. Either way, it's not working that well for ec

Looks like i am going to grab a new swoard. If i could find a used 168m it might work, but i think i should be going for the 168s? The website says to go for the softer, but i tend to ride very aggressively. If i sell some equipment i should be able to make a new one affordable.

Thank you for the info on the other makers, i was wondering about the comparison.

[corviuscorvax]

oops - missed two questions:

height 70 inches / 177.8cm
weight 145lbs / 65.77kg

and yes, shipping would be to the US.

[Arnaud]

You forgot to mention your feet size. Important to advice you the best board.

[corviuscorvax]

That's what I get for posting surreptitiously at work
Now that I'm home:

I have UPZ RC10's size MP27, I believe the sole length is 299mm

[Arnaud]

MP 27, size 178 cm, 66kg , ride very aggressively : a 168M is good for you.

Arnaud