Surfing Filipe Toledo's world-title-winning surfboard for 3 months - Sharpeye FT In-Depth Review

The Sharpeye FT Quad is a no-joke full throttle surfing experience and it's likely the best shortboard you'll ever ride. I don't say such things lightly. This new option from Sharpeye is even a step ahead of the incredible Inferno 72 which is the surfboard I chose as the winner of our inaugural board test two years back.
I didn't think it was possible, but they've bettered the inferno 72 here.
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[@jakeforge]

How awesome a feeling it is that you have gone to a new place with your surfing ! In those conditions on that board I can see your surfing has risen subjectively for me 15% to 30% ! The speed, power and flow you are generating is beautiful to watch. Thankyou for your time and efforts living your truth and sharing it with us ! Appreciate you mate 🤙🏻

[@KalesBroccoli]

🙏🏽❤️🤙🏽

[@ericlawson2101]

I had wondered about this board and I’m glad you did a review. I’ve been on quads for about a decade now; they’re my go to. Thanks for a solid review.

[@sammcdonald2208]

Kale, your board reviews are invaluable. Buying a new board is a big decision. Following your review of the Sharpeye Inferno 72 I purchased one. It is the best board I have ridden over the 15 years I have been surfing. It has improved my surfing alot. Thanks again for all the hard work you are putting in that helps the average surfer immensely!

[@KalesBroccoli]

🙏🏽🤙🏽❤️

[@trestlesrocks]

Same here

[@Zanzabar5]

They are, he's doing a huge service to the surfer, and to the shapers who deserve the recognition for their designs.

[@francoruiz]

Hey Kale! this board whistled at me today too. I was going so fast on some decent 5-7 ft faces. What an incredible board!

[@ManOfSauce]

It's always nice to see a little more of the shaper mental process. That boards quad layout moves more into the Mckee style placement with the back fin off the rail and pulled back to the tail, the thruster devoted surfer usually feels comfortable there. That's a great feature of quads, so much tuning can be achieved to match foot placement, wave style and the surfing you want to do. The only downside is the characteristics from one extreme placement for specific surfing will not work at all if used on a board for a different surfer or different style of surfing

[@SeaUlcer]

Bro this review is BANG on and exactly how i felt riding this board. Ordering 2 more for a ments trip in June for sure. Unbelievable!!

[@Zanzabar5]

I just ordered one for a Ments trip from dark arts. Y think that's your go to for the ments?

[@kaidame3499]

Thanks for bringing this up, as I thought initially that whistleing noise was an coincidence on a particular wave in Portugal. So now I know I was just blazing fast in that barreling wave 😅. Had this never before ... though was on a cheap Torq board 🙈

[@paulwayland2374]

I worked with hayd on his future flex from very beginning, and I've found the ingredient that will take this board and alike to the next level. I've built a few for myself and close friends and it is the secret ingredient. Thanks Brock sic work love your vids!

[@JonnoYu]

SoOo stoked to get the opportunity to surf with you in the Maldives! That board looked sooO good under your feet bro! Definitely ripping it up! I'm trying to get CFO approval now to add this one to the quiver! 😅

[@KalesBroccoli]

😂😂 🙅🏼‍♀️🙇🏽‍♂️

[@camlangsford944]

Awesome thanks for the video and hope you had a great trip and safe travels home if still on the road. Slightly off topic but have you done any videos defining what an intermediate surfer is? Keen to figure out where I'm at so I can take your advice based on that. Thanks!

[@Honestly__now]

i agree.. your surfing looks great on this one. Its more tight arc full rail

[@zacmason]

only recently got my inferno72 but will keep this one in mind for future progression 🤙🤙

[@knestvogel]

Hey Kale, love your videos! I currently ride a stock 6’0” Inferno 72 PU and am considering getting this Inferno FT board in dark arts. Since you have ridden both constructions and both models, would you advise the same 6’0” dims in the FT if I am getting dark arts, or would you go one inch smaller?

[@Cianmdolan]

Hi Kale, just wanted to say as an advancing beginner (just started on the shortboard a few months ago) I find your reviews spot on to help understand surfboards and surfing more..! Also, there's a company, "Wyve", in Anglet that do high performance eco-friendly boards with no Styrofoam. Would be cool to get your opinion on them!

[@trestlesrocks]

Old text that used to be on Futures FAQ back in the day regarding whistling or humming fins. Q: Whats the reason why fins sometimes hum? A: The short answer: Pressure differences = Vortices or Turbulence = Vibration = Humming Fins The long answer: As water flows around a fin there are different pressures on each side of the fin. Water flows meet up at the trailing edge of the fin, and in cases with very different pressures, vortices or turbulence can be generated. These vortices push and pull on the trailing edge of the fin, causing it to vibrate. This vibration creates pressure waves or sound. Think of it as your voice when you blow air across your vocal cords. Have you noticed that your fins hum at certain points while you are surfing, for example during a bottom turn on a fast wave? The vibration hum can be amplified or louder in cases of resonance. In fin terms resonance happens when the pushing and pulling from the vortices causes the fins trailing edge to move back and forth how it wants to move naturally. Or more technically, resonance can be defined as the circumstance when the force applied to the system is equal to the damping or resistance of the system at the systems natural frequency. How do you fix it?: Sand the sides of the trailing edge with a 100-150 grit sand paper (give it a few passes) and then surf it, if it still hums then give it a few more passes with the sand paper. The idea is to minimize the pressure difference at the trailing edge by sanding off any imperfections that may have been left from the production process. Make sure you don't sand too much, the more you sand, the sharper and more dangerous the trailing edge gets.

[@brendanwilson9932]

Whistling usually indicates fin placement is off a bit. That was a trait that occurred with fixed fins back in the day, usually if one was repaired and had to be reset. Don’t be afraid of experimenting with both front and back sets on a quad. Great review and top shelf content!

[@KalesBroccoli]

🙏🏽

[@rasmuszaurins7233]

No, it's bad shape of trailing edge of fin.

[@Zanzabar5]

It's is fave board of all time, even with an alleged misplacement of fins? I'm ordering one!

[@nicscharing]

I had a sharpeye blowfish for a while, same board style, best board ever it improved my surfing more than any other board

[@_ForTheStory_]

Thanks for the reviews Kale. I bought the inferno FT a few months ago and it's been an absolute blast when the conditions were pumping. I missing a board for those wobbly/wonkey smaller days though, so would you recommend a quiver out of the inferno FT for the good days and the inferno 72 for the weaker mushier waves or rather something like the Firewire dominator 2?

[@yonatandishon4276]

Hi Kale! Tnx for the great content. Maybe it worth a while to explain your parameters to decide on when to ride a twin (lightbender) vs a thruster (inferno72) vs quad (FD). What types of breaks, sizes, hollow, menouvers etc. are you considering before chosing a board from your quiver for a trip/session?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Great suggestion

[@jakobmatthews1257]

Hey Kale great review, but could you touch on why you didn’t go dark arts, and how’d it paddle? I have inferno Dark arts already but looking for something to handle head high waves a little better as my inferno slides out on too steep of bottom turns and drops. Cheers bro🤙🏽

[@robysurf]

Hi Kale, great review! What’s your weight, if I can? Thanks

[@Awd1182]

Hi kale, I noticed in your newer video you are riding this with future fin boxes. What size and type of fins are you running in it?

[@MM-fm9qw]

Hi Kale! Could you tell me the differences with HT 2.5? Do you think the HT2.5 would be more friendly to small/medium waves for every day surfing in every conditions? (my level is almost intermediate..) Greetings from Italy!

[@Nocean831]

Hey Kale! Thinking I want an Inferno for my next board as a means of improving out of my intermediate phase into upper intermediate (your vids have sold me!). In what scenarios would you choose the Inferno FT or Inferno 72? I have a high performance fish for waves up to shoulder high, so looking for performance in anything shoulder to overhead, mostly beach breaks.

[@birdssurfshed]

If your hearing a whistle or hum then that is a indication that an edge on the fin or possibly the edge on a the board. Either way that's an indication of drag. The board will go even faster if you can eliminate that buzz or whistle. Great board breakdown and great to see and hear Marcio's forward thinking on fins and there placement.

[@KawikaDowney]

or you have a standing node

[@pascalchristen8357]

I've got handmade twin fins that are amazing. But as the boards I'm using them are so fast, they always wistle as soon as the wave is not tiny anymore! I didn't know where is is coming from. But when I surf the same boards with different fins, there is no sound. (With the noisy fins, you can even see the edge, where the fins are not perfectly inside the board

[@cosmoganic]

I've got a 5'6 Firewire Revo that whistles when it gets up on the plane, but only when I'm running the MR 2+1 setup. I reckon you would like the Revo, It's wild as a quad too with the H4

[@tezf6883]

Ollie get a Slater FRK ibolic bloody awesome board so fast and responsive my current all time favourite board.

[@scottd2868]

Excellent review Brock. What volume do you recommend for this board, do you just keep it the same as your typical HPSB? I've never been a fan of quad's but seriously considering it now

[@KalesBroccoli]

I got it the exact same volume :)

[@scottd2868]

@@KalesBroccoli Thanks, just placed my order with dark arts construction. Stoked!

[@user-nf4ro3td2s]

Idk if someone already brought it up but it was always the fins whistling and needed a little sanding around the base somewhere. Typically hard to notice but pretty easy with a sponge or high grain count sanding block nice and gentle to simply get the spot that's a bit out of line.

[@ballerbrosmedia]

Can you do a video on how to surf bigger faster waves and why ur not ever making it out of those wall waves

[@TomekKosalka]

Kale great review, I’m ready to order!! What construction is yours in? Dark arts, EPS, or PU?

[@KalesBroccoli]

PU!

[@iane7669]

This is an EPIC review, and some great surfing! Very interested on your thoughts for sizing. would you recommend sizing this shorter, longer, or thicker etc then stock?

[@KalesBroccoli]

No stock dims always shaper knows best :)

[@iane7669]

@@KalesBroccoli thanks mate, one thing I struggle with is sizing the length of boards. I am about 5’10” but typically like shorter boards. I also only weight about 66-67kg. I typically surf boards around 25-26 liters in smaller SoCal surf. Any recommendations for length on this board for someone my height/weight? I know generally longer is better for larger waves. If I got this board it would be mostly a travel board for 4+ point and reef breaks. Or for SoCal when we have a nice swell.

[@teamcamaleon]

what about inferno 72 with the h4 fins? did you try it? thoughts

[@MaxPower1234]

Looking at buying this but would like to surf it with futures, any recommendations or what does Sharpeye recommend??

[@noamadika4722]

Hi Kale, nice review and nice waves!!! I have Couple of questions: 1. Did you have a poly, eps or carbon board? 2.which fins did you use? Did you use the h4 fins?

[@KalesBroccoli]

PU H4s 😁

[@pirateunder40]

@@KalesBroccoli Medium in the front?

[@samtru2675]

Good work mate maybe do the new DHD utopia🤙🏽

[@michaelono7335]

What size fins do u use in the h4?Medium or large?

[@TH-nc1gj]

I think your best footage was on the twinsman surfing the east coast points.

[@eduardoreis9319]

Hi Kale, thanks for the great job on your reviews. But, on a trip to central Maldives, would taking an Inferno 72 and an Inferno FT be stupid and redundant? Or do they both fit in a quiver along with a #77 for bigger waves?

[@KalesBroccoli]

77 for when it’s real proper FT for good 72 for small to good :)

[@eduardoreis9319]

@@KalesBroccoli Thanks for the answer. I am 1.80m 73.8-75kg. I have an inf 72 5'10 19 2x1/2 - 28.2L Do you recommend the same size Inferno FT or an inch larger?

[@lilo1904]

@@eduardoreis9319 Nice question. Yeah Kale how would you suggest sizing 72 x FT x 77 for a quiver?

[@rctrix9063]

The sound is fin vibration. The carbon hull amplifies the vibrations like a guitar body.

[@radarhits316]

Hey bro, what would be your best fin recommendation for the album twinsman. Been watching all about how you have enjoyed the board and the skill levels it fits into. I’m 5.11 and am a early to mid intermediate surfer, would going smaller than a 6.0 be to much as I’m transitioning from a 6.0 x 19 75/100 performance type board (that I got second hand) and I’m unsure how small or big I should get the twinsman given it is a much more stable board than I have now. I’m young lol and for me it’s a lot of money so just want everything to be right haha. Thanks if you actually read all of this.

[@KalesBroccoli]

Twinsman video next weekend

[@radarhits316]

@@KalesBroccoli can’t wait, will that be the answer to my questions? 😁

[@tubopedia]

6:44 you added that sound effect in for effect, right?! Sounded wayyy to perfect, good on this board if it really did though!!

[@KalesBroccoli]

Hahaha yes I whistled whilst talking

[@NCsurfer607]

See that you ride this board in futures Rasta quads how does that differ from the fcs2 h4 fins ?

[@100percentsurf]

The back edge of a fin should be reasonably sharp if there is a thicker and or flat area on the trailing edge it can create a whistle. It doesn't need a lot of speed for that to occur. I am wondering about water being propelled through the fins and how that works. I really think how a modern shortboard performs is getting the balance of the board ie thickness distribution, placement of widest point of the board and placement of the deepest part of the concave and also length and width of the board in tune with the surfer. Buying a board of the rack like that is pot luck really. If for instance the thickness of the rails don't suit you weight or strength then transition speed between turns get affected. Having to move your back foot of the pad to get speed means the balance of the board is out. That does not mean there is anything wrong with the board. In this case the board looks really well balanced for Kales surfing.

[@jjleef]

I heard hum from a completely different surfboard when I first surfed those H4 fins.

[@lyhkmedia]

I’ve been learning to surf now for 2 months and I think I’m ready for a high performance board. Is this one you would recommend? I can get to my feet and do entry level poo squats. Thanks Sanchez

[@KalesBroccoli]

Have you done a wave pool retreat yet

[@KalesBroccoli]

The chlorine enhances your learning powers by 6.8% so I’d need to add that in to my calculations for volume

[@orelomer]

What fins did you use ?

[@user-rh3xf8fm4m]

Hi Kale, dose the surf shop support international shipping?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Maybe best to reach out!

[@foxgd9117]

Was the black surfboard with wax a pain?

[@declanlenne1754]

What size h4 quads are you using ??

[@zacloomer9647]

Thanks Kyle , Is the board your riding a p/u ?

[@KalesBroccoli]

PU

[@leviwunderli323]

Hey Kale..i just got a brand new Inferno Ft but with futures fin boxes. Which fin would you recommend? Cheers

[@KalesBroccoli]

Rasta quads

[@leviwunderli323]

🙏🏼 thanks

[@TheDazboo]

Have you had a chance to ride JS XERO performance board and if so any comparison? Cheers

[@KalesBroccoli]

Not yet :)

[@iane7669]

What construction was this PU or Dark Arts? Do you know if Felipe’s board was a Dark Arts?

[@augustocavalcanti]

What is the twin fin that your hanging on 14:13? I have whatched the twinny series, its the best comparision on the net.

[@KalesBroccoli]

Lightbender :)

[@KalesBroccoli]

Thank you!

[@jonkennard8272]

Not a board for the UK. Then if it didn't like wonky waves! Nice review though sticking to my thrusters though personally

[@jamiemolan8666]

Another great review that has me frothing for a new board! Only wish the ft came out in white, not a huge fan of the black boards🤔

[@KalesBroccoli]

Thy can do it in white for you :)

[@jamiemolan8666]

Don’t bloody tempt me! 🤣 I’m hoping they do a stock white option rather then a custom order. But I’d say I’ll cave and buy it black anyway 🙄😂

[@jamiemolan8666]

Are you riding it with the h4 in medium or large?

[@coastconstructionandremode8265]

So, what is your current favorite board in wonky or weaker waves?

[@kylestanford7574]

that whistle is from the back of your fins being dull. Sharpen them up and the whistle will go away.

[@trestlesrocks]

Yep, used to be a more common issue back in the glass on days

[@NCsurfer607]

Yeah don’t sharpen carbon fiber fins bad idea

[@KalesBroccoli]

They’re very sharp as is - definitely didn’t feel like a bad thing.

[@rasmuszaurins7233]

@@NCsurfer607 Wrong, it's the TRAILING edge that needs to be worked on when fins hume.

[@rasmuszaurins7233]

The TRAILING edge needs to be sanded into a really tiny square, like less than a 1mm, but not less than a 0,3mm, to prevent cutting. A square to release laminar water flow similar to a surfboards hard edged rail and tail.

[@blaubar5411]

Can you review the Bobby Quad?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Would be honoured

[@pirateunder40]

Kale, what are the sizes of the H4 fins?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Mediums for me

[@xxxxxxxx455]

Thanks for sharing the nice wave videos. I can't help also but think however that these are like paid nike commercials for shoes? I think the surf videos from the 90s looked exactly the same on their/our "old" boards. but maybe thats just me.

[@AmadeColenbrander]

What’s your height and weight?

[@_LGarcia]

You probably get this question a lot, but what is your height and weight? Just a friendly suggestion, maybe kindly add the board dimensions, liters of volume, and your height and weight in the link description when doing board reviews. Cheers mate!

[@stevehills5753]

How did you like it on your backhand

[@KalesBroccoli]

Yeah loved it as mentioned at the start.

[@jessemakesvideossometimes]

What construction is the board you have been riding?

[@KalesBroccoli]

PU

[@jessemakesvideossometimes]

@@KalesBroccoli it would be cool if you could try one in dark arts like filipe

[@brieuctribouillet7147]

Hi Kale, how about a 77 board review or/and HT2.5?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Maybe one day!

[@user-nf4ro3td2s]

Nothing to do with speed aside it's letting u know imperfections in the fin base and needs a lil gentle sanding

[@NCsurfer607]

Wonder how this board compares to the Bobby quad from channel island?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Very different shapes

[@awelldressedape3419]

I want to order one with a 5 fin plug setup and a squash tail 😆

[@Samklemens]

lol, sooooo like the original inferno 72? haha

[@awelldressedape3419]

@@Samklemens this has more foam pushed up, also no hip in the tail.

[@stevenhusmann3816]

that looks jus like me board 'cept I go 6'3 200 lbs so mine gets way more volume

[@arottie4097]

W0W!

[@calder_thomson]

❤

[@fosdikejames]

Do you run the fcs medium quads front and rear or just the rear?

[@user-gn1qc4kq1t]

How tall are you?

[@KalesBroccoli]

175cm

[@poepoe96ify]

My Dark Arts Inferno 72 has a four fin configuration. Have a couple of friends with the same board and same construction with 5 fin setup and they all prefer it as a quad by far. I wonder how different the two boards 72 vs FT feel both in a quad setup. If anyone has tried both please comment.

[@marcusdavis2208]

Swallow tail too?

[@bryanpoon2881]

Alot of good boards will feel good in perfect waves💁🏾‍♂️ just saying

[@samtru2675]

Anything goes good when it’s pumping 😂

[@Daniel-kg8rp]

Are kale sponsored by sharp eye now?

[@KalesBroccoli]

No

[@mattkester4357]

Why do my fins hum? Because they don't know the words!

[@UniqueStranger]

CI pro is better

[@lukealsmith]

Yeah I feel like this was a paid segment from Sharpeye themselves

[@waxcomb]

This was a pu or dark arts?

[@KalesBroccoli]

PU

[@waxcomb]

@@KalesBroccoli thanks!

[@tonyfoster7892]

Hey Kale! I highly recommend trying NAKED VIKING SURF COMPANY (NVS) Fins...The G10 Apex Series Fins are the fastest fins un the market PERIOD!!! I recommend the Peregrine (Tri/Quad) 5-Pack!! My Scott Crump Design 5'9" Quad is glued to my feet with the Peregrine/GL (80/20 Trailers)...Blowing minds! You've got to try NVS fins because you like surfing with controlled SPEED, POWER, & FLOW! These fins will also give you better hold on your bottom turns brother...NOTE: NVS fins come in both Future and FCS bases...I'm 5'9" 145 lbs and am riding the Medium Peregrine/GL Apex Fins in 1 to 8 ft face waves...God bless all

[@tonyfoster7892]

Btw...Scott Crump of Hollywood Surf Supply makes really rad boards!! Check him out also Kale...He's a true master craftsman, designer and short board ripper too!

[@calebsandercock8538]

My nvs peregrine quads hum. Annoying to have to sand the trailing edge of a set of fins that are apparently precision engineered