Dark Arts Inferno 72 VS Inferno 72 PU | Sharpeye Surfboards Review 

I have a pu 72 in black and used a deck grip to help with the wax melting. When this one is done I am considering buying a 72 in EPs but not dark arts. 6/4oz glass deck. That way it last longer than pu but not $2k. Btw I ordered my 72 after your board comparison and I let sharpeye know that I ordered after seeing your vids.

Hey Kale, getting into your channel, all round very inspiring dude. Found one of those carver skateboards at the local tip with the weird 'springer' front trucks a while back and had no idea so thanks for clueing me into that. Lived for a couple of years out of an old converted 1977 F-100 ambulance in the 2000's surfing the eastern seaboard and making money busking on the street with my banjo ... its a sweet life brother :) Cheers Frankie

I bought my Inferno72 PU because of your videos. I love it

I was able to get a second hand dark arts inferno, the board is pretty amazing but I noticed it feels every bump if you surf in raw ocean conditions so it only works in clean conditions. Also I ride medium fins but noticed that large fins worked better because I think the board floats on the water more than a PU. Great video man!

Interesting to hear your thoughts here - I've had a similar experience with EPS and the rail disengaging when the surf goes overhead as well. I've personally just decided to accept the pressure dents and shorter lifespan for the sake of performance for the foreseeable future. Also, I love that you called out the fin change because I think a lot of surfers (myself included) are quick to blame the board when the problem is really the combination of the board and fins (and the waves). Changing fins has turned boards that were dogs into magic sticks for me.

Great review and surfing 🤙

Hi. Curious to know what made the board float on the water? Was it the thickness or volume or a combination of both?

Would love to see you do a comparison of specifically performance orientated knify boards such as the sharpeye and maybe the album infinity etc.

I think the black looks absolutely insane. One of the best looking boards around imo.

Like your video so much, would you consider to compare the album twinsman in PU or EPS and DA?

Killing it Kale

Any idea on if they're harder to repair then PU? If you do ding it that is ..

Would you order the same dimensions in both constructions? Any adjustments?

Nice update mate! Just a question. Have you found the sharpeyes, especially the PU inferno 72 volume/litres to be an accurate guide when compared with other brands. Was your infernos volume on PU the same that worked with other brands Thanks legend

Would you recommend the inferno 72 over CI OG Flyer for everyday conditions? 2-6 foots. Could you please describe the differences in feeling? Since they are continuous rocker vs stages.

The Dark Arts constitution makes a big difference on the performance of any model. I had 1 Inferno 72 Pu and so far on my 3rd Inf 72 Dark Arts (changing sizes), by far the Dark arts construction makes the board fell so much lively, light, springier and faster. They are expensive no doubt about it, but also the Dark Arts will last twice or even 3 times as long as a Pu.

I think the reality of the matter is that most people will not even know the differences, as most people aren't in the Kelly Slater league. Most people surf for pure pleasure. You can have fun on any board, with the right conditions. It's about dialing in on the board you're riding. I think most people are so use to something so specific that they don't know how to be in tune with different styles of boards. Most of my shortboarder mates can't even properly ride midlengths or fishes.

Looking forward to watching this. I purchased an Inferno72 in dark arts last August after you vids convinced that the inferno72 was something special. I’ve loved the board, but curious how the PU would go comparably. Mine has been bulletproof thus far, only thing I’ve contemplated doing is to spray it white or some other light color, especially on the deck because it gets so hot with any sun exposure when out of the water.

so stoked

I have twinsman dark art and it feels amazing..I wonder how dark art will fell and surfboards like ghost in bigger surf Because it’s feels exactly like regular surfboard but just much stronger

Kale more shortboard reviews would be great. Always enjoy your vids.

Love the reviews! Will you do a long term review of this board? I mean follow up if it's lasted $2000 worth of surfing hours? (I'm curious how many hours of surfing you think you would get out of a standard board before it's new board day) in mtb we can kinda gauge how long a bike par will last or need servicing after kms or hours of riding 🤘🤘

Hi Kale, interested by your comment on needing a "high performance shortboard in some conditions" (me sorta thinking the inferno was a HP shortboard). I used to surf pretty much high performance PU shortboards only, coming back to surfing with a 6-7 year hiatus, I keep trying newer style EPS boards but find the float just really hard to control, I prefer the feeling of being in the water, both manoeuvring, paddling and duck-driving. As soon as there is any wind, I find EPS even less forgiving! So much so, I generally prefer a heavy, grounded board. Should I stick to PU? I cant say I have tried an EPS board at the correct volume, which I guess for me is something like 26 litres to counteract the extra float (the EPS boards I have are 28/29), but its just a feeling/tuning I cant seem to find?! Am I mental? Is it really important to get a low volume EPS if you want more groundedness, or am I just too slow for speedy, lively EPS?... 😂

Enjoyed the video Kale. I bought the Pyzel Ghost (arrived in the beginning of September 2021) in DarkArts construction, primarily riding it in Hossegor and Southwest Basque Country. When the waves get overhead and above (also choppier), it starts to feel like I have to nurse it through sections instead of charging. So in my humble opinion, the threshold of this particular construction and shape is somewhere around head high. In overhead and conditions above, the board becomes really chattery and tricky, not completely unmanageable but also not giving you the hold and confidence of a PU construction. Regarding melting of the wax, my top is sprayed green but still and especially in summer, the wax starts to melt really fast and you have to rush from the car to the water and back, or immediately cover the board.

Yeah it would be nice to have a stronger inferno 72, I recently got a PU 72 and i was surfing a small shorebreak and fucked up the nose pretty badly, not just a ding but it was like it shattered but i managed to get it fixed pretty nicely.

For average Australian surf conditions, would you recommend the pu or the eps of the i72?

Hi brock, love your review videos! I just purchased an inferno 72 E2 epoxy (no stringer). Out of curiosity, what fins did you think worked best for most conditions on the inferno? I'de love to get some new fins for my new board and your opinion would be very helpful! the dark arts looks immaculate, after watching bells I'm feeling confident about buying a sharpeye. Keep up the quality content! Wish you the best on the growth of your channel!

I have an eps Inferno 72 and it’s nearly the same as my Darkarts Pyzalien 2, both 31.5L. Slightly more spring with the DA but you need to put it in extreme flex to reap that. The eps has more paddle power oddly, the inferno to me turns like butter vs the Pyzalien. The Pyzalien covers more conditions just get large or even extra large exterior fins like a 2+1 or Danes fins etc. The Darkarts feels slightly more organic than the eps but you gotta be really picky. I buckled my Darkarts twice hitting sand bottom, different waves, the nose a foot back and just before the tail pad, bottom didn’t crease. If you can afford the DarkArts it’s great to have just don’t let it hit bottom in heavy conditions doh! A few feet overhead wave size and wind + chop I used a Pancho XL fin or JJF’s Large eventually became my standard for nearly all conditions on my Darkarts (I’m 190-195lbs, 88.5-89kg). I let about 10 guys ride it and everyone loved it (on AM2’s), especially in Cali. For small conditions it’s a killer option, for bigger just get big stiff fins. DA could nearly be a 1 board quiver just take care of it. Catching more waves means you improve faster so it’s good for that. Do you need a Ferrari, no, but would you drive one if you could? 🤷‍♂️🤙 just take the time to get used to it, fin partnership is the key.

In the US the Dark Arts carbon construction is a $500 add on option. It's $800 for regular PU without any extras or $1,300 for Dark Arts and there are other construction options with costs between those two as well.

thanks Kale I had a pyzel one and just didn't like the feel of it despite loving eps boards.

same dimensions on both?

Hey Kale, nice review! What is your height and boards dimensions? Size, volume etc?

Few things you are missing is that vac bag flattens the cloth and changes the molecular structure making it snappier and livelier . #2 Get Gryptalyte clear deck traction wax problem solved .Way better than wax #3 My carbons have a vented leash plug which #1 eliminates pressure from heat expansion and #2 allows mine to endure the sun and last way longer . .Venting EPS is key .

Would love a update on the board after 1 year 🤙

Honest questions. would you suggest a 6'6 55L hybrid board for a brand new beginner?

Hey Kale! Nice review! BTW, were you using FCS II Performer medium or large fins ?

Has anyone else watched Stab’s Drive Thru and debate how strong the Dark Arts actually is now after seeing Parker Coffin buckle it launching an air?

the board arrived 12 months later after you asked for it? or 12 weeks?

Do you know whether you could easily fix a ding on a dark arts board?

The Dark Arts does look better but not over $1000.00 dollars better. If it last a lot longer than it can definitely be worth it. Like you said... The Dark Arts looks just a bit more lively and a bit quicker.. Great surfing as always.

You can order any Dark Arts board in 11 different color options if you order a custom directly.

Yay!!

Get down with your bad self mate. Yew🤙👀hope all's GREAT BROTHA!!!!?

Thoughts on libtech boards. Regular price and crazy longevity.

Think for that price it would come with a warranty. 12 months or 1200 waves, whichever came first! Others posting about them creasing/buckling. Will is blow up like a balloon when it gets hot in the sun, or do you carry an umbrella around for it?!!

EPS is Expanded Poly Styrene foam not epoxy. Epoxy is the resin used to laminate the cloth to the foam and also for the filler coat. You can use epoxy resin on PU (polyurethane) blanks but you cannot use polyester resin on EPS. The weight saving is in the blank because EPS has large particle foam with lots of air bubbles trapped between the cells compared to the PU foam. For that reason it also feels more buoyant, therefore you can make an EPS board 3mm thinner (less overall volume) and get the same sit-in-the-water feel. The boards also use lighter weight cloth which holds less resin thus less weight but also less strength and less durability hence the carbon reinforcement and the price. Stringers may or may not be used in EPS blanks having an effect on weight and flex, again why carbon tape stringers are often used in place of a wooden stringer. An EPS board is floaty and resists the rail carving into the water so design changes are made to the rails and rail edges too compared to a PU blank. Nice work Kale.

I can't tell the difference between the Darks Arts board and the PU variant. But, I do know that you surf better when wearing a hat.

If u could have one board to surf mostly 3-4 ft waves what would it be?

yeahhhh I bought my darks arts, and snapped it first Drop in Zicatela, Mexico. Surfed the board maybe 3 times before my surf trip. In order to get the board to stay "not so hot" I use pink or black wax. I will get another Darks Arts but know if it snaps, it is not fixable and darks arts wont replace or give a discount for another board.

John John didn’t spray the board red, the hot cote (2 layer of epoxy) has red pigment in it 🤙🏼 i know because I build carbon surfboards 🙌🏽🙌🏽 Love your channel 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

Best practice is to get the design dialed in via PU and once you think you’ve got it worked out, immortalize it in Dark Arts tech.

PU i72 in black is actually $1100

It's an EPS ( styrofoam) core and not an epoxy core. Epoxy resin must be used on this material because polyester contains styrene which is a solvent to EPS. In the world of organic chemistry, like dissolves like. Obviously styrene and polystyrene are like. Good show. Keep them coming. 👍

In my experience-when it’s choppy, epoxy boards suck compared to PU.

Id imagine there's not a huge difference between dark arts and a normal EPS board.

I think i’d rather still pick up an old 2nd hand Custom board for $350. Oh so Retro.

melty wax

or you know, get an EPS board and shit'll last you a lifetime...

$900 is $200 too much for a short surfboard. And the only people with $2000 boards are sponsored pros

PU for sure