omg wrote:hi guys, I am now very close to finally destroy 2013 nugget which I like a lot but the construction is not holding up nomore for strapless riding. Got it repaired twice now and the deck is soft under the back foot.
So, I need to look for a new lightwind board and Nugget 2014 it is I guess. However, which one should I pick, the 5'2 or 5'5? What's the difference between the two, like early planing etc?
I weigh 80kgs plus the suit etc. so 85kgs wet I guess. The waves are small, mush and the quickness of the board is appreciated (turning, swing when doing aerials etc.). What's your take, is there a difference in early planing or chop handling etc between the two?
Thanks and good winds!
... hey omg,
I have the 5'5" and my missus has the 5'2". The 2 boards are very different actually and the long and short of it is, the 5'2" is the closest to the 5'0".
But,,, there is always a but, if you want to get the same bottom end as your original board then you have to go to the 5'5" but since it isn't as playful as the 5'2", you sort of have to work out which bit you'd sacrifice. And don't get me wrong, they are both still very fun boards, definetely, just not as easy slidie fun as the old one. Both the newer ones are a bit more surfboardie with better grip in turns so both handle stronger winds better.
One thing is for sure, the newer nuggets are very strong, for a light board, so far I've got no heal dents or fin box cracks, nada, and to keep it in perspective, the 5'5" is my bread and butter board for the last 6 months which I love riding well powered using the edge to control the power and I'm a super heavy weight. Absolutely blows me away, no heal dents yet.
The newer nuggets have a narrower tail compared to the older one but to get the same bottom end they put slightly bigger drivie fins on the rear so now you can ride with much more power, drive harder in the turns but harder to break fins out on cut backs. The boards tracks straighter and handle speed much better too, not as bouncy as the older one.
So, back to the question at hand, essentially the 5'5" has better bottom end, less bouncy at speed and tracks straighter than the 5'2" but when riding smaller waves the 5'2" snaps around quicker and slightly more playful, amazing how 3" can make such a difference. When the wind picks up or you want to ride bigger waves then the 5'5" is better imo, carving nice big fast carves. I also find the bigger one has better upwind but probably due to the fact that it handles more drive better.
Hope this helps.
Robbie