Hellcat 08 vs Hellcat 09

[oldnbroken]

I'm curious about the differences in ride from the 08 to the 09?
Anybody that has ridden or owned both?
Is the new one worth trading up to?...or will the difference be minimal?
Is it a lot lighter? Is it as stiff?
Is the W cave on the new one an improvement that is worth making the change for?
Tell me what you know, thanks.

[gabriel[abc]]

some people like the pleasure dome and some people dont. its all personal preference really. i have never ridden an '09 yet but i do love my '08

[Kenny_Ledesma]

The dbs one has a definite flex but IDK about the regular one.

[Bomb303]

The dbs one has a definite flex but IDK about the regular one.

dbs one my friend has, has a steeper w than the regular 09 hellcats, and is not flexy... considering it has more intense bends, it should be stiffer too.

[Kenny_Ledesma]

dbs one my friend has, has a steeper w than the regular 09 hellcats, and is not flexy... considering it has more intense bends, it should be stiffer too.

My friend has one from the second run so it might be different but it has the regular cave and has flex, not a lot by any means, but it is there.

[D3vO]

I have an 08 and recently got to ride the 09 and they are very different. First off the 09 was a tad lighter, not by much but it was noticeable.

The 09 felt like it was stiffer, due to the pleasure dome keeping the middle of my foot up. My 08 doesn't flex at all so it was just a perception thing because of the different concave.

That's what makes these two boards completely different....the concave. Its all up to if you like it or not. Both decks were made well, super stiff and felt comfortable under my feet but so are many other boards out there. The pleasure dome makes the 09 a new beast, not something I'm going to sell my 08 for but when this one breaks in half I'll probably get the newer version of it.

[Blix]

I love my 08' and sure wouldn't trade it for a 09'... I personally don't like how they made it wider in the rear and if it have the same lame (at least for me) concave in front as the 09 Avenger, and I've gotten feedback it's pretty much the same, well no thanks.

[oldnbroken]

The 08 Hellcat concave feels just like the 08 Avenger concave, right?... sort of a tub/radial consistent curve all the way across with a sharp rail?

The 09 Hellcat front concave is not like that?.... is it flatter or something?

I can see the 09 Hellcat rear has the W thing going on.

[Blix]

The 08 Hellcat concave feels just like the 08 Avenger concave, right?... sort of a tub/radial consistent curve all the way across with a sharp rail?

Yeah, awesome concave that works for both small and large feet.

The 09 Hellcat front concave is not like that?.... is it flatter or something?

I can see the 09 Hellcat rear has the W thing going on.

The rear W is nice, it's the front concave they messed up IMO, it's very flat with a small w going and not very steep at the sides, which my small feet didn't like at all, way less leverage over the trucks for me.

[guitarchick2182]

i've the 09 hellcat and a friend of mine has the dbs version. his board definitely has a noticeable flex compared to mine...

i've ridden the 08 and the 09 and i have to say i like both but it really depends on whether you like the w cave.

[PierreNZ]

I've got a hellcat 2009 and a friend of mine have the 2008. They looks totally different. On the 2009, you have much more foot space for your rear feet, and the W concave give you a very solid tuck.
I really like the 2009, as I think It's easier to find a comfortable position for your foot . But then, I think it's also depending of each riders...
I'm riding my hellcat with Aeras 186mm and Otang InHeat, and It's an awesome setup, who make me feel very stable at high speed
I definitely recommend the hellcat 2009

[oldnbroken]

Bump it up.
Anybody else?

[a_speck_of_dust]

ive stood on and skated a few 09s and i really didnt like it. the W bugs the #### outta me and it kinda sucks for me to tuck in. also its alot wider than my 07 hellcat and it just doesnt feel like a hellcat. i prefer the 07 because its narrower (i have size 12 feet and the widest point measures 9.25") and theres no W to get in my way. the only downside to my 07 though is that it has gotten soaked and thrashed and is pretty damn flexy after skating it for 2 years. id try to get an 07-08 if i were you

[longboardingchick]

personal preference. I like the 08 better cos it's smaller considering i'm only 5" the 09 is way to big for my liking.

[TexasBomber]

Really perfer the 08 Hellcat. The W thing was mostly intended to make the deck more versitile for freeriding and more choice of foot placement. I perfer low setup for this deck, my 08's sole purpose is for the DH. (hence teh 08 smokies and 4 Prez)

[Daniel M.]

Really perfer the 08 Hellcat. The W thing was mostly intended to make the deck more versitile for freeriding and more choice of foot placement. I perfer low setup for this deck, my 08's sole purpose is for the DH. (hence teh 08 smokies and 4 Prez)

How would adding w-concave ever make a board more versatile and give more foot placement options?? you're standing on a hump if you push it backwards...

[TexasBomber]

How would adding w-concave ever make a board more versatile and give more foot placement options?? you're standing on a hump if you push it backwards...

They made the changes to make the hellcat ideal for freeriding and racing. Thus making the board more versitile than my 08.

The W concave makes it easy for riders to master toe side corners, pre-drifts and slick stand-up slides by adding a second concave in the middle of the board. When engaged in sticky situations, this pleasure dome grips your toes where there is
normally no concave. When in heel-side turns the pleasure dome ensures no foot slip.
Thus giving the board more foot placement options to foot grip on to and not just the outer edges.

RAYNE Longboards - Canada's Premiere Longboard Manufacturer

[Blix]

The Rayne hyping works

Personally after a couple of months with a deck with pleasure dome, I'd take a deck with a nice deep concave over PD any day, like my 08' Hellcat.

The rear w is nice for foot placement in a tuck and feels great in toeside turns, but not a must...

[oldnbroken]

Personally after a couple of months with a deck with pleasure dome, I'd take a deck with a nice deep concave over PD any day, like my 08' Hellcat.

You have the new Avenger?

[Blix]

You have the new Avenger?

I had the new Avenger....