FCD Huevo Ranchero or Rusty Dwart?

cant give you much feedback on the boards, but i can tell you that FCD is solid. Had a DM3 for several years. Surfed many big swells, hurricane swells, Indo, etc with that thing and it held up extremely well and surfed amazing.

 

Love my 7'0 Huevo. Built super solid.

 

I demoed a 7'6 Huevo thruster and a 5'6 Fark quad and didn't stop drooling for days. I did 4 sessions over a few days on both boards. The guys at FCD were super helpful and it might be worth your time to call them and describe your current boards and what you're looking to get out of the new board.

I set out looking for an eggy shaped board that could rip in the right conditions and although the 7'6 was a little too big for what I wanted, it was a dream to ride at a reef break like Swami's and beach breaks farther up the coast. The Fark (or maybe it was just me) seemed to struggle in waist-high and smaller waves but I could feel it's potential in larger surf.

I ended up picking the middle ground between the 7'6 and the Fark -- a 6'6 Huevo quad. I think the board would work very well as a thruster, but I really liked the feel of the quad and I wanted something to complement my other boards.

I ride the 6'6 in NY in the fall and winter and it's fast enough to make some beach break sections that I couldn't on my other 6'0 and 7'2 thrusters, but I found that the stock fins were just a tad too small for how I surfed (I'm 5'10 @170 and could easily get the tail to slide) but a larger set makes the board perfect. Or at least nearly perfect. The board's shape could definitely be altered a bit for East coast waves, but you won't be disappointed with the Huevo.

I also like the feel of the lightweight but strong, extruded polystyrene foam that FCD uses. The FCD guys warned about delamination if the board were to be left in a hot car, but I've never done that with any of my boards. Yet.

They're a little pricey, but if you have the cash that's the last thing you'll think about after you ride one. The Huevo is a solid board that has worked very well for me in mushy stomach-high beach break to solid overhead hurricane swell. I've also taken it out in wast-high and smaller surf a few times, but generally prefer to ride something else in those conditions. Its durability makes it a great option for a travel board, but I would flip out if an airline ever lost or damaged it.

 

i havent heard many good things about the dwart. its pretty much a fun shape just like the board you are riding now, just smaller. the huevo, assuming it is an egg shape, is kind of in the same boat. i would look from a more hybrid performance board. still has that extra volume to have a steadier take off and wave catching abilities, but turns a bit better than a fun board. like i have said before, a fun board really isnt any fun. they catch less waves than a longboard and dont turn nearly as well as a shortboard. they are a middle ground of frustration.

 

You shouldn't have any problem duck diving the 6'6 or 6'8. Even the 7'6 will go under reasonably well if you force it with good timing.

Super fish has a good point. Make sure you know what you want and what you're getting into. I made the choice of the Huevo after demoing the boards and was knowingly filling a void in my quiver. It's shape has egg influences, but it's not a true egg and definitely not a funboard.

The reality is you could get a less expensive board tailored to your needs from a local shaper. The only solution is to ask a lot of questions and try a lot of boards.

 

Surfed my 7'0 Huevo this weekend in OC. I am 6'0" and about 180-185lbs. No problem duck diving it.