News:

Stand Up Paddling, Foil, SUP Foiling, Foil Surfing, Wing Surf, Wing Surfing, Wing Foiling.  This is your forum!

Main Menu

Need advice for second board purchase

Started by FollySUP, January 01, 2013, 03:18:33 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

FollySUP

Hi Everyone,

Happy new year from SC.  First time posting on here, I need some help picking out a new board. 

I have been SUPing for about a year.  I started out paddling only flat water around Charleston harbor, but over the past few months I've been spending a lot of time surfing.  Keep in mind that surfing here is usually choppy and small.   I have a 12' Yolo coastal cruiser that I can catch small waves on and get some really fun rides.  I've been really happy with it so far but I feel like I'm outgrowing it.  I have problems catching bigger and faster breaking waves. I feel like I cant turn quickly enough, and on bigger waves usually i get pounded. 

So here's what I'm looking for in a new board:
1. it's gotta float me - I'm 6'4" and 250
2. ride bigger and faster waves
3. durable - im rough on my equipment
4. need something that my wife can paddle on flat water so we can go out together
5. under $1300 -1400ish

I have been looking at the NSP 11' coco mat - which seems like it would fit the bill, but I'm not sure if it would be different enough from what I've got.

What do you all think?


Fark

I got to paddle a 10'2" coco mat and it was a really nice board.  The shape of the 11 is different than what you are riding now, so I'm sure you'll see a difference.  The local shop guy says they are pretty durable also.  If you can, rent some different ones and see what you like.  Good luck with the purchase and welcome to the Zone.

paddlejones


Mil-Surf

Don't be afraid to go a little smaller. I went from a 11' down to the 8'11" Exocet. I was nervous at first since I am new to to paddling but after just a few sessions I am very comftorable and the board rips. You also do not want to out grow another board. Lived in Charleston for a while and the conditions are quite close to Jacksonville where I am now. It is a surf board though, not for cruising. I say get a smaller, wider surf SUP and keep the bigger board for cruising the harbor.
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer
7'7"x29"@100ltrs

surfcowboy

I agree 9 to 10 foot with some width would do you well. Note, don't go under 30" wide in my opinion if you are a "fun" surfer.

The 11' is likely too similar to your 12. The wife will love a 9'6" as a flat water board and you can surf the heck out of it for the next couple of years.

iopsailor

  Scott at sealandadvenruesports.com  on Sullivans island has some boards you can demo.   Also check out http://beoceanfit.com/  on Isle of Palms.  there'll be organized demo days in the spring, you might have to rent a demo now.  I guess you've been to CharlestonWatersports if you've got a YOLO and OliNah if you're looking at NSPs.
    Most SUPers here will swap rides with you so just introduce yourself  and ask. Paddlers tend to be around the pier on IOP.

supthecreek

scandy
Welcome to the Zone.... you are starting your New Year off with an addiction ;)

I am familiar with your area... I have spent some time in Myrtle and Charlestown Harbor.
You are currently hosting one of our Great Whites...Mary Lee... please keep her. ;D

The waves in SC are pretty small, so you want to have some float to carry speed. On the other hand... a short hop to Carolina Beach puts you into some bigger surf, so you need a board to handle that as well.

Plus you have a incredible flat-water mecca... so you don't want to short side that.

Everyone on the Zone Knows I am a big fan of the Fanatic Allwave. It does everything well.
I am 64... 250lbs (Plus wetsuit)at 5'11.
I have 2 Allwaves
9'6 x 32" 174 liters
9'10 x 33" 191 liters

SURF:
All summer I surfed the 9'6 x 32" Allwave...(235lbs & no wetsuit) I absolutely love it. It does everything well. Good in small weak waves... great in overhead beachbreak... and awesome in overhead+  point waves.

I gained 15lbs this fall and with my full suit, I find I am more comfortable on my 9'10 this winter. I surfed well overhead waves last week and small stuff yesterday. It's been great. Very stable in wind and chop and easy to paddle.

In previous posts I was not as favorable towards the 9'10 in good surf. But with the added weight and wetsuit, I have really come to know it better. I am now pushing turns on it more like I can with the 9'6. It was just a matter of learning the wider tail. Now... I really like it.

FLAT-WATER
I paddle the 9'10 on every flat-water session... usually at least 2 hours - 6 to 7 miles.
Everyone seems to think I need a faster 12'6 or something.... not so!
So much to love about paddling a Surf SUP:
Easier on the car, storage & handling
I like to explore small creeks (go figure) and shallows
       All 3 fins are 5.75" or less, so they go in very shallow water
       At 9'10, I can back and fill a turn in a tight spot.
At 33" wide, I can turn my body around and take pictures without tipping at all.
I have a video of me paddling on 1 side for 2 min 45 seconds without going off my mark at all....and that was with the center fin all the way forward ( I just leave it in that position for everything) They are not hard to paddle straight.
Check the flatwater section for my many picture posts taken on the 9'10

So my advice.... give the 9'10 Allwave a demo if possible.
It will give you shorter board wave performance and a great flat-water board.

At you height and experience, I would caution you about going too short too fast.
Folks tend to be wary of the thick rails of the Allwave... don't... They give amazing stability and have never let me down on a critical turn.

Now the fun part.... durability.       Hands down, the toughest board made. Period.
Look at my rails in the pictures... I have not cleaned them in months... not a mark.
They don't chip, scratch, dent or break.... and I beat the crap out of them.
I have logged 216 hard days on the Allwaves this year... not a mark.
And I surf very crunchy beach break and big rocky points.
I don't bag them, I don't use rail or paddle tape.

They have a great Deck pad & Stomper

Price is right in your range... If you can find a 2012 9'10.... buy it.... NO difference from 2013 except color. New... Contact JimK at http://www.extremewindsurfing.com/
He is a site sponser and has the best price for Zoners. He is a dedicated Allwave fan as well.

I have posted a lot of pictures of 3 different 2012 Allwaves ... just scroll down till you see them... here's the link:
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=15807.0

Having said all that, there are more and more boards that are starting to get the "wide" thing, and there are some good shops in Charlestown.

Enjoy the ride
Creek

SUPSHORTBUS

I second the great service from JimK in regards to the Fanatic Allwave. I don't actually have my board from him yet but he has been a pleasure to work with thus far.

He does still have some 2012 Allwaves available at a great price(At least 9'10"ers). I didn't care as much for the 2013 color so I went with last years model and saved some $ to boot.

SlatchJim

Quote from: paddlejones on January 01, 2013, 05:46:38 PM
Sup sports mahalo x wide
My recommendation also.  It's what I ride, and there isn't much I'd change.  I'm 6-1, 250.  You'll be impressed with it's surfability, especially for a grown man of your proportions. 

FollySUP

Thanks for all the info.  I def dont want to outgrow the next board so quick.  I had found the allwave researching " boards for big dude" or something , but thought it would be too small for flat water.  I'll call around and see if i can demo one somewhere but so far it seems like a great suggestion.  Thanks!

JimK

Hey guys thanks for the Props on the AllWaves
You know I would have thought that the 9'10 might be limited in bigger steeper surf. But last week in Cali I used the 9'10 and stock fins on some "Freak" hollow 5' to 8' and the AllWave 9'10 held lines high and tight and drove off the bottom better than I expected. Not to mention I saw A LOT of other boards broken in 2 (won't mention which big brands were floating in pieces in the gully) I took a bunch of "air drops" and actually made some to had plenty of waves crash on my head and the AllWave 9'10 came through unscathed in anyway

Really what doesn't this board do well? I wish I had an answer. OK It is not a Flatwater raceboard

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

FollySUP

Thanks again for the input - I ordered a 9'10" Allwave from JimK a few days ago. 

Thanks Jim!


crtraveler

you'll be happy.....(board and service from JimK) ;D
Naish Mana 10' (currently water-logged in Costa Rica)
Fanatic Allwave 9'2"
Naish Glide 14'
Jamie Mitchell LK 12'6"
KeNalu Maliko + Wiki (soon)