Ya, i think it is. I go from a 184 race stiff board. to a 163 freeride board. Still using hardboots. They both go fast. To me it takes 2 or 3 runs on the freeride board, to realise that it's wider, and shorter. That it can't handle the long carve, like the 184.
I think they are both fun to ride though.
just my two cents.