14' SUP. Most stable for short period NE swell and cross chop?

[Skyrocketnflight]

What is the most stable 14' for short period New England swell?

I have a 14' Naish Glide (2011) and it is awesome for flat water and also dead down wind. When I get side swept chop it's sort of a balance beam-shot show routine.

The few times I've caught some swell dead downwind it is awesome. I can imagine in Hawaii long period swell this thing is the shiznit, like most Naish products perhaps its design assumes too much perfect Hawaii conditions? I know in the custom surfboard industry, where the shaper lives affects his shaping greatly.

I'm also a big dude at 6'1" 220.  Thoughts?

[freetobeme]

Not an M&M  

My Bark Dominator has very good secondary stability for my size 5'9 175. Look at the new Bark Eliminator as a possibility for you.  

Coreban Alpha?
Hobie?

[Au111]

Consider the Starboard Coast Runner - lacks some initial stability, but handles side-chop and beam-swell very well.  I don't know what current board in Starboard's line-up is directly comparable, though.   

[Bulky]

Have you played around with the fins on the Glide?  I've got the 2012 which has less rocker than the 2011.  You're review is spot-on for the stock fin, but with something bigger and more swept back I found it tracks much better into the swell and with cross chop.

[stoneaxe]

Good point Bulky...changing the fin on my Vec made it feel like a completely different board.

[piece of 8]

Bulky- I have a weed fin on a 2010. What size fin are you using? Brand?

[stoneaxe]

If you guys want to try one of Larry's Gladiator or Chill fins let me know.

[paddlebuilder]

Personally, what I know about fins is that shape is critical for a given circumstance...what I don't know about them is why they work the way they do.  I built a 9-0 surf sup and it was a dog....until I put the right fin on it and then it was sweet.  Same for flatwater and downwind boards I would think.  I think it pays to experiment.  Downside there is I have (what to me) a fortune sitting around in my fin quiver.

[piece of 8]

Stoney, I would love to try the Larry Allison fin if I see you this weekend.

[SUPnKev]

I dont think I am in the same league as you guys, but I have also been having problems with boat wake, chop and swells on the Chesapeake Bay. I am on a 14' Exocet Marlin. I called Larry Allison and he spent quite a bit of time with me listening to and asking about the conditions I am dealing with, my size, and the board in question.  His Bat Wing fin was the recommendation for me. I expect to get it sometime next week. Has to be better than the stock fin on the Marlin, but after speaking with Larry, I am hopeful for a nice transformation.

[shankfoo]

What is the most stable 14' for short period New England swell?

I have a 14' Naish Glide (2011) and it is awesome for flat water and also dead down wind. When I get side swept chop it's sort of a balance beam-shot show routine.

The few times I've caught some swell dead downwind it is awesome. I can imagine in Hawaii long period swell this thing is the shiznit, like most Naish products perhaps its design assumes too much perfect Hawaii conditions? I know in the custom surfboard industry, where the shaper lives affects his shaping greatly.

I'm also a big dude at 6'1" 220.  Thoughts?

I'm kind of a noob but I do have a couple year's exp now paddling a Shaka.  Here's what I know.  I'm 6'0, 205 btw with crappy balance (vertigo).

The thing has no edges except on the tail and the tip of the nose, so it pretty much completely ignores anything coming from the sides.  Wind chop and boat wakes, no problemo, they just roll under the board...  and any wave action over 6" coming from behind catches the tail and pushes me along.  In side chop you can't 'catch an edge' because there are none. "Forgiving" is the word that comes to mind.

Because it's so slippy, I can confirm that 100% of its tracking performance is dependent on the fin and your technique. I'm inclined to thing this is a good thing, you tune the board with a fin change and it actually responds.

Yesterday I paddled upwind in strong gusts on the Charles and even with the elf-shoe nose I wasn't getting blown around. I imagine that wind resistance is a factor with any hi-volume board that site proud of the water, but a decent fin and step forward seems to do the trick for this board.

Oh, and someone's selling one on the Cape: https://capecod.craigslist.org/spo/3948490160.html

[upwinder]

14' x 30" Fanatic falcon is very good in short-period swell, especially in side chop. The new 14' x 29" NSP/DC shape should be worth a look as well (haven't been on the production board, I expect to test one next week but the 28" proto was very slick and crazy stable in slop)

[funkart]

14' x 30" Fanatic falcon is very good in short-period swell, especially in side chop. The new 14' x 29" NSP/DC shape should be worth a look as well (haven't been on the production board, I expect to test one next week but the 28" proto was very slick and crazy stable in slop)

just curious? where are you going to test the new shape?

[Caribsurf]

14ft Hobie Elite is a great choice.  Handles itself by well in all kinds of chop from all sides.  Very stable and great glide

Paddled over 20 miles of the 35 mile CCBC with constant 2 ft side chop and this board never missd a beat.
The nose cuts through chop with ease also into the wind or on down winders

[PDLSFR]

I run a Gladiator fin on my 14' 2012 Naish Glide and thinks its a perfect fit, it was night and day versus the stock fin.