Big guy getting started in San Diego...

[bts]

Since you are trying starboards, I'd probably ride the wide point line as well.

I could be your slightly younger slightly lighter brother-6'5"/240/55, same surfing/windsurfing background.  IMO the extra height really does make a big difference, especially if you are not carrying a lot of fat.  Moving your center of gravity up even a little bit makes things more unbalanced. Then again, I might just be lame.

[dabigkahuna]

Moving your center of gravity up even a little bit makes things more unbalanced.

Makes sense and sure sounds a lot better than saying I"m a total klutz.  LOL

I went back to the shop I first demo'd a SUP at and turns our I had everything mixed up.  So to wrap up:

First board was 32" wide and 205 L, most stable of the boards I tried.
Second board was 30" wide and 180 L, least stable of the boards I tried, couldn't even stand at all.
Third board was a whopper, 34" wide and 168 L, felt almost as stable as the first board.

I hope to get some longer sessions on that first board and see if how far I can progress.  I'd really like to give this SUP thing a solid go, but don't want to buy a board until I'm absolutely certain I'll be able handle it.

[SUP Rick]

Hi take a look this if want, it surf ok.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/4430470791.html

[RATbeachrider]

I've an 11'2 404 Floater that is 33" wide and 184L and it is quite "loose" for such a big board.  I'm 100 less than you and I've surfed it in rolling knee to shoulder high waves at San Onofre.  404 ended its licensing agreement with Riviera so you may be able to find one on the cheap.  I've a friend who is 6'5 240+ and his surfed this board easily in head high waves.  Great cruiser board for the harbor/coast/lake too.

[bigbear]

I gave a Whopper a quick demo this afternoon.  Not ideal conditions nor did I ride it for very long, but my immediate impression was that it wasn't any more stable than the JP Australia Wide Body I demoed earlier this week.  It seemed that the extra 2" in width made up for the loss of 10+ Liters of flotation.

Hope to demo a Whopper Extra some time soon and will also give Joe Blair a call.  Saw one of his new model SUP's at the beach today and, although it was a bit heavier, it sure looked bullet proof.

I've got a 9'10" fanatic allwave in ocean beach on strategic deployment at my kids house.  I'll be out there the 8th-14th if you wanna give it a ride.  I'm 6'3" 265

[cnski]

Ralph at sup-position-
Where is your shop in HB and when are you open? I want to come check it out next time I'm down there. Thanks!!

[dabigkahuna]

Still looking...

A Joe Blair 10'4" was tops on my list until I learned that the newer models not only weigh more (a lot more) than the earlier model, but they are also prone to leaking.  A guy I surf with is trying to get his 3 month old board fixed.  I've been trying to get a hold of Joe to confirm / deny but so far no luck (hasn't returned my calls).

Still haven't gotten a demo on a Whopper Extra or bigger JP Australia either.  No body seems to have them in stock here.  Local shop here told me that ordering a Starboard or JP model not in stock would take at least 6 to 8 weeks before it would come in.  Jeesh.

[dabigkahuna]

Just a quick update for this thread:  I demo'd a couple more boards and I'm about to pull the trigger on a '13 Starboard Avanti (Silver AST with WindSUP attachments).  I spent a good amount of time on it in flat water and felt reasonably comfortable almost immediately.  First board I tried that I felt I could start to focus on paddling rather than balancing.  A bit bigger and pricier than I had hoped for, but hey, that's life.  The added advantage of better flat water / downwinding performance and WindSUP are an added bonus.

Thanks everyone (especially JimK) for your advice and encouragement.