I'm ready to buy a new (to me) board. I still love my '03 Premier 140 but just want to try something new. I want to stick with a 3-stage rocker and don't mind going to an abrupt 3-stage. <BR> <BR>I don't buy brand new boards because I'm too cheap, but the boards I'm considering are: <BR>03/04 Absolute 141 <BR>04 Gonzales 138 <BR>04 Premier 141 <BR>04 Byerly 137 <BR> <BR>I will demo as many as I can but will probably only get to ride the Hyperlites. <BR> <BR>I'm looking for a good transition from the 03 Premier with more vertical pop. Still a little loose like the finless 03 Premier. Any advice besides demo them?

I'm enjoying my new 05 Byerly (same as 04 different graphics). If you remove the center fin I would imagine it would give you the loose feel like your Premier. Haven't ridden it yet with the center fin out however. Definitely would recommend a demo. I had the same problem with only being able to demo a few hyperlite boards. I liked the premier, but like the aggressiveness of the new Byerly a little more.

Try the '04 CWB Prodigy. It's a lot like the premier. Maybe a little faster, but it's nice and loose depending on what fins you put on there and it has a subtle 3-stage rocker like the premier. But, the prodigy's rocker is 3", which should give you more pop than the premier. I just got the Prodigy Platinum 140 and like it a lot.

04 Absolute 141. Give it a try!

Collin, <BR>I have a 04 absolute, 141, the blue zane schwenk one. You can have it for $250. I rode it twice, Comes with the aluminum fins etc. Let me know when you come into town if you want to demo it, or just ride. <BR>Mike <BR>orlando <BR>2001 san <BR>I still ride my 03 premiere 140 dna

you should consider buying a new board even if its a 2003 model. Used boards over time lose shape and the performance isnt as good. Try to buy last years clearance boards. Evogear is selling 2003 boards for $99 and 2004 for $199.

leo, <BR>what is evo gear can you email it to me at <a href="mailto:wildwakeboarder2@aol.com">wildwakeboa rder2@aol.com</a>

Mike, thanks for the offer. I sent you an email about getting together. I'm very interested in how you thought the Absolute compared to the old Premier shape. <BR> <BR>Leo, I totally agree. I should have written that I don't buy the latest boards at full price. <BR> <BR>I'd rather try a non-hyperlite, so I'd like to hear from anyone that has ridden both a Gonzales and Absolute and can compare them.

I ride the Gonzalez and I love it. I rode an 03 premier (wasnt mine) a bunch last season and I loved it. I also couldnt demo anything but hyperlite, and I kinda wanted to check out another brand. But I heard that they are basically the same boards, which is true, so I went with the Gator. But personally, I think the Gator rides a little faster and pops better. Never rode the Absolute, but I can name about 10 guys on this site that swear by it.

<a href="http://www.evogear.com" target="_blank">www.evogear.com</a>

Ryan - The '03 Premier shape and the '04 Gonzales are IDENTICAL! <BR> <BR>surflover - don't count out the Substance. The Premier/Pickett/Gonzales shape and the Substance are my 2 most favorite shapes ever.