Donald Takayama vs Harley Ingleby Thunderbolt Surfboards
Both lineups are built by Thunderbolt in Red and Black constructions. Here is how the shapes differ and how to pick one.
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Quick answer: Neither lineup is better across the board. Donald Takayama boards lean toward classic noseriding and easy all-round longboarding, and Harley Ingleby boards lean toward performance surfing. Both are built by Thunderbolt in the same Red and Black constructions, so the difference is in the shape.
For an intermediate surfer, pick by the wave you ride most and what you want to do on it. For noseriding look at the In The Pink or HI4, for one board most days the DT-2 or Diamond Drive 2.0, and for something shorter the Scorpion 2, DT Egg, MID 6 or MOE.
In This Guide
Who Is Behind Each Lineup?
Donald Takayama grew up surfing in Waikiki, and Harley Ingleby is an Australian pro who won two World Longboard titles. Same construction, two very different stories.
Donald (1943 to 2012) moved to California as a boy to work with shaper Dale Velzy, then spent his career shaping longboards and noseriders and founded Hawaiian Pro Designs. Read his full story in Who Was Donald Takayama?.
Harley works with shaper Billy Tolhurst on the HI Series. Hear Harley in Harley Ingleby talks about Thunderbolt Technology.
What Do the Two Lineups Share?
Every board here uses the same Thunderbolt build: an EPS foam core, flex parts inside, hand lamination and epoxy resin. Each comes in Thunderbolt Red or Thunderbolt Black.
Red and Black are construction names, not colors. Red has carbon fiber flex parts inside and a medium spring back. Black adds a carbon fiber outer skin and has the quickest spring back.
So a Takayama and a Harley in the same construction start from the same build, and the shape is what changes. More on the build is in our Thunderbolt questions post.
How Do the Longboards Compare?
Same length is not the same board. At 9'1" the In The Pink is 23" wide and 71.5 liters, while the HIHP Speed is 63.7 liters. That is almost 8 liters apart at one length, so compare width and volume first.
Takayama. The DT-2 is an all-round longboard that noserides well in small surf and still works when it gets bigger. The In The Pink is a performance noserider.
Harley. The HI4 is his performance longboard, built for walking and noseriding. The Diamond Drive 2.0 is an all-rounder that catches waves easily, and the HIHP Speed has a narrower nose and tail for performance surfing.
| Model | Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In The Pink | 9'1" | 23" | 3" | 71.5 L |
| HI4 | 9'1" | 22 9/16" | 2 3/4" | 64.5 L |
| HIHP Speed | 9'1" | 21 7/8" | 2 7/8" | 63.7 L |
| DT-2 | 9'0" | 22 3/8" | 2 7/8" | 64.3 L |
| Diamond Drive 2.0 | 9'2" | 22 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 64.8 L |
| In The Pink | 9'3" | 23" | 3" | 73 L |
| HI4 | 9'3" | 23" | 2 7/8" | 70.1 L |
| DT-2 | 9'4" | 22 5/8" | 3" | 70.7 L |
| In The Pink | 9'6" | 23 1/16" | 3 1/16" | 75 L |
| Diamond Drive 2.0 | 9'6" | 23 1/4" | 3 1/8" | 78.6 L |
| DT-2 | 9'8" | 22 7/8" | 3 1/16" | 77.5 L |
The matchups are clear: In The Pink and HI4 for noseriding, DT-2 and Diamond Drive 2.0 as all-rounders, and the HIHP Speed as the performance pick.
How Do the Mid-Lengths Compare?
Takayama's shorter boards carry more foam at the same length. A 6'8" Scorpion 2 is 49 liters and a 6'8" MID 6 Mini is 39 liters, so pick the volume you want first and the length second.
Takayama. The Scorpion 2 paddles fast, turns quickly and runs as a single, 2+1 or quad. The DT Egg glides like a longboard and turns like a shorter board.
Harley. The MID 6 is a performance mid-length with six channels. The MOE is the easy one, wider and with more foam for its length.
| Length | Donald Takayama | Harley Ingleby |
|---|---|---|
| 6'4" | Scorpion 2: 21 5/8" x 2 3/4", 43 L | MID 6 Mini: 20" x 2 5/8", 36 L |
| 6'8" | Scorpion 2: 21 7/8" x 2 7/8", 49 L | MID 6 Mini: 20 1/4" x 2 11/16", 39 L |
| 7'0" | Scorpion 2: 22 1/8" x 2 7/8", 54.7 L; DT Egg: 21 1/4" x 2 3/4", 44.5 L | MID 6: 20 1/2" x 2 5/8", 40.3 L |
| 7'4" | None | MOE: 22 1/2" x 2 7/8", 52.9 L |
| 7'6" | DT Egg: 21 3/4" x 2 7/8", 53.7 L | MID 6: 21" x 2 3/4", 47.9 L |
What Fins Do They Take?
Takayama's longboards and the DT Egg are 2+1, and the Scorpion 2 has a 4+1 box. Harley's longboards use a 4+1 box, the MID 6 has five FCS boxes and the MOE has a 4+1 box.
For a Takayama longboard, a Takayama Halo 2+1 setup or a DT Flex Fin single are both good starting points. The Halo is a center fin and side bite system, and the Flex Fin is a single fin that pivots and holds.
For Harley's boards, the FCS II Harley Ingleby fin sets are made for them. Browse all longboard fins too.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose by the wave and the goal, not the name.
For noseriding: In The Pink or HI4. For one longboard most days: DT-2 or Diamond Drive 2.0. For performance in better surf: HIHP Speed.
For something shorter with longboard glide: Scorpion 2, DT Egg, MID 6 or MOE. If you are moving up from beginner, the Scorpion 2, DT Egg or MOE give you more foam and stability.
Waves on Oahu's South Shore can change a lot from one session to the next, so think about how easily a board paddles and gets going, along with the wave you ride most.
Not Sure Which One Fits?
Come by the shop or send us your height, weight, current board and home break, and we will narrow it to one model, one length and one construction.
Hawaiian South Shore
320 Ward Ave, Suite #111, Honolulu, HI 96814
Call or text (808) 597-9055
sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, a Takayama or a Harley Ingleby Thunderbolt?
Neither is better across the board. Both are built by Thunderbolt in Red and Black constructions. Takayama boards lean toward classic noseriding and easy all-rounders, and Harley boards lean toward performance.
What is the difference between the In The Pink and the HI4?
Both are good noseriders. At 9'1" the In The Pink is 23" wide and 71.5 L, and the HI4 is 22 9/16" wide and 64.5 L, so the In The Pink has more foam and width.
Which is easier for an intermediate surfer?
The DT-2, In The Pink and Diamond Drive 2.0 are the easier longboards. For shorter boards, the Scorpion 2, DT Egg and MOE have more volume and stability.
Takayama fin: Halo or Flex?
The Halo is a center fin with matching side bites for a 2+1 setup. The DT Flex Fin is a single fin with an upright base and a raked tip. Tell us your fin boxes and we will help you choose.
Is Thunderbolt Red a color?
No. Red and Black are Thunderbolt construction names. Red has carbon fiber flex parts inside, and Black adds a carbon fiber outer skin.
Where can I see both lineups in Honolulu?
At our shop, 320 Ward Ave, Suite #111, Honolulu. Call or text (808) 597-9055 or email sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com.