As well, maybe.? Different, certainly.?
Actually, I don't think surface area is particularly relevant in this case.? I'm making up the percentages, but the 1/3 of the Spatula that is under you feet may be providing 2/3 of the surface area with the front and back sharing the other 1/3.? On a regular ski, the 1/3 of the ski under the feet may only have 1/3 of the surface area, the front third has half of the surface area (and whatever is left for the tail).? Not only that, but a ski with a normal camber has to sink in the snow some amount before it decambers and whereas I believe the Spatula is already reverse cambered and so would turn in powder just by tipping?
My guess is that, with equivalent surface area, the Spatula floats higher on the snow and that the regular ski with the same area would have to allow the boot to sink in more before providing the same flotation.
Anyway, it will be really interesting to hear your ski review.
Hi Jim,
I agree that comparing the Spat to any ski but the Pontoon is problematic. However, the reverse sidecut of 120-125-115 makes a rectangle. The ski is almost straight-sided, unlike the shape of other modern skis which are deeply sidecut. The load on all skis is generally underfoot due to flex that allows the waist to sink in 3D conditions regardless of camber.
As you know, juggling a wide range of variables such as length, width (tip, waist & tail), camber, flex becomes very difficult an can only be accomplished by a few industry specific engineers. Even then, a little finesse and luck are required to resolve most ski design problems.
However, the original point concerning surface area is both simple & valid. A heavier skier needs a wider, more specialized ski for flotation than a lighter skier.
I skied powder last year with my 130 Lbs daughter who was on her 112-72-96mm Fischers. She had ample float, the same as another female skier I've skied powder with and who uses a Head Lightning 70. Yet very few adult male skiers would ever consider a <80mm ski to be suitable for high altitude deep powder.
The point remains, most above-average sized male skiers require a 90mm or wider ski for the kind of powder found in Utah, for example. Finding a versatile ski in this category is difficult at best.
Cheers,
Michael
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