Heres my .02 on these boards. Ive ridden both the 13 CFV and Sherlock, and own(ed) the 10 Custom V 56, 11 CFV(without squeezebox) 58, 12 CFV 58 and 12 Sherlock 57(for comparisons sake). I spent plenty of time last year on the CFV and Sherlock, both very fun boards but have a diff 'feel'. The CFV is very stable, charges, and has very good pop when loaded up for ollies, and the FV shape floats really well in pow. Overall a very good peak to park type of board. The Sherlock had softer tips and was def more playful. It still holds an edge just as well, but I think it floats and stays on top of pow slightly better. I still argue that the Sherlock is an amazing park board, eventhough you only here about peoples pow reviews. For me the Sherlock is a one board quiver. Whereas with the CFV, I would still like a softer screw around board for those small park springtime days. If you charge all day long, go with the CFV, if you like to relax a little more and screw around and not always be on it, look at the Sherlock. If pow is a major concern, just buy a dedicated pow stick!
Now onto the 13 version of these boards. When I had the 11 CFV(no squeezebox), I was thoroughly unimpressed. It felt no diff than my 10 CV and didnt seem to have any increase in edge grip or pop. I quickly ditched it and rode a Nug 50 for the remainder of the season. The Joystick felt really similar to the CV, so I know where youre at. When the 12 had the squeezbox, I noticed a HUGE diff and the board rode like I thought it should. It was grippy when railing turns, the tips stayed on the snow, not bouncing aroung like many rocker boards ride, the snap and pop were there when you wanted. Overall, exactly what I wanted and what I expected it to ride like. So the 13 Sherlock added squeezbox and I was super excited to ride it. I figured it would be a big diff to the board, just like it was to the CFV. I was wrong. Its hard to explain, but its almost like they took some of the fun out of the Sherlock. It didnt have the soft playful tips anymore, yet it didnt have the ollie snap of the CFV. It rode fine, but felt like it didnt want to leave the snow. I rode both the 57mw and the 58mw with my sz11 SLX, the 57 did feel quicker edge to edge, but not enough of a diff to make me not get the 58 if they were sold out of the 57. I feel the same about the CFV 58mw vs the other CFV 58mw.
tldr: It sounds like you would be happy on the CFV. With your sz 11.5 boots, both version are mid wides and will be fine for you. It all depends on how you ride, but the smaller ww would be a little quicker edge to edge, but the bigger ww would give you a little extra surface area for pow float and a little more forgiveness on groomers. Btw, I call bs on the B marketing machine with the "wide" version of these boards. There is a .5cm diff between the reg and "wide" version, which means both would be fine for boot sz 11-12, which they also happen to market as "midwides" on other models.
no, not hokkaido. close to Hakuba.
