Afterburner vs. Fatburner (pulse)

The Afterburner and Fatburner or Pulse are similar in theme being Semi-Fish designs that suit 2 to 5 foot waves, with the Fatburner being the chunkier version.

Usually, surfers who are bigger, older or less experienced prefer the Fatburner in that it is easier to paddle and more stable to ride. The Afterburner is half way between the Fatburner and the Shortboard. It is easier to paddle than the shortboard and more stable. In terms of the paddle power and stability aspects, the gap between the Shortboard and the Afterburner is about as much as between the Afterburner and the Fatburner.

Sometimes, surfers know that they are suited to or already have an Afterburner or Semi-Fish of some other brand, but are considering whether to get a shorter Fatburner compared to the usual size for an Afterburner or Semi-Fish. For example, he usually rides a Semi-Fish at 64 19 1/2 2 1/2, so how would a 60 19 3/4 2 1/2 Fatburner or Pulse perform by comparison?

• Both boards have the same volume, but the Fatburner is a bit flatter in rocker so it paddles a tiny bit better.
• The Fatburner is shorter, so it is easier to weave about in flat turns on flatter waves, but is a bit harder to control in bigger waves.
• The Fatburner generates speed a bit quicker than the Afterburner, but the Afterburner is more controllable at all speeds.
• The Fatburner has less swing weight in that it is shorter, so top turns are snappier than the Afterburner, but again, when waves get a bit bigger, the Afterburner feels more solid when hitting lips or doing carves on the face.

Summary:

• 2 foot waves: The Fatburner is easier and more fun, whatever the wave shape.
• 3 foot waves: Both boards work about as well as each other, with the only difference being that the Fatburner is better than the Afterburner in flatter waves of the same height.
• 4 to 5 foot waves: The Afterburner is better than the Fatburner, but again, in flatter, full 5 foot waves, the Fatburner would be about as good as the Afterburner.