Two very different rides. Ones a softer mtn freestyle twin that isn't a good freeride board at all. It's good for a twin for carving especially if you ride switch. The other is a tapered directional board with a very different camber profile that is much more forgiving and needs a lot of back foot weight to have a fun carve out of the tapered tail but it's very fun. I would get neither if you want a board for riding fast and carving hard. If you want to get real help on what is the best board to buy, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
These are very different boards. The Ocra/Apex Orca are very similar and just have a different flex/construction. The BSOD and Mega Merc are very different from the Orcas. They can all go pretty fast but the Capita's are more stable because of the camber profile. The Orca's kill it in powder over the Capita's if you want super easy directional float. For making good turns I like the Orca's and BSOD better than the Mega Merc. Capita's have faster bases though. Can't stress enough how massively different the Orca's are from the Capita's though. They appeal to 2 very different riding styles.
@@thegoodridesnow Thanks for the answer. I don't quite understand how these boards can be that different, when they, as far as I understand it, appeal to the same rider group (AllMtn/Freeride/Powder)? Thanks again.
I think you would probably like the 161 Golden Orca but it depends on what make/model/size board you are used to now. Hit me up here if you want to get into this in more detail. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Apples to oranges. Very hard to compare. CFV is twinish and not tapered with not much grip but lots of pop and a faster base. The Orcas are massively more set back on board, have lots of taper, like a lot of back foot weight over the camber on the tail for groomers and float much better in pow but have a slower base. Both are very forgiving.
Hi James. How does the Orca (Apex) compare tot the Yes Y? I love to carve short turns against the wall on the side of the slope. Like surfing :) The Yes Y is pretty good (lot op grip and a short radius) at it but I like it a bit stiffer. Is the Orca (Apex) like this? Is the Orca (Apex) a good bomber board? I love to go straight of the mountain and make some speed checks to control it. And how is the Orca (Apex) of flat paths? Is that good with the Orca (Apex)?
So both boards have a similar shape and sidecut but both have a different feel underfoot. You get a stiffer board with the Apex vs. the Y but you get a loose camber profile. It's not going to track well on flat paths and it's best to be a little on edge when you go straight. Some care about that and some don't because the Apex is more slashy and playful than the Y. It also has a little more directional/set back feel. I think if you want a stiffer/damper Y go 2023 YES Optimistic.. If you want something completely different underfoot and want to try something new go Apex.
So I don't know anything about @alexdoran11 so it's hard to say what's best for you. If you want a lot of response and easy in/out but a pretty locked in feel at your knees and no adjustability go Burton Step On. If you want a super reliable/very adjustable normal feeling binding the Force with Infuse or Ion would work really well too. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Yeah it would be a really soft/buttery/playful ride for your specs but more playfulness from what? I'm exactly the same specs as you and I wasn't into the 153 as a daily driver. Felt a little small for me and the 157 is a little too much board for me though. Not sure if this is a good fit for you. Hit me up here if you want real in depth advice. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Not the Merc. Maybe the Apex Orca. You might want something more stable like the Gremlin or Hovercraft 2.0. Or hit me up here if you want to get into it more and do this right. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/yes-warca-2023-2024-snowboard-review/
How about the Apex orca vs TRS, for deep carving, riding fast, and freeride?
Two very different rides. Ones a softer mtn freestyle twin that isn't a good freeride board at all. It's good for a twin for carving especially if you ride switch. The other is a tapered directional board with a very different camber profile that is much more forgiving and needs a lot of back foot weight to have a fun carve out of the tapered tail but it's very fun. I would get neither if you want a board for riding fast and carving hard. If you want to get real help on what is the best board to buy, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
in terms of carving, edge hold and pop…. Apex Orca or Gremlin?
Gremlin if you know how to handle almost full camber. If you want something forgiving Apex Orca.
How does this (and orca) compare to mega merc/bsod regarding charging and carving groomers and going into powder/freeride?
These are very different boards. The Ocra/Apex Orca are very similar and just have a different flex/construction. The BSOD and Mega Merc are very different from the Orcas. They can all go pretty fast but the Capita's are more stable because of the camber profile. The Orca's kill it in powder over the Capita's if you want super easy directional float. For making good turns I like the Orca's and BSOD better than the Mega Merc. Capita's have faster bases though. Can't stress enough how massively different the Orca's are from the Capita's though. They appeal to 2 very different riding styles.
@@thegoodridesnow Thanks for the answer. I don't quite understand how these boards can be that different, when they, as far as I understand it, appeal to the same rider group (AllMtn/Freeride/Powder)? Thanks again.
Hey great review!
I’m 6.4 sizeboot 11.5 weight 185 would you recommend 157 golden orca or 160
I think you would probably like the 161 Golden Orca but it depends on what make/model/size board you are used to now. Hit me up here if you want to get into this in more detail. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
@@thegoodridesnow yeah I’m used to the skate banana 159. Rode it through everything for last 10 years ready to upgrade for pow season!
Yeah, based on what I know about you here you would probably be happier with the Golden Orca 161.5.
The apex orca does look awesome though, I am looking to find an OG orca but the apex calls me.
Apex orca is expensive asf tho but very nice
How do the Orca and Apex Orca compare to Burton Custom Flying V? I like to ride trees, powder and bomb groomers in Vail
Apples to oranges. Very hard to compare. CFV is twinish and not tapered with not much grip but lots of pop and a faster base. The Orcas are massively more set back on board, have lots of taper, like a lot of back foot weight over the camber on the tail for groomers and float much better in pow but have a slower base. Both are very forgiving.
Thoughts on a size for a golden orca? 5'7", 165, size 10 boot.
153 would be a good choice for your specs.
Hi James. How does the Orca (Apex) compare tot the Yes Y? I love to carve short turns against the wall on the side of the slope. Like surfing :) The Yes Y is pretty good (lot op grip and a short radius) at it but I like it a bit stiffer. Is the Orca (Apex) like this? Is the Orca (Apex) a good bomber board? I love to go straight of the mountain and make some speed checks to control it. And how is the Orca (Apex) of flat paths? Is that good with the Orca (Apex)?
So both boards have a similar shape and sidecut but both have a different feel underfoot. You get a stiffer board with the Apex vs. the Y but you get a loose camber profile. It's not going to track well on flat paths and it's best to be a little on edge when you go straight. Some care about that and some don't because the Apex is more slashy and playful than the Y. It also has a little more directional/set back feel. I think if you want a stiffer/damper Y go 2023 YES Optimistic.. If you want something completely different underfoot and want to try something new go Apex.
@@thegoodridesnow Thanks a lot!
would the apex orca/standard orca go well with burton step on ?
Yeah it would work fine.
@@thegoodridesnow vans infuse with union force or step up / burton ions ?
So I don't know anything about @alexdoran11 so it's hard to say what's best for you. If you want a lot of response and easy in/out but a pretty locked in feel at your knees and no adjustability go Burton Step On. If you want a super reliable/very adjustable normal feeling binding the Force with Infuse or Ion would work really well too. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Would 153 be a good size for a golden orca if I'm looking for more playfulness? 5 10 185 boot size 9
Yeah it would be a really soft/buttery/playful ride for your specs but more playfulness from what? I'm exactly the same specs as you and I wasn't into the 153 as a daily driver. Felt a little small for me and the 157 is a little too much board for me though. Not sure if this is a good fit for you. Hit me up here if you want real in depth advice. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
What the factory side bevel cut on regular 2022 orca? Need to tune mine
Not sure. Best to ask Mervin (Lib & Gnu) that. Sorry.
Apex Orca or Merc for bombing on the ice coast?
Not the Merc. Maybe the Apex Orca. You might want something more stable like the Gremlin or Hovercraft 2.0. Or hit me up here if you want to get into it more and do this right. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/yes-warca-2023-2024-snowboard-review/
@@thegoodridesnow I'll check it out! Have a chance to grab either one of those for a crazy good deal.
Have you noticed much difference from year to year in the orca?
No. Pretty much the same year over year. Wood varies from board to board but overall there was very little difference.