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Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Noo Noo on March 04, 2017, 01:13:15 AM

Title: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Noo Noo on March 04, 2017, 01:13:15 AM
Hi All

just wondering if anyone's done a comparison , or ridden both or just have thoughts in general on the two boards above?

Got the opportunity to pick up either for reasonable money withe the Blend being £200 cheaper.

I'm looking for a do it all type platform. I cant really pick and choose my SUP days so I need something that can cover as many conditions as possible. It'll be a bit of a do it all type board  - touring, take the little one out, start in the waves, even a spot of fishing perhaps.

Particularly wondering about construction (and performance I guess) and whether the Naish would be worth the extra. Also worth noting that these will be 2015 / 2016 boards.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Noo Noo on March 05, 2017, 04:18:50 AM
Just realised that I better add a little more info.

Weight is about 78kgs and I'm a beginner. I fully appreciate that I will outgrow these options quite quickly but not being able to pick my days and wanting to take the little one out I'm more than happy to compromise with a bigger board with the benefit of some glide included.

I've also just stumbled onto a 11'2" Starboard Wide point for the same cash as the Nalu. Tempted by this one if I'm honest. Waves are the ultimate aim but having that ability to do ok as a basic tourer would be spot on.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: TallDude on March 05, 2017, 10:10:26 AM
I haven't surfed or paddled the SB Blend but my brother and a surf buddy of mine have the Nalu 11'4. I have surfed and flat water paddled the 11'4 extensively. From the videos of the SB Blend, it looks very similar. If they were the same color, you'd be hard pressed to tell any difference. Iggy has always been my favorite shaper. The 11'4 Naish Nalu stays true to the Iggy line. Naish's 10'10 and 11' are 32"wide. The wider versions I feel lost that great Iggy ride. The 11'4 x 30 maintains the original shape and great ride. I have bought and sold a lot of boards, but my old 11'6 Nalu will never be sold. After 10' years, it's still in great shape.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Noo Noo on March 07, 2017, 06:36:46 AM
Cheers and thanks for the info.

After much deliberation, research and fingers in he wind I've stumped for the 11'2" Wide Point. It seems to tick all the boxes as a do it all platform with a surfy feel. Loads of volume to develop and take the little one touring.


Even tried the Starboard board selector tool thingy which worked out to be the Blend or the Wide Point so I was kind of heading in the right direction, possibly anyway.

Saw some good reviews of it too.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Area 10 on March 07, 2017, 08:45:27 AM
The Naish Nalu 11-0 is actually 31" wide. Not that it matters, but I just thought I'd correct that detail before it becomes interweb folklore.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: TallDude on March 07, 2017, 11:27:32 AM
The Naish Nalu 11-0 is actually 31" wide. Not that it matters, but I just thought I'd correct that detail before it becomes interweb folklore.
You are correct. It's interesting about the Naish Nalu line. They keep their old thinner more performer longboard SUP's mixed in with a kinda 'All Arounder" line. Most people just see a 10'10 x 32" and 11' 4 x 30" and think it just a little longer but slightly narrower version, but they really are completely different boards. They should have a Performer Long board SUP category and an 'All Around" Sup designation on these Nalu's. They surf and paddle so different. The Nalu Carbon pro 10' x 28.5", 10'6 x 30" (but 4" thick), 11'4 x 30" all surf great. The 10'10 x 32" and 11' x 31" in my opinion don't surf well and I've demo'd them in the surf. Not sure why they are in the Nalu line?
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Area 10 on March 09, 2017, 04:13:04 AM
Interesting. What is it about the 11x31 you didn't like? DJ seems to swear by his, and they have a lot of rocker so you'd think that they would surf well for such a big board. I've seen the 11-4 actually described as a better all-rounder on the grounds that it has a flatter rocker and is narrower so paddles distance better.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: coldsup on March 09, 2017, 09:53:44 AM
I've had the 11 4 Nalu GTW ....great board. Quite thinned out in the nose and tail and actually has heaps of rocker. I used to surf it in small stuff and slightly overhead waves....nothing steep though. It is very much a surf shape rather than anything else but it is long enough to flat water it...but it isn't fast :)

Has a great rounded pintail and with a big new single fin it was glide heaven on big rolling waves. It caught stuff super early....further out than anything else I have surfed...but it was my biggest surfing board by a mile for sure. Way too big for your weight though...you will find it hard to turn off the tail.......find a 10 6 Nalu and you are laughing.

I am 90 kg and used it for surfing and a few coastal paddles....only short ones. I sold it on as it was just too easy....I partly regret that now but 11,4 was just too big for my surfing.

The Nalu 11,4 and 10 6 are great boards...user friendly and work.

The 11 x 31 looks tubby to me ...not really refined in nose and tail....but I ain't seen one in the flesh.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Dusk Patrol on March 09, 2017, 12:40:06 PM
I know this is straying from the Blend, but I flat water paddled both the 11x31 and 11'4" Nalus in Kailua's ka elepula lakelet, and the difference was striking. The 11x31 felt sluggish and hard to turn. The 11'4" felt much more alive underfoot. Granted it was flat water, but that same difference is likely to translate to the wave.   I think the value proposition of the  11x31 is stability.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Area 10 on March 09, 2017, 01:15:14 PM
I guess Robbie didn't get the memo about the 11-0 Nalu not surfing well :)

https://youtu.be/U937MttI6y0
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Dusk Patrol on March 09, 2017, 02:33:44 PM
^ true, but he could surf a door.  And I do respect the fact that DJ thinks it surfs well...
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: yugi on March 09, 2017, 02:38:24 PM
I've had my Nalu 11'4 almost 9 years now and still use it regularly. I even whip it out for some downwinds just for fun if I'm with a slower crew.

Sweet board. It cost a bomb at the time but I believe I have well amortized it.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: coldsup on March 09, 2017, 02:53:30 PM
I guess Robbie didn't get the memo about the 11-0 Nalu not surfing well :)

https://youtu.be/U937MttI6y0

That's the 11,4 ....
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: TallDude on March 09, 2017, 03:22:03 PM
You can tell Robby's is forcing those turns in that video, but making it look easy.
Here's a video of a guy wake surfing the 11'-4. You can see how much loser and responsive it is. Actually the guy's pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYZ53DykZjA

Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: DavidJohn on March 09, 2017, 10:20:35 PM
I guess Robbie didn't get the memo about the 11-0 Nalu not surfing well :)

https://youtu.be/U937MttI6y0

That's the 11,4 ....

Pretty sure it's the new 11' Nalu.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: DavidJohn on March 09, 2017, 10:27:10 PM
For surfing a wave behind a boat.. or paddling flat water.. I'd choose the 11'4"..

For normal surfing I'd choose the 11' for sure.. It's a very different board..

I know both boards very well.. I've had three 11'4's and two 11' Nalu's..

Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Area 10 on March 09, 2017, 11:02:56 PM
DJ - what does the 11-0 do better than the 11-4, besides give more stability?
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: DavidJohn on March 09, 2017, 11:26:08 PM
The continuous rocker through the whole board seems to fit the wave better making turning much easier than the old 11'4".. I always had trouble turning my 11'4's especially on the heel side.. and it required more from the tail type turns.. When I go back to the 11'4" it feels flatter with a kick in the nose.. The 11' not only has more nose rocker but also seems to have more tail rocker.. This extra rocker could be why some use the word 'sluggish' but I don't mind a bit of 'sluggish' if it turns better and nose dives less..

If you're after a fast down-the-line type board the 11' is not that type of board.. but it feels thinner than the 11'4" and has very nice glide once on a wave.. I've had it on some overhead waves and I've done some cranking top turns that I could never do on the old 11'4".. btw why would Naish bring out a 11'x 31 when they already had a good 11'4"x 30 board without making an improvement.. If I was to not have my 11' Nalu I'd buy the new 10'8" Quest before I'd buy the 11'4" or 10'6" Nalu.. Board shapes have come a long way in the last few years.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Noo Noo on March 10, 2017, 02:08:15 AM
I must admit those vids were all pretty much the ones that got me interested in the Nalu. I had been scouring everywhere for as much info as possible on them and the other boards I had been considering.

Slightly irrelevant now I guess having opted for the Starboard 11'2" Wide Point. Hopefully that will be with me in the next week or so.

Info on that one is a little thinner on the ground it seems with the smaller options being by far the most used but what I have seen is positive.

So if anyone has any experience of these their thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: coldsup on March 10, 2017, 02:48:45 PM
I guess Robbie didn't get the memo about the 11-0 Nalu not surfing well :)

https://youtu.be/U937MttI6y0

That's the 11,4 ....

Pretty sure it's the new 11' Nalu.

You may well be right DJ....at times it looks like both the 11,4 and 11....I had a look again at the 3D image thingy of the 11 and it does seem a lot more thinned out nose and tail than I imagined. From your vids it looked really quite thick in nose and tail....maybe the GoPro?
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: DavidJohn on March 10, 2017, 04:34:10 PM
The nose shape gives it away.. the 11 has a slightly wider and almost squared off nose.. more like the Laird boards.
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: viatormundi on March 11, 2017, 03:28:29 PM
I have a Nalu 11 and it surfs really nice. It catches anything. With 31" wide it is very stable. I might go down to 10' longboard size since Nalu 11 has quite some volume (it says 175 liters but feels less) Considering Sunova Style 10' (high price) or a Gong NFA 10' Bamby (almost half the price of Style) but can't convince myself to sell my Nalu 11 GTW, it is such a beautiful board. Maybe I should keep it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: tautologies on March 13, 2017, 02:04:54 PM
I haven't surfed or paddled the SB Blend but my brother and a surf buddy of mine have the Nalu 11'4. I have surfed and flat water paddled the 11'4 extensively. From the videos of the SB Blend, it looks very similar. If they were the same color, you'd be hard pressed to tell any difference. Iggy has always been my favorite shaper. The 11'4 Naish Nalu stays true to the Iggy line. Naish's 10'10 and 11' are 32"wide. The wider versions I feel lost that great Iggy ride. The 11'4 x 30 maintains the original shape and great ride. I have bought and sold a lot of boards, but my old 11'6 Nalu will never be sold. After 10' years, it's still in great shape.

The original 11'4'' Iggy, is magic. Its such a well balanced board for riding. I would have it if I could fit it in my car.... :-)
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Sup Atlantic on April 05, 2020, 09:35:17 AM
Can anyone help me choose between the 11 and the 11 4? Mostly choppy bay use (sometimes glassy)
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Dusk Patrol on April 05, 2020, 03:45:25 PM
I know this is straying from the Blend, but I flat water paddled both the 11x31 and 11'4" Nalus in Kailua's ka elepula lakelet, and the difference was striking. The 11x31 felt sluggish and hard to turn. The 11'4" felt much more alive underfoot. Granted it was flat water, but that same difference is likely to translate to the wave.   I think the value proposition of the  11x31 is stability.

Hey S.A. - lf by "bay use" you mean no surfing, then the 11'4 would  be my choice.  Following the time I made the attached post, the Nalu 11 gained a reputation for surfing quite respectably, but so does an 11'4. But again, between the two, for flat water/no waves, I'd recommend the 11'4 Nalu.  But if that is your main use, have you considered another type of board other than surf shape?
 
Title: Re: SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"
Post by: Sup Atlantic on April 06, 2020, 05:19:31 AM
I'm also looking at a pau hana big ez. My bay is often choppy. I'd like to use this in the bay as well as the ocean but can live without surfing
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