Love Machine FM Surfboard Review

[@n0pmat]

Just grabbed a 9 6 FM and it's such a fun board. After a week of riding, I knew I wanted another. Got a 7 8 on the way and can't wait to see how it feels.

[@BoardshopUK]

Stoked! They are amazing!

[@borisypablo]

I really liked your analysis, I'd like to ask you what you think is the best midlength for a trained 48-year-old man who lives far from the sea and goes surfing once a month. Mini Moe 6'6 or FM Love machine 6'6?

[@BoardshopUK]

Both are fantastic... super forgiving and easy to control (ideal if you're limited to water time) but still have that great fast responsive performance feel when pushed. The Mini Moe will be your more cruiser board, great paddler and more skate like, the FM will be a speed machine, quick rail to rail transitions and would be your more performance option out of the two, if you wanted that performance feel but with the forgiveness of the mini moe , size the FM up to the 6' 9 !

[@travismartin4812]

For my next board I’m kind of between an FM or Albums Darkness…. And I’m Curious how you would compare these two models. You gave a rave review of the Darkness. I wonder what you find they have in common, and how they are different.

[@BoardshopUK]

Both are absolutely fantastic, but there's something special with the FM, the overall shape, the channels, the crazy concaves and design all coming together to make an extremely fast and responsive board which can be ridden in smaller weaker waves and anything larger if you wish, it'll certainly maximize fun in the slow stuff and can still be cruisy if you wish. The Darkness is also a great twinny, fast responsive and a great paddler, all the benefits of a classic mid-length with the freeness from the twin set up. The slight hip adds to a bit more bite and release when executing maneuverers and will allow you to take the board in larger surf too. Both paddle extremely well... and get you in early. Both offer great wave range and maneuverability, but when it comes to versatility I think the FM will have to take the winning spot!

[@travismartin4812]

@@BoardshopUK I appreciate that response so much! So informative! Thank you!

[@bmolale081]

What fin setup do you recommend for this board?

[@timeandtides8701]

Looks a cool board. Than fin setup is called a twinzer. A bonzer would be a single fin with two or four canted out side fins. Sorry to be a pedant!

[@BoardshopUK]

Slip of the tongue.

[@timeandtides8701]

@@BoardshopUK all is forgiven 😂

[@vincew4527]

Hello, how does this board compare to the almond pleasant pheasant in a beachbreak conditions and sometimes for travelling around EU (France, Portuga,...) or Morocco? I'm looking for something around 40/45 liters. Thank you.

[@BoardshopUK]

We would put the FM above the Pleasant Pheasant in terms of performance and how hard you can push the board (wave range and top to bottom surfing) Both are great cruisy playful boards but have different approaches to how they tackle the wave in terms of how they turn. Think exaggerated turning lines (cruisy) on the Pleasant Pheasant and then take that feeling but offer more response and zip for the FM.

[@vincew4527]

👍

[@dylanfetzer1272]

Sweet board. How would this board ride vs. the CI Mid? Also would you recommend it in San Diego waves? Mainly hitting mushy reef breaks with the occasional firing days. Looking at the 7’0ish range

[@BoardshopUK]

The FM is an incredible board, super versatile and can be ridden however you want it... it is more performance / responsive than the CI Mid. the twinzer set up really helps bring the board to life offering fast responsive turns but also offers great glide too ... would be great in your San Diego waves . stock 6' 9 would be the magic size!

[@OverJam52]

How does that would compare to a Pukas 69er evolution for example?

[@BoardshopUK]

what conditions are you planning to surf in / what do you want the board to do ?

[@OverJam52]

​@@BoardshopUK I live in France, near Lacanau, and surf waves from 60-80cm to 1m30-40 max. I'm looking to upgrade/downsize from a 7' Happy Hour from Ocean & Earth (52 L) to something more maneuverable and fun. Thanks a lot for the advice!

[@kmhendrickson]

How does this compare to the CI M23?

[@BoardshopUK]

Both are great Hybrid, performance based mids , the FM does have more of a cruisy/ flow undertone with the ability to perform well in a massive range of conditions. The M23 is what we like to call the shortboarders mid length, think all the paddle power and wave entry of a larger board but with the ability to surf it like a much shorter board .... Boom the M23