I think I know the answer to this but thought I would put it out there to get others opinions.

The standard way of measuring volume is by seeing how much water it dislaces. Now if a carbon board is say 2kg lighter then it is obviously going to displace less water. Does this then make the volume less?

If the boards are exactly the same size they will be exactly the same volume regardless of weight IMO.


Edit: beat me to it and said it better shunter.

Husq are you saying that volume measurement is pointless?

husq2100 said...

gregc said...
Husq are you saying that volume measurement is pointless?

Yes.....

You could have 100 different boards all the same volume, but all different shapes. In no way is volume an indicator of performance or feel.

Agree with your last point, but it is far from pointless. It is just another factor to consider, along with many others.

The whole volume thing can be very deceiving - A 10' x 22" x 5 1/2 (exaggerated measurements) may have volume of 155+ litres but the roll would be more unstable than a 8.9 x 29 x 4 1/2. at 120 odd litres

In theory then - If its lighter and more floaty then its more likely to be more unstable when affected by chop, in windy conditions and dropping down wind affected faces - more planted in the water can actually be a benefit than on top - the padlling breaks it free and onto the plane for catching waves

I think most people are smart enough to realise that a combination of measurements including volume are a useful guide to what may suit them to demo.

Hopefully the retailers (E.g Anaconda etc) aren't blindsiding people into buying crap gear (based on volume and price) so they can get rid of the big crappy monster 200l boards that are a danger to us all in the surf - as the "never surfed's" paddle out at your favourite break this xmas and run over and drop in on every surfer in the water and destroy any respect for all SUP'rs that have come before and after them

surf4fun said...

Now if a carbon board is say 2kg lighter then it is obviously going to displace less water. Does this then make the volume less?

Good question... Simply put it will support more weight BUT on carbon/composite boards the mass is more centralized and the nose and tails are very light because the timber veneer or heavier lay-up is not running the full length of the board. Which makes the boards perform differently so it's not just about the mere extra 2kg of weight the board will carry it improves performance.

Don't take my word for it go and try it. JP Australia make the same boards in different lay ups and you can Demo them from Surf Fx. Fanatic do the same. So before you post another so called theory go do some actual testing and then post the results on the same boards with equal litres.... Composite construction v standard glass lay up.

You will notice the difference

Husq, get on something that is close to your bouyancy vs weight, then you will appreciate the value of the volume measurement, even though you are correct, it is a result of dimensions such as width, length and thickness.

Honestly, Who GAF so long as it works for you.
Thats wht try before you buy.

Wow such passion over volume. As a more rotund paddler (although I was referred to as powerful paddler during a race the other day) I can say that volume is a good basis for making a decision on a board, ie if the volume is too low you will sink the board and it will not be fun. It should not, as pointed out, be the only determining factor. So yes width is a good one, although, but personally I like longitudinal stability in a board.

So yep test out heaps, get a well built board that is comfortable for you.

gregc said...
Wow such passion over volume. As a more rotund paddler (although I was referred to as powerful paddler during a race the other day) I can say that volume is a good basis for making a decision on a board, ie if the volume is too low you will sink the board and it will not be fun. It should not, as pointed out, be the only determining factor. So yes width is a good one, although, but personally I like longitudinal stability in a board.

So yep test out heaps, get a well built board that is comfortable for you.

I would argue its the shape and weight that displace water....You could have a metal pole with heaps of volume, but it isnt going to float

husq2100 said...
You could have a metal pole with heaps of volume, but it isnt going to float

A metal pole will float if it has end caps and its displaced volume in the meduim its floating in is greater than its weight.... Plenty of metal ships/barges around that float.
Pick the engineer....

Pedants corner ... a metal pole will not float. A metal pipe (ie. hollow) might float.

The volume is constant no matter what the weight.

The volume of water displaced will vary depending on the weight because a heavy board will sit lower than a lighter board (you would need to include the weight of the rider for it to make much sense).

All of the above is irrelevant because you don't have any context for the numbers so they are meaningless. If I tell you one board has a volume of 80 litres and the other has a volume of 60 litres you might guess that the 80 ltr board will be bigger and/or thicker and/or wider. You would know more from a picture and a bunch of length/width/thickness measurements.

I like to know the weight of a board because it matters to me whether I am able to carry the f%&en thing to the car after a session.

Agreed a SOLID Metal Pole, more commonly known as a metal bar will not float.... he didnt say it was solid.....details its all in details anyway I am out of this... cheers

[b]
All of the above is irrelevant because you don't have any context for the numbers so they are meaningless. If I tell you one board has a volume of 80 litres and the other has a volume of 60 litres you might guess that the 80 ltr board will be bigger and/or thicker and/or wider. You would know more from a picture and a bunch of length/width/thickness measurements.

That's my point exactly , so the only way you can prove anything is to ride the same board at different weights. Go and try JP's or the Fanatics , both companies have surf and race boards with the same models built in heavy and light construction. Starboard also does it in some of their boards as well ..... it's a black and white answer to the question and nothing to do with metal poles , rods or tubes.