Starboard Pocket Rocket VS Hyper Nut / Comparison video

[@DoctorShrink]

Of the two boards, the pocket rocket looks much more aesthetically pleasing in its maneuvers. The hypernut appears to be constantly forcing the rider to get over the centre of gravity to prevent a skid or fall. The turns look much more like a lean and a recovery than a continuous turn. In other words it skids more than really turns. I can understand why people like them in trashy surf because you are at last doing something actively but for me a big smooth carve is more pleasing than a splashy stall.

[@SUPboardermag]

Well said! It’s all to do with rail line, a longer rail and more curve will carve and turn better than the straight rail of a Hypernut. Thanks, Beau

[@chrisjenkins3774]

Great review Reuben as always. I have the 7’10 Hypernut and love it. I agree though that you need to be at a good intermediate level to surf it. I stepped down from a 9ft Allwave and it took a session or two to really dial in foot placement and paddle strokes. Now I can catch as many waves as I could on the Allwave, the Hypernut though is way faster and turns on a dime so super fun. For me it’s my go to board for all conditions even OH+ however agree that a more advanced rider in even larger waves would find a pro board a better fit.

[@SUPboardermag]

Great feedback and comments Chris. Glad you are loving it. Happy surfing Reuben

[@chrisgravel7157]

Superb feedback on both boards. Agree 100% on your take on the hypernut. Its a much more technical board to surf and slower to paddle. Its got a lot of strengths but can take few sessions to start unlocking them. I find the pocket rocket and widepoint shapes more versatile and adaptable but if I could afford a mushy wave machine a hypernut would be high on the list

[@SUPboardermag]

one of each would do! lol.... thanks for the comment Chris.

[@cesdevilallonga]

very good video! but if the most I get is small waves I need to take off asap so I need volume and common length... the Pocket is already gorgeous!

[@SUPboardermag]

Yes having a bit more length will help you get on the small waves early. But a shorter board like the PR will turn faster! Thanks Reuben

[@bruce4str]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@SUPboardermag]

You're welcome. Thanks

[@irishsupdublin]

Great review guys. Have owned both boards in the past and enjoyed both thoroughly. If I had to own only one, the Pocket Rocket would be the one for me.

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks Paul. But cant imagine you with just one board! lol

[@irishsupdublin]

@@SUPboardermag me neither...lol

[@DiscosVideos]

Good review. My only critique would be to surf the Pocket Rocket with the same quad set up as the Hypernut so that you get a better board to board comparison vs the fins making them each surf a certain way. The Pocket Rocket with quads would be faster and you'd be able to make quicker turns too.

[@SUPboardermag]

Good comment Eric. This is something we would love to aim to do in future. Yes true it will change the feel of the board. Need to go surfing more.. Thanks Reuben

[@DiscosVideos]

SUPboarder i understand when doing an individual review you should do it with the supplied fins but on a head to head the fins should be the same for both boards so you get a better comparison. Great video other then that.

[@emeraldshrimp7428]

Very nice review as usual, great to see you guys comparing the 2 shapes. I still ride my old 9'5 nut, best progressive longboard I have surfed. Would you think a pocket rocket can handle double overhead reefs for an experienced 80 kgs rider ?

[@SUPboardermag]

I think it would bore you a bit. And I would be looking for a rail with less volume to handle the speed better. Maybe Wide point or bigger Pro shape would be best. Thanks Reuben. PS new WidePoint shape coming out next year 😉. Thanks reuben

[@emeraldshrimp7428]

Thanks Reuben. The SB Pros used to be too tippy for me but after seeing your review of the 7'10 and their stability, the 8'5 or 9' might be a contender. Keep doing those great reviews, super useful for people with no demo centres nearby.

[@sengyo]

Hello Reuben, 38yo, 174cm 74kgs, sportive, looking for an unique board with major conditions choppy and windy frm 50cm to 2m max, what do you suggest between a 2016 wide point 8'2 123liters and a 2020 hypernut 8' 133liters? Thanks a lot in advance. Big up from France

[@SUPboardermag]

Bonjour, I would take out a HyperNut in those conditions. I would always prefer a shorter more compact board in winder choppier waves. The HN would work well. Thanks Reuben

[@sengyo]

@@SUPboardermag Thanks bro

[@HD46409]

Hey guys, a quick note on the HyperNut volume: the 8'0" is 133L and the 7'4" is 106L.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey HD, Thanks for the comment. Are you referring to the 2018 models? Because in 2019/2020 they have dropped the 8' and 7'4" and have 9'0",8'4",7'10" ,7’6",7’0. Thanks Reuben

[@HD46409]

@@SUPboardermag I was going off the 4-in-1 which according to their website is still in the 8' and the 7'4". Hmmmmm my bad?

[@SUPboardermag]

​@@HD46409 sorry yes well spotted. You are correct they carried the 2018/19 shapes over for the 4in1 boards into 2020. Sorry for the confusion. Reuben

[@tc158]

I’m coming from a 8’2” widepoint (2015). 185lbs/84kg, surfing mostly head-heigh and lower. Which board would you recommend? I was able to rent a hypernut and found it fast but skittish on a bigger Maui day. No one has a 2020 Pocket Rocket I can try. I’m also considering one of the 8 footish Pro boards. Thx

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey TC. I wouldn't advise going from wide point to a pocket rocket. Your will find a wide point will offer you much more performance than the slower pocket rocket. Think of the pocket rocket as an easier to ride wide point. The HN, like you said it's quite a skittish board if the waves get faster or big. If you're really comfortable on the wide point and have got a good base level technique to improve I think you're right, you might be better going into a pro shape to get a bit more performance. Any help Reuben?

[@tc158]

Mahalo! this is very helpful. I was worried that the 4.4 thickness of the Pocket Rocket would be slower than what I already have. I can rent a 7’10” pro to try out to see if I like that shape better. What’s your take on what size Pro or HNI should be looking at for my 84/kg?

[@simonhunt7798]

Hi Reuben for all the reasons you mention at the start of the video compact etc I’m thinking about getting one of the Hyper nuts. Currently riding a Fanatic Stubby Ltd 8’7 120l. Thinking about dropping in litres so am considering the 7’0 2021 or 7’6” 2021. Having ridden both how would you rate the HN against the stubby. I only Sup surf in weak up to head high waves because after that I’m surfing. 65kg 5’9. Any help greatly appreciated 🤙

[@SUPboardermag]

Hi Simon. I really like the Stubbys and find them a bit more of a traditional feel compared to the hyper nuts. The HN will feel much looser and faster than your current board. You will definitely find the drop in length harder and slower to catch waves. And as I've mentioned in this video and previous videos about the HN you will have to drive the board more of the tail opposed to your current board which you can turn off of the mid-section. I think by the sound of the conditions you will be surfing in the HN will work well but if you are looking for a board to ride in more of a varied amount of conditions then sticking with a slightly longer more traditional shape like your stubby may still be better. The HN will just feel a lot more lively and looser and be way easier to throw around. Does that sound like the sort of thing you are looking for? Thanks Reuben

[@simonhunt7798]

@@SUPboardermag hey Reuben thanks for the reply yep that sounds about right and I’ve pretty much came to the same conclusion that as an all rounder I’ve pretty much got it dialled with the Stubby. I think a second hand HN might be good to try before committing to a full change. Thanks for taking the time time to reply 🤙

[@SUPboardermag]

No worries Simon

[@bornfreefreedom4900]

Hi hello. May I ask .... Can you use these boards on days with flat calm seas Best regards 🏄‍♂️

[@SUPboardermag]

Yes, absolutely . They will be very slow to paddle but you can use them for sure. My very first board was a starboard 7'11" that I even used to go SUP fishing on :-) thanks Reuben

[@bornfreefreedom4900]

SUPboarder ThankYOU for replying to me. ☀️🙏🌟🏄‍♂️. May I ask ... do you have a shop to buy a board from you. ? Best regards to you all. 🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️☀️☀️☀️💦💦💦💦

[@SUPboardermag]

Sorry we don't sell any gear apart from our SUPboarder Accessories 👍🏼.

[@bornfreefreedom4900]

SUPboarder Thank you. 🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️👍😊

[@tommyc5606]

The starlite construction is not good. I buckled the nose on my 8'0' hypernut last year in small surf.

[@SUPboardermag]

Really... I'm am surprised to hear that. I have really put these board through some poundings over time and have always been amazed to see nothing on the boards. Sorry to hear about yours Tom. Was it a big impact, even in small surf?

[@tommyc5606]

@SUPboarder I don't know, Reuben. I was surfing a beach break in New Jersey (USA) at low tide. The surf was waist high at best and barreling but no real power to speak of. I was riding backside and the lip of the wave hit the nose of the board and I wiped out. When I came to the surface the nose was in bad shape. I am assuming it must have hit a shallow sand bar. The guy who repaired my board had to do some major work on it. The board is back in the water but I will not buy another Starboard; at least not in the starlite construction.