The battle! Pyzel Red Tiger Vs. Phantom

Pyzel Red Tiger
Characteristics and Attributes
Design Intent: The Red Tiger is designed for high-performance surfing. It offers a blend of speed, control, and maneuverability.
Shape and Contours: It typically features a more pronounced rocker (the curve of the board from nose to tail), which aids in making sharp turns and handling steep waves.
Tail Design: The tail is often a squash or swallow design, aiding in quick turns and providing stability in various wave conditions.
Fin Setup: The Red Tiger usually comes with a thruster (three-fin) setup, which is ideal for aggressive surfing and offers a good balance between control and maneuverability.
Construction Material: Commonly made with high-quality foam and fiberglass, ensuring durability and performance.
Suitable Conditions: Best used in medium to large waves where its design allows surfers to execute sharp maneuvers.
User Demographic: Ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers who seek a board that challenges and matches their skill level.
Pyzel Phantom
Characteristics and Attributes
Design Intent: The Phantom is crafted for versatility. It's a go-to board for a wide range of conditions, offering a balance between performance and ease of use.
Shape and Contours: It has a more moderate rocker compared to the Red Tiger, making it more suitable for a variety of wave conditions, from small to overhead waves.
Tail Design: The Phantom often sports a rounded pin or squash tail, providing a smooth ride and stable feel.
Fin Setup: It also typically features a thruster setup, but its fin placement and foil are tuned for a blend of speed, drive, and maneuverability in diverse conditions.
Construction Material: Similar to the Red Tiger, it is built with high-grade foam and fiberglass, but the design may incorporate more flex for a different surfing feel.
Suitable Conditions: Excels in a broad range of wave sizes, making it a great all-rounder.
User Demographic: Perfect for surfers of all skill levels, particularly those looking for a single board to handle most surfing conditions.
Comparison
Performance vs. Versatility: The Red Tiger is more performance-oriented, best in larger and steeper waves, whereas the Phantom is an all-rounder, adaptable to a wider range of conditions.
Rocker Profile: The Red Tiger’s pronounced rocker aids in aggressive maneuvers, while the Phantom’s moderate rocker offers a balance between responsiveness and ease of riding.
Tail Shape: The Red Tiger's tail is designed for quick, sharp turns, whereas the Phantom’s tail provides a smoother and more stable ride.
Suitability for Surfers: The Red Tiger caters to those with a more aggressive and skilled approach, while the Phantom is suitable for a broader range of skill levels, offering a forgiving ride without compromising on performance.
Conclusion
Both the Pyzel Red Tiger and Phantom surfboards are exemplary in their design, crafted for different purposes and surfing styles. The Red Tiger appeals to the experienced surfer seeking a high-performance board for challenging waves, while the Phantom serves as a versatile option for surfers looking for an adaptable and forgiving board.

[@nic_louw]

Great comparison!

[@jakewetzel3186]

thanks man!

[@papamarban2185]

Great review..Jake. Always descriptive. I have the stock 5'9 phantom and it does go best with AM1-medium fins for me. (I only have the thruster set-up). I know that bog you speak of on the phantom. It does go well in slopey waves, but I think with the wide point being forward of center and a wider nose it will tend to bog based on length. Depending on the surfer's stance, if the board is too long, the front foot will be well behind center. As a result, more weight will be distributed to the tail and not the wide point, where speed and float is best. Surfer height and stance are important depending on each board's foil, rocker, and width front or behind center. Pyzel does make XL dims which I think is important. Better to go wider and thicker to get the volume, but not longer. All the shapers make the board longer, wider, and thicker to increase the volume. Instead, they should limit length (to a degree) and focus on width/thickness. Surprised shapers haven't realized their mistake on this yet.

[@jakewetzel3186]

very good points man. thank you!

[@HTR92]

You looked better TBH in the RT footage, more snappy, closer to the pocket. Phantom footage had better waves. I have both boards too. I found the R8s to be too drawn out on the RT but good for days that require it. I prefer the Pyzel fins in the RT, good drive and not too tight. The R8s make the board more like the Phantom imo. The Pyzel fins Make the RT feel like I think Pyzel meant the RT to be. Agree with pretty much everything you have said here, nicely put

[@jakewetzel3186]

thanks for the info , definitely worth trying those out!

[@HTR92]

@@jakewetzel3186 cool. post a video if you liked them!

[@rog86]

Do you prefer the phantom over the rt then?

[@HTR92]

@@rog86 I prefer the Red Tiger. But I also have a Gremlin for smaller or slopier waves. Get the Phantom if you want more of a one board quiver, it has more range for a variety of waves and is very stable. Get the RT if you have another board for groveling, and want a more rail to rail vertical snappier experience.

[@jakewetzel3186]

@@rog86 yes

[@RBNK157]

have you tried the JS xero gravity ? im really considering either the phantom or the Xero gravity

[@jakewetzel3186]

not yet, thats definitely one to add to the list !

[@RBNK157]

what is your opinion on JS generally ?@@jakewetzel3186

[@MarcRademacher]

👍 I would love to hear from someone who had the chance to compare these boards!

[@tiagocarvalho983]

What are the material of your boards PU or Epoxy? Do you have ride the Pyzelien 2?

[@jakewetzel3186]

they are PU. I have ridden a pyzalien 2 , my girlfriend has one. I need to get some more testing on it.

[@tiagocarvalho983]

@@jakewetzel3186 ok when you tested more make a video. Thank you

[@MrRobinski]

Whats the width and thickness of each board.

[@jakewetzel3186]

red tiger: 5’10”x19.38”x2.44 29.6L phantom: 5’9”x19.56”x2.5 29.8L

[@surfininmy40s]

I always see the Red Tiger on Craigslist. Seems like not many like it

[@iampetrunin]

maybe it's just because it's Pyzel's bestseller?

[@paulsmith5167]

What is your weight and height?

[@jakewetzel3186]

height is 6’1 and my weight varies from 178-185lbs

[@paulsmith5167]

@@jakewetzel3186 that’s interesting, you don’t find riding a 5ft 9 to small?

[@jakewetzel3186]

@@paulsmith5167 it feels perfect, i bumped up the girth on it.