Genuine question Ian as, despite owning a foot either side, i've never even waggled a 14' Hardy but...
As an all rounder would you put the Accy above the Hardy or is the Accy just more suited to trotting?
My experience of the Hardys is that they're very good at everything but master of none, which suits my fishing down to the ground.
Horses for courses or an all out winner?
Ste, I like the Hardy rods....i've got 13 of 'em ! I have never used or seen a avon rod to compare to the marksman 11 footer or the 11ft 6 rod and the supero barbel rods are too good to use lol. I love the finnish of the hardy rods also.
I do like the hardy 14ft float rod a lot but if i'm totally honest I would prefer to use the 14ft acolyte plus rod. The rod just feels great for both still water and river fishing alike. I like it's fast action, and that action combined with the weight of the rod gives you a super fast strike and ultimately must give a better hook up rate. The rod is deceptively powerfull also and playing barbel hard is no problem for it, obviously it takes on a fair old bend but what rod doesn't if you play a barbel quite hard.
Regarding breakages of acolyte rods I can only go off my own experiences with them and up to now and having really put them through some stick (especially the 13ft plus) all mine have come out unscathed.
Ste, have you ever handled an acolyte float rod?