2012 Naish Glide or 14 Hobie Elite

[bluecoast]

Hey everyone, long time lurker,  first time poster! I've learned a ton on these boards and it's time to make a decision and I need some help!

I have an opportunity to pick up either a 2012 12'6" Glide which has been used as a demo board or an excellent condition 14' Hobie Elite Carbon Fiber/Bamboo (I think it's 2011, not sure) for essenitially the same price. I'm currently on an 11'6" Riviera surf style board but I cover about 6-8 miles everytime I go out. I'm looking for more of a touring/race style board which I can paddle flatwater or race. I'm a pretty small guy (5'6" 138) so I've been hesitant on going 14' thinking it might be a bit much for me to handle/transport/store. Since the Hobie is carbon fiber it seems like it might be a little easier to get around, I just can't decide between the 2! Any help/guidance would be appreciated...thanks in advance! Basically, what would you do?

Gary

[paddlejones]

I own a Hobie 14' and love it, i think its too much board for you... i am 210 lbs
and can paddle with my son fine... +35 LBS or so

This board was designed for big guy chuck patterson.

think javelin for your weight

[bluecoast]

Thanks, that's what I figured too. I didn't know if the carbon fiber/bamboo would offset anything though since it's much lighter. Both deals are awesome for the price so I just kept thinking it might be worth it to take a jump up to 14' now incase I someday "outgrow" the 12'6". The other factor is my wife would also be paddling the new board on occasion as well and I'm worried it might be WAY too much for her.

Thanks again for your input paddlejones.

[mtmilam]

Hi Paddlejones
I just got a hobie 14 also. I'm 215. Mostly had it in our local bayou. But was wondering how it does in a cross chop as far as stability.  I'm still new at this and was wondering if you think a. Igger fin would
Make it even more stable?? Or is it unnecessary.  In other words, does it try to dump you off in a bay chop??

[mprevost]

The 12'6" Glide is a great board.  I have had mine for a month or so now and have taken it out in a variety of conditions from flat calm to really rough and windy.  I had it out in raging wind and rain last week.  The chop was horrible (sudden thunderstorm with strong wind) but I still felt very confident and did not fall in.  It is VERY stable and tracks really well.  You will enjoy the extra volume.  Personally, I like the AST construction over carbon fiber.  The AST board is super durable.  I have banged my AST Glides into all kind of stuff, including driving into a parking garage, banging the board so hard that the board rack (thule SUP taxi) shifted backwards.  Hardly a mark on the board, no ding whatsoever.  My wife also loves it at 125 pounds. 

[bluecoast]

Glad to hear mprevost. If all goes well and the board is in good enough condition, I'm going to pick one up Friday...can't wait! There are a couple of good deals on craigslist in my area for the 14' Glide which tempted me for a while but I think it's just too much board for me. Looking forward to the 12'6" since I've heard/read tons of good reviews.

[2thman]

Did you get the glide?  I'm about in the same situation (weigh 150 though) and looking to upgrade for flat, good tracking and glide and occasional slight waves.  I'm on a 10 6 Surftech so big upgrade (although it's been great taking my dog out).

[Strand Leper]

I have the glide. 2012 cf.  LOVE it.  Took out the dagger fin and put in a large angular surfy fin. Had it out in micro waves at dog patch last weekend and was riding swell and waves over at nukes... Basically no other waves were coming in. Steve Boehne stopped me on the beach on my way in and noted how it looked like I was having a blast on the board. To cut back you gots to be off the back of the pad and put some willy into it.

Mahalo, aloha,

SL

[bluecoast]

Yep, picked up the Glide last week. I paddled it once on flat water and was instantly in love. It's a world of difference over my 11'6" Riviera.  I signed up for a 6 mile Ocean race last minute and was really not that impressed with the board in ocean conditions. The race started off downwind...did great. I was keeping up with a couple guys on a 14' Glides right next to me. The first buoy turn had us heading back up wind for 4 miles with a strong SE wind and 4-5 swells, the Glide DID NOT like these conditions at all. The direction of the swell just kept pushing the nose of the board so I had to paddle on my right side almost the entire 4 miles back. I finished ok but it wasn't what I was hoping for...

Took the board again 2 days later and did 10 miles of flat water and realized I learned a lot about the board during the race. I think I was standing too far back, once I moved up (a lot) heels passed the hand hold, toes touching the black part of the pad, the nose went down and I was really moving.

All that said, I'm really enjoying the board. It took me a few tries to really get the hang of pivot turns on it since it's such a wide/thick board and I'm pretty small, but now it's not a problem at all. In hindsight I wish I had some more time on the board to get the tweaks out before the race but it also taught me a lot about the board at the same time. Definitely psyched I bought it!

Did you get the glide?  I'm about in the same situation (weigh 150 though) and looking to upgrade for flat, good tracking and glide and occasional slight waves.  I'm on a 10 6 Surftech so big upgrade (although it's been great taking my dog out).