Author Topic: New SoFla board advice (Read 2260 times)

Landshark77 · « **on:** April 27, 2014, 02:30:58 PM »

Hello all,

Great info on this site, helped in my original purchase. I picked up a 2013 Naish Mana 9'5" back in February for the intent of surfing. I had never surfed a SUP before so went with a board I got a good price on and had a good reputation. I had a blast, put down my surfboard and have been SUP surfing for the past few months. I like the board but want to go smaller, snappier and less volume. I'm a 37 y/o male, half way decent surfer, about average I guess, 5'10" and 170lbs. The waves in my area for the most part are wind chop, but we do have few days of ground swell with the cold fronts or hurricanes.
I tried out a 8'5" Mana yesterday, liked it and volume was stable for me, but felt the lightness of the wood might not be so good in the wind and cost is a little high for me.
So I'm thinking about picking up a 2014 8'10" Mana, but also looking at other options under 9' around 130ltrs and surfable.
What other options would you guys suggest?
Thanks for the input!

supthecreek · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2014, 07:32:45 PM »

The Mana GS will be heavier and cheaper if the wood is too light for you.
Also... the 2013 8'10 Mana is the same as the 2014... maybe get a better deal on the 2013?

JimK gives great deals to Zoners... the 8'11 x31 Allwave (150 liters) or the 8'6 x 30 Allwave (130 liters)
They are extremely stable, surf really well and are tough! ....and...a lot less expensive when you buy from JimK at Extremewindsurfing (Zone sponsor)

Also in your area
Watersedge (Florida company) is making some really interesting boards at entry level prices
Cannibal makes some great looking boards that are super light and less than the Mana
Skip Smith is making great boards in Fla as well

Google and check them all out... demo if possible.... LOTS of awesome boards around this year

I want one of each

jdmotes · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2014, 09:54:45 PM »

Exocet 8'11" (really 8'10") Fish is available in a 30" (125 Liters) and 32" (145 liters) and they are warehoused in our very own Daytona Beach warehouse (with dealers throughout Fla). These Cobra built boards come in AST, Wood or Carbon construction, rip in the surf but are also very easy to paddle. I'm 190 lbs and the 30" is fine for me... Paddle on, JD

Landshark77 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2014, 05:31:56 AM »

Thanks for all of the input, how much stability would I lose going from 8'10 mana to 8'5 with the same volume. I think the 8'10 would do better for wind chop where the 8'5 (for my skills) might be best on calmer days. That exocet looks nice. Down in my area I have easy access to Naish, Fanatic and JP as the major brands.

Landshark77 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2014, 10:23:09 AM »

Just put a deposit on a 2014 8'10 mana, picking up Thursday. Found a great local shop in delray. I think there might even be a small bump to surf later this week too. Cool