Two Naish Nalu'z side-by-side..

[Wetstuff]

I had the good fortune of acquiring an 11'4 and 10'6.5 before the cold sets in hard.



I wanted a board that I could scratch in from the outside better than I am able with my 9-2 Allwave. Jim K saved me from getting the Nalu 10'10.  As my focus is the surf, the 10'10 was both heavier and wider that either of these two. There was a comment that the 10'10 was a 'wave thief' but these more remind me of an old 'performance longboard' I have.   My timidity on late takeoffs and basic ability are serious shortcomings in our local dumpy conditions. These longer boards well out number shorter boards here - probably for a reason.

I remember Dwight's (DW) comment about the pleasing rocker in Naish boards.  To my old art school eye, the 11'4 is particularly beautiful.  The 10'6.5 seems a bit more flat but I have not put a stick to either.  I learned a new word 'foil' .. the thickness of a board along its length.  The Nalu is remarkable compared to an 11' coal barge I bought (and sold quickly) earlier this year.  It appears it must be easier to make a board in China where the nose is as thick as an inflatable than thin it out like these Naish'. 

I only got one chance to surf the 10'6.5 on a shoulder high, 8sec swell so far.  I would call the Nalu 'graceful'.  It calmly slides onto the shoulder without any alarm bells going off in my head.  At 30" wide, the first go-out was a tippy exercise compared to the Allwave.  I found I needed to stand farther forward than I expected and improved as I relaxed about a 1/2 hour into the session.  (personal stats: 5'11 x 180lbs .. 10lbs less than when I started SUP)

I have paddled both boards in flat water.  It may be 'last tried' bias, but I love to paddle the 10'6'5.  It is seated in the water better for me at 160L versus the 11'4 at 180L.  Both track well and keeping a bow wave is pretty easy.  ..the 9-2 Allwave is no drogue in flat water but not as much fun/fast as these.    ..it's a small thing, but the Naish deck pads are very comfortable.




Jim

[JimK]

Glad you are liking those boards

Enjoy

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[supthecreek]

Nice write up wetty!

If I was a skillionaire.... I'd probably own a 10'6.5... nice board

So.... if you like paddling the 10'6.5 better.... what is the 11'4 for ?

[Wetstuff]

Thanks Jim.

..Rick, With fewer fun calendars in my future I'm not shy about buying and selling to find what works best or me.  It took me a long time to learn but quality retains value a helluva lot better than mediocre product. The 11'4 will get passed along without a lot of pain.. but it's also useful out back at home.

Funny story that Saturday. 



I missed the money shot because the camera was in a bag - in a bag.. but these two ladies were walking along ..then, right in front of me, they turned their horses into the surf (59f).  They got their forelegs in, then the dark brown one fell ..chucking the woman on the right into the shorebreak. It was sunny so they kept riding. My wife and I both rode, so I like almost everything about horses.  Cheers.

Jim

[supthecreek]

I hear you buddy.... go big, go all in, and go NOW. The days tick away and regret is an avoidable emotion. That's why I surf a ton more than my younger friends.... they think they have all the time in the world, and I know I don't

Good story.... it's nice that you live in a place where you can ride on the beach. I had a Quarter Horse growing up... back when you could ride anywhere.

[55NSup]

I have a 9-2 All Wave and got to trade with a guy that had a 10-6,5 for an hour. I asked him if he wanted to trade. He declined.
Tracks better, glides better, faster into and on wave ( super small knee high) . A bit tippier, more sensitive to fore aft weight placement.

[Wetstuff]

55.. That's funny; as I bought Rick's (creek) 9'10 AW ..then traded it for a 9'2 as the fellow who got the 9'10 was about 30lbs heavier than I.   I'll betcha tho' you would miss the Allwave when the water got cold and choppy.  The AW is a great confidence builder.

Jim

[Wetstuff]

The 11'4 sits pretty.




Jim

[Wetstuff]

Ah! ..first time I got to paddle them back-to-back. A nice little window opened.  Yesterday the 11'4 ..today the 10'6.5.  I was asked which was more stable: it turns out the 11'4 is.  I don't know exactly why because they're nearly the same profile.. both 30" wide.  One is 160L the other 180L. 

I can say with some confidence, I prefer paddling the 10'6.5.  It rocks from side-to-side more but feels faster in the water - easier to keep up speed.  And yet I always heard on this sort of slow stuff "waterline length" is your friend? 

I got about a 10-15 minute slog uphill in about 10-12kts that was tedious but Ok.. it was making the 180deg turn into quartering chop about 6" high spaced 3'..that had me peddling a lot .. then that same chop directly abeam was no fun 'tall.  I understand why you folks like downwind. ..same with kitesurfing: it's easy.

And compared to these two, the Fanatic Allwave is a concrete walkway. I'd think a one-legged, blind man would feel confident on one in a short time. Especially the 9'10.  The 9'2 is better for my 180lbs and nearly just as stable at 31.5". (the 9'10 is 33")

Jim

Jim

[SCruzSUPr]

Looks like I qualify for one legged blind man... thankful for every day out on the water. 

[Wetstuff]

I do qualify SC.. I almost quit.  If it wasn't for my Poski Mule attitude and selling off the first few boards I got, I would not be having the fun I am having now.

Jim