Formula Energy (Gary Mcneil) Aliens and the like.
Yeah got an alien probably a touch bigger than I shoulda asked for. Unreal for down the line eg north coast points, and also for paddling against north coast sweeps. Not so suitable for barreling reefs, had it in the mentawais and found it didnt really want to go vertical, instead it kinda drove out onto the shoulder too much and I ended up back on my trusty JC 6'4'' shortboard. At least partly my bad though for not ordering right...
Groundswell - now you got me...
I'm in SA visiting family so dont have the board handy for all of the dimensions but it was a 6'4". Must have been at least 20" wide and from memory it was 3" thick or very close to that.
Shoulda gone 6'1" - 6'2".
I'm 6'1" and weigh mid 90s.
Its a five fin set up and one thing to consider is fin placement, especially the back quad fins. In general the wider and closer to the front fins the back fins are the more it'll surf like a twinnie. I found this is the case with my formula energy. I am now on a hayden shapes shred sled and the back fins are positioned closer to the rear thruster fin position and in my opinion it makes this board surf more like a thruster (when finned as a quad) with the added speed usually associated with quads.
Because of this when I was riding the formula energy regularly and the surf got above head height and particularly when barrelling I found it handled it better as a thruster.
A 5'10" should suit you nicely @ 72kg.
If you can find out the volume this is really helpful.
I have found that my volume requirements are 32 litres minimum for shortboards and up around 35-36 litres for step up board.
I would guess that you would want something around 25-26 litres at a minimum. Good luck and have fun!!
I know this thread's a bit old now but thought I'd comment for other board buyers interested in Formula Energy. I've got a Nemo-Squirt and it's hands down the best/most fun board I've ever owned and probably ever ridden. It's a 5'10 x 19 3/4 x 2 1/2 (32 L) which I ride as a quad. I'm 5'11 and 74kg. It's very versatile, I ride it in everything up to about 4ft when I find it starts to get a bit too skatey with the swallow tail, quads and the huge amount of speed it generates, although it still picks up waves easily. Based on what Gary has told me the Alien is similarly versatile but handles the bigger/more powerful stuff better than the Nemo. For that reason, I've just ordered a custom Alien with a pin tail to handle the more solid days. Similar dimesnions and volume, but a touch longer and striaghter plan shape, 5'11 x 19 3/4 x 2 11/16. They're not cheap, especially with the USC parabolic rails malarkey, but they're supposed to be strong with the hemp deck. I doub't I'll stop riding the Nemo when it's under 3ft, it's just so good, but can't wait to try the Alien out.
scottishsponger wrote:I know this thread's a bit old now but thought I'd comment for other board buyers interested in Formula Energy. I've got a Nemo-Squirt and it's hands down the best/most fun board I've ever owned and probably ever ridden. It's a 5'10 x 19 3/4 x 2 1/2 (32 L) which I ride as a quad. I'm 5'11 and 74kg. It's very versatile, I ride it in everything up to about 4ft when I find it starts to get a bit too skatey with the swallow tail, quads and the huge amount of speed it generates, although it still picks up waves easily. Based on what Gary has told me the Alien is similarly versatile but handles the bigger/more powerful stuff better than the Nemo. For that reason, I've just ordered a custom Alien with a pin tail to handle the more solid days. Similar dimesnions and volume, but a touch longer and striaghter plan shape, 5'11 x 19 3/4 x 2 11/16. They're not cheap, especially with the USC parabolic rails malarkey, but they're supposed to be strong with the hemp deck. I doub't I'll stop riding the Nemo when it's under 3ft, it's just so good, but can't wait to try the Alien out.
Hi Scottish, are you still riding the nemo-squirt? How did the alien turn out? The reason why I am asking is because I am interested in a empress/nemstress/nemo twin keel board from Gary. I am looking for a fun board for 2-4ft east coast waves. Any feedback is much appreciated.
Cheers
Hey JaM, sorry for the massively tardy reply to your question, I've been o/s for a while. I'm still riding the nemo-squirt when its small, but have just got an Alien step-up for the bigger days which goes really well. I think I ordered too much volume in the custom Alien I ordered however - the plan shape has a lot of volume up front so I could have gone much thinner I reckon. I think the beaords you mentioned would gho really well in 2-4ft east coast waves. I ride the Nemo as a quad though.
Fellas, Gary McNeil isn't with Formula Energy anymore.
Thanks for the update stu, what happened to FE? Is Gary shaping elsewhere?
Yeah Jam, Gary has started his own label, GMC - Gary McNeil Concepts. Not real sure what happened with FE, I believe they're still operating but Gary definetely isn't involved.
He's using the same tech as he was at FE, and he's also got Rasta aboard. The models are new however, and the designs - Gary's boards have always had a distinctive look - are pretty far out.
He's just launched the website: http://garymcneillconcepts.com.au/
It doesn't have pricing but from reports the prices will be coming down a bit also.
Cool, thanks for the update. I am all for new designs but before forking out 1k, I d want to have a demo.
If the prices are more palatable, he ll do well. I ve always liked the look of his boards & will check them out.
Thanks again
Thanks for the information Stunet. I wasn't aware Gary had left Formula Energy. It sounds like Al Merrick leaving Channel Islands...I thought Gary WAS Formula Energy??
His new boards look the goods.
yeah, i agree - can't imagine that brand will last without rasta and gary. That said, i found the boards either amazing or dead. The super light flower art ones were excellent, but would break too easily and the hemp deck ones were too heavy and stiff. I think a small wave board would be the go - i broke two in a year in head high surf.
I've ridden half a dozen of his boards. Calling them all amazing might be a stretch but I definetely haven't had any dud ones. I could see how the bottom flex technology wouldn't work for every type of surfer. Hope that hasn't changed.
yeah - i'm not dissing Gary or his boards, i really like the alien design. I just found the tech ether too stiff or not durable enough. In fact it was similar to the HS tech. My boards looked two years old after a ten sessions! That hemp stuff was strong through - looked new when i sold it. Would love something in- between.
JaM wrote:Cool, thanks for the update. I am all for new designs but before forking out 1k, I d want to have a demo. If the prices are more palatable, he ll do well. I ve always liked the look of his boards & will check them out. Thanks again
It appears Gary's prices have come down with the new label. Check this page on his website: http://garymcneillconcepts.com.au/397-2/
Prices range from $595 to $895.
I got the new formula energy usc alien and stoked with it , less twitchy than my old one, but still heaps of drive. more of a constant speed , i guess more "buttery"..feels really good under the arm, Hows they new team rider, Bryce Young ,that's Nat Young youngest son. He shreds , cant wait to see footage of him on the usc boards , he has a mad style and air game..
I have just bought another FE board from the guys there. The shaper who i met jason , shaped my board , and it has to be one of the cleanest line boards I have. Couldn't be happier with it. He apparently rips too and seems to know what he is on about. I've had two now from him and they are spot on. He won the burleigh single fin classic in 2012 so would highly recommend these boards.
Love the boards and cool factory down there too.
Im 166cm 67kgs. I have a predetor round pin 5 fin 510 18 3/4 2 3/8 AZ rocker that I have had for 2 1/2 years that I use for slaby reefs big clean beachs etc. Its my go to board when waves are solid and clean. Paddles in well. Im down south vic in 4/3 wetsuits. Mostly ride as quad. Boards held up well. I got another of Gary same dimmen except 2 5/16 thick but the rails were too low and it would catch and not drive through turns. Sold that one. Have a honey badger model on the way with swallow 5 fin and will prob order a usc 5"8 all rounder blend model as well (maybe) Good to hear the new shapers putting out some good boards
Thanks for the kind words Jesonko-bot. My sincerest apologies that I had to delete the spammy part of your message.
Hahaha.
Good Ol josonko, always full of gratitude.
Anyone ridden an alien or other shapes by Gary? i have an alien step up and its a great board for solid or bigger days but doesnt like it below headhigh much. the rails are so low the board doesnt carry much volume for a semi fishy shape.
I like his quad settings. Not sure if mine were different as i asked for more drive rather than turn, board does just that with rear fins a bit further back than many quads.
I got the zinc rocker but want to try az rocker for a smaller wave more all round board.
Keen to here some reviews of his other shapes.