Board size, dimensions?

Bone Yard, Lost, and Firewire are all brands, with dozens of models.

I wouldn't recommend anything for 2-8 ft surf. Time to think about starting a quiver.

There's a lot more to board performance than length. Sounds like you need to have an in-person conversation with a shaper.

 

Firewire Hellfire 5'8

 

Length doesn't translate to looseness. You need to think about rail length, single or double, quad vs thruster, tail shape, nose rocker, tail rocker, ext. I could go on for days. Go talk to a shaper. You got a lot to learn about rail shapes too. Brand names and lengths are not enough to get you in the right spot at the right time.

Good luck with your journey, it's half the fun of surfing.

 

Listen to LBCrew.....If you like a board in the 6'4 range you can have one made to ride just like a smaller board.

 

Get off the big brands, go talk to a local shaper.

 

as mentioned, you cannot really have one board for 2-8ft surf. was your cousins 5'6 firwire a sweet potato? a fish? is your boneyard a thruster? a fish? if you like the boneyard then keep it for a certain conditions. then do some research, talk to local shapers, and get a board for other certian conditions. i could never surf one stick, i get bored and need to change things up. for example my current quiver consists of 9ft log for small stuff, 5'2 mini simmons for medium stuff, 6'0 bonzer for bigger stuff. i think you should take a trip up to greenlight in squan, talk to those guys, they have plenty of various shapes on the racks, or you could get a custom. either way, with that scenario, your spending considerably less than you would on a firewire. i mean thats if your on a budget - if you've got your heart set on a firewire, they are tough boards..go for it.

 

Talking to a shaper is a great idea, doesn't have to be local. I've talked to Stretch out in Santa Cruz and he can you make anything, and he's eps tech is top notch and last longer than anything off the racks. He's site stretchboards.com have all the models and descriptions and he happens to be one of the best shapers in the world. I have a superbuzz , the thing and a 2x4 and I'm pretty good for anything in jersey. Being honest of your abilities and the conditions your going to be in will help the shaper shape what you need.

 

If push comes to shove all of us could probably make a board work in any kinda of surf with enough push. Is it best? No. Sorry no such thing as a one board quiver. Everyone needs at least two...Something fishy for small days and a shortboard for good days. That said I had a5 fin convertible 5'8'' dominator that was a good board small wave board up to head high. Could it go bigger. Sure... but it wasn't optimal for those conditions (I was 5'11'' 180ish). Time to start collecting up a legit quiver...boards that are ideal for different conditions...it will take a while and can be as little as two or three boards. On the plus side when you're switching out boards instead of just riding one to death, they last a lot longer and it kinda off sets the costs in the long run. My good wave/travel board is 6 years old and my step up was at least that old before it died. Didn't ride them as much as the fishes or small wave HP boards but it was nice when I needed them. Once you figure out what you need/like... the used board rack in the spring at your local shop can be key to building up your quiver.