Sintered Man Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 So, I've been playing around on the Donek website, playing with graphic options on the Hazelwood. I keep considering specs, over, and over, and over, and over. I just cant seem to figure out if I should go with a shorter board at 185cm or go whole hog on a 200cm board. I'm 5' 10", 205lbs, I live in Pennsylvania, and my hills are small. I might get one trip out to Vermont if I'm really fortunate. Am I insane to even be considering a 200cm board? Will a 200cm Hazelwood be nimble enough? I kind of feel like I could pull it off and still maintain the proper amount of mobility, as I have been riding carving decks in the 175cm range on these hills for a decade now. All my previous boards have been around 11-13m sidecut radius with 19-20cm waist widths. I don't want to make a mistake and order a beautiful custom that I can't ever use. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 Given what you described as your everyday riding conditions, I recommend the 185 or maybe a 190. However, if I were in your shoes I would call Donek and ask Sean what he thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 I guess the question is also what you wanted to do with that board and on what kind of terrain. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorita Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 I like longer camber boards also and tried to go up to a log also. It ended up being so exhausting to ride that I couldn't last a full day. I'm a few pounds lighter than you, but would say that if you have not tried a 200, I would want to give it a long try before committing. If you have demoed a 200, I would guess that you already know the answer to your question. Cheers, and start a new board porn thread for this season when you get your new toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted June 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 Hey BlueB, didn't you have a tanker substitute by Santa Cruz? What does the plank look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smilin'Dave Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 Just buy both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 Hey BlueB, didn't you have a tanker substitute by Santa Cruz? What does the plank look like?Yeah an 183. The spec is identical to Tanker 182. At that stage Volkl produced them both. I can post a pic a bit later. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted June 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) Hey Jim! I was under the impression that a tanker/Hazelwood was a good carver. Not just a pow board. Edited June 30, 2016 by Sintered Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) Hey Jim! I was under the impression that a tanker/Hazelwood was a good carver. Not just a low board. It is an amazing soft groom carver, crudbuster and pow board, which is a function of its 24.5cm waist. Absolutely rocks on softer snow, it does carve very nicely on firmer snow, but it will give your calves quite a workout. If I had not won a Monster from Bruce a few years ago, I would definitely have one in my quiver. It might be a bit of overkill back east. mario Edited June 30, 2016 by big mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Brammer aka PSR Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 As a Tanker driver for 17 years, I can vouch that they Carve, Nicely. They also are great in whatever snow you're on, the exception being late-season slush, where the drag from too much p-tex and water-suction can make a day ugly (Zardoz Not Wax to the rescue, usually). BTW, I'm at my heaviest in my life, at 207 lbs., and 5'-8", but I first rode a 200 cm when I was a spry buck of 155 lbs., and 5'-9". Your weight isn't the issue. So, my thoughts are that you should get the Hazelwood in the 180cm range, due to your location. BUT, if you're likely to travel to truly large venues, places that have trail width, places that have freshie bowls, places above treeline, places with gorgeous Argentinian women, then go Bigger. You'll be on a very versatile board regardless, one that can be ridden in almost any snow condition you want to challenge, and it'll be the quiver-killer just by where it can take you. However, the mid-coast isn't a good place for the larger versions of these boards. Vermont, NH, and Maine do have places that my 200 Tanker (an early-ish model, a 'Millenium' 2000, so it's stiff, wide, and has serious camber) is quite happy romping on. But, my 183cm (a 2003) is the more versatile board, yet carries it's speed very well. I rode it off of Palisades at Squaw, and it's been to Baker, and Verbier; it also is what you see in the CMC challenge doing a 25 mph carving noseroll. Going shorter (with Tankers, perhaps not with Hazelwoods?; Don't know, as I haven't yet ridden a short Hazelwood), my 172 Crown (an '06) is perhaps my favorite board, and the one true 'go-to,-'cause- I -don't -know- where -I'm- going, board, as it will carve, turn tight, float in trees, ride switch easily, jump loftily, race BX,rugged enough that I don't need to baby it and is always predictable. The one thing it doesn't do, is motor along effortlessly at 35 mph all day, which my bigger Tankers do with ease. Don't let yourself think that you can't ride these. Do think of where you're likely to ride. Plan accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) Here's the Maverick And cool surf graphic on the middle Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Edited June 30, 2016 by BlueB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 I have a Tanker 200 and it's a fun toy, but honestly there are better choices for groomer days. If all you ride is small, groomed hills not sure why you'd be looking at a Tanker or Tanker clone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.a Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 I agree with Neil. The Hazelwood and Tanker are big mountain boards perfect for those who frequently see pow, not groomers and hardpack. You didn't even mention hitting Colorado once a year, just a rare Vermont trip. I also ride in East Coast conditions and my 200 cm Tanker saw just one day on the snow this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 My advice is to DEMO one next year before you buy it. Bomber will hook you up. Big boards usually like to have a little room and speed to run. Have you ever thought about going narrower versus longer? Ever consider a Skwal? They are perfect for East Coast conditions and small hills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Here's the Maverick And cool surf graphic on the middle Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk love that shape. a lot like my old 24 waist grocer. the big tapered powder tips rock in 2' of tracked up pow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P06781 Posted July 6, 2016 Report Share Posted July 6, 2016 I have a tanker 192 split and got a chance to ride a friends 200 hazelwood this year . i actually still have the board and might buy or trade for it from him . The HW rails turns better than a Tanker 200 but are heavier so the tankers win in powder . I really love both ! The HWs sidecut is like 11-13 so its really pretty turny and you weight >200lb right ? so as long as you have space to let it roll it should be fine ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Hey P06781! Now that's the type of information I want to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorita Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 So Sintered Man, what did you order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Actually, I have not ordered yet. As long as the stock dimensioned 200cm model is not as stiff as the 185GS Volkl Renntiger I used to have, then I should be able to bend it... especially at 200+ pounds. On a scale of 1-10, how stiff would you say a Hazelwood tends to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Haven't been on a Hazelwood, but as I understand it the design target is a more beefed-up Tanker, in which case it won't be that stiff. My 200 cm Tanker has a 10.5 m radius and is surprisingly nimble and easy to turn for such a long board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Would anyone give it a 6 or 7 out of ten for stiffness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Would anyone give it a 6 or 7 out of ten for stiffness? Just talk to Sean when you order it, they're all custom so the stiffness he builds in will be a result of that conversation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted July 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 For anybody temped to buy a custom Hazelwood, the demo is up for sale on the Donek website. It's a bit too wide for my size 9.5 boots. Someone grab it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 ...the demo is up for sale on the Donek website. Not sure whether I'm flattered or irritated, but it's a clone of my custom, including the Lib Tech ripoff graphics and ultra-width. I love it, but I'm not sure I'd like anyone fooling around with a clone of my wife either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sintered Man Posted July 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) Yeah that sure would be strange. Especially if a stranger were to bring it to you're attention. Plus there's already a video on YouTube of it being ridden by Ryan Knapton! Edited July 8, 2016 by Sintered Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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