@N00N00
I was looking for a board for the same conditions you described last autumn.
I was short before ordering a Placid 8'10, but TR3 construction, delivery times and price put me off, not talking about XXX off which a Sunova rep i talked too wanted me too stay away from (balsa availability, price premium, TR3 is as good etc.)
Also i was looking at the big brands offerings, but especially the claimed weights f?r Fanatic, Naish, JP etc. put me off.
So i bought a Quatro Glide 8'6 Pro and i'm really happy with this board, perfect for my/your conditions, with 7,8 kg really light, and so far no signs of wear (scratches, dings, paddle marks etc.)
The Quatro Sups esp. the Glide aren't discussed much in this forum, some threads mention the Carve, but the Glide is a top allroundboard in good construction imo.
Hi, similar problem here. I wanted something for my local UK NE coast conditions (Saltburn). When its on here it can be epic (relatively speaking), however most of the time it's North Sea mess - windy, chop (very choppy) etc. Wanted a stable board that could could cover most of the conditions I face. I went with a 'local' supplier in the NE. Board is 9' 'fishy' outline 150ltr (big volume I know, I'm 6'3 and 86kg) but it is super stable, loads of glide and is very lively off the tail. Unexpected bonus, punching out through the white stuff is a revelation. I'd spent ages trying to hunt down a board from all the major players in the UK this year but couldn't find one anywhere, and I hadn't considered Gong (they look good) at the time. Moral of the story is - what you are looking for could be closer to home. I'm considering a smaller board from the same supplier for the winter months here.
Pretty sure they take the vat off at check out, you then have to pay vat and import duty to the handler when it arrives in the UK.
Cheers, website shows little in stock. Same issues getting Specific quality 'high end' MTB kit as well.
Another ****ing lockdown here in Victoria only allowed a 5 KM radius from home to exercise, I'm never going to be able to take the Placid out at this rate. Lucky I built myself a dry land SUP for a bit of practice and balance but I'm desperate to get out in the surf. Long range surf forecast says its going to be great surf last week of this month, but as always have to wait until the last minute to see what its really like.
NOONOO, just got a Glide 8'6 (?400 off ticket price, 2022 models coming October). Initial impressions are excellent. Looks way smaller in the 'flesh'. Quality of construction is good and is very light in the standard build. Just waiting for some swell!
Will do. Am at Beadnell, flat as flat, will be back Saltburn Wednesday. Even if still flat will get out and give first impressions. Exactly same issue for me. Started the search September 20 after a Starboard, ordered one, shop kept me informed and by Feb 21 still not arrived (arrived May 21 all sold pre-order), tried the same with infinity, Smik, JL. Like Colas said, and Reuben (Supboarder), the trade off is fixing on one model v a range that would be probably suitable and the irony is it's next to impossible to demo any of them. There are some limited Smik in stock at Bishopton Water Shop but again, not ideal, this is why I got the Guppy in Jan this year. Nothing wrong at all, in fact it's great, it just wasn't my first choice. It is however, a 'kin blast to paddle out on, it's got a really 'unique' nose for it's size. All the boards you mention were on my list, just couldn't get them this year. You'll know what it's like over here, within 20mins you can have such varying conditions in the North Sea, from glassy perfect (rarely) to chop, wind etc I wanted a middle of the road board that wouldn't be too much compromise in most common conditions. Most of my reading around the Quattro left me more perplexed as it is billed as an all rounder with surf credentials by the manufacturer, and yet most reviews and user comments praise it's surf abilities. The best one described it as a great step down more performance board for heavier/bigger guys wanting a smaller board (me!). I like the description by Gong as a 4x4 for their Mob, think the Quattro may be similar- true, exciting time.
Oh yeah, build and finish, superficially anyway, reminds me of Starboard
Colas-container prices have gone from?1k to ?8k and using a certain courier here in UK has gone from ?50 to ?200 with both brexit and Covid being the reason. We had a four week break booked for now in South Brittany-cancelled due to BellendBoris. And, thousands of containers stuck in Felixstowe full of Pratt Halfcocks illegally sourced PPE. NOONOO, I got the wood version Guppy, only downside is the weight, it's quite heavy in this build. I bought too big, Joe advised smaller but I was worried about stability in bad chop-you know the sort. Have paddled the smaller Guppy and Joes 120 litre Hybrid (calm, knee high), both far more laterally stable than I imagined. The Guppy was more tippy front to rear, very sensitive to foot placement, the Hybrid was not as tippy and it was easier to catch smaller waves on it. The only reasons I didn't go for one of these when I like my Guppy so much are cost for carbon versions and I wanted something in between, hence the Quattro before going for a carbon Diablo when skills are at that level and conditions warrant that sort of board. Think this makes sense!
NOONOO-quick update, yesterday best conditions Saltburn seen in months 4-5ft and glassy smooth, approx 7s. Only had Guppy (9'), long story regarding rail saver and Quattro, ran quads for the first time - was the best day yet, plenty of prone guys commenting on size of board (How small-it looks smaller than it is), It's glide and agility. So, tomorrow is another typical sh*** NE blown out chop fest so will Take out the Quattro and let you know how stable etc.
NOONOO, the Quattro is a very very stable board, 8'6 is more stable than the Guppy 9'. Its laterally more sensitive but in a positive way. It paddles and deals with white stuff etc going out as good as the Guppy. The purpose today was to see how it managed choppy North Sea conditions, genuinely did not bother me at all, really became just background 'noise'. The board is seriously stable. Didn't expect much of the conditions but managed to catch a few, (seriously crap conditions), it pivots from the back predictably to turn and catch waves easily and glide, stability and tracking are good. It's very easy to surf and flatters what skills you have. In terms of being more laterally sensitive in a positive way compared to the Guppy this meant it reacted more to toe and heel pressure to initiate movement compared to the Guppy which requires more positive foot movement. It seems tough, newbie long boarder (complete with gittee goatee!) dropped in and twatted the rear toe side rail as he ditched, just flaked a bit of paint away. Only real negative is size of centre fin - its just way too big in my opinion. Other than that all good, hope your search is goes well!