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 Also Check out the new Split bags from Pro-Lite. One Bag that fits both 12'6" and 14' boards. 

http://www.prolite.com/product.asp?ProdId=925#.Ugvh_OAsURw

The 12'6" surftech laird bark has the square tail just like the competitor and the 14' surftech laird bark has the pintail. Both boards will be available in both the pro elite and tuflite construction. The surftech bark lairds are not replacing the expedition. The expedition is still being offered and is still a great board. The new 12'6" and 14' surftech laird barks are basically big guy versions of the dominator and competitor. The new boards will basically offer a little better stability and better glide for the larger paddler. Both boards will be great touring boards for the average Paddler looking for maximum glide and speed as well as being top shelf race boards for the elite paddler. The new 14' surftech laird bark will offer better displacement for the larger paddler and thus just as fast (with better stability) if not faster than the dominator for the 180-240lb paddler.

Currently the Surftech Dominator is only available in pro elite construction. That particular model has not been sold in the standard Tuflite layup.  The 12'6" Surftech Competitor was sold in both constructions and weighs around 31lbs in the Tuflite construction and 25 lbs in the pro elite.

Keep in mind when looking at paddles , if you are wanting a true US made paddle, that there is a difference in paddles that are actually "hand made" in the US and paddles that have their over seas produced parts assembled in the US.

Shane,

The 14' Surftech Bark Dominator is pretty much a larger paddlers version of the 12'6".  It is very similar in the design and hull shape.  The 14' is 1/2" thicker than the 12'6" and the 14" is 1.5" narrower than the 12'6". Don't let the narrow width full you though, the 14 is still a really stable board that works in a lot of conditions.

Dims 12'6" Surftech Bark Competitor - 29w x 6.5" thick

Dims 14' Surftech Bark Dominator - 27.5W x 7" thick

You can get an idea of the tippyness of these boards at the 40 sec mark (and again at 2.12) in this vid.

DJ

That is the 12'6" Surftech Lahui Kai Jamie Mitchell in the Video.  That was the first day I had the board and that was the first 5 minutes on the board.  At my size 6'2" 210 the board takes a little getting use to.  Due to the design of the board, it wants to go from rail to rail very quickly, so it seems tippy at first. The nice thing is that the board has amazing secondary stability so once you learn to trust it, you can really put the board up on an edge.

I have also had the chance to paddle the 14' Surftech Lahui Kai Jamie Mitchell and that board definitely had better primary stability for a paddler my size.

I am just a bit bigger than you 6'2" 210 lbs, and I have been spending a lot of time riding the  Surftech 8'11" Gerry Lopez  "lil Darlin" and the 9"6" Gerry Lopez surf music.  Both boards float me pretty well at my size and are fairly stable.  I definitely  notice that the 9'6" is a little more stable for me, but I really prefer the quad fin setup of the 8'11".

There are a lot of great short SUP boards out there right now.  Whatever you do, try your best to test the boards out for yourself before  you make a decision.  What works for everyone else here on the boards may not suit your style or needs.

Good luck with your search! Choosing new toys is always a fun process!

Make sure to check out the Werner Nitro and Carve.  They are both great surf paddles.  The Nitro is carbon and has a foam core blade and the Carve is the all fiberglass version.

http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/stand_up/performance_core/

Both paddles I believe are also available as a 1- piece, 2- piece, 3 - piece or adjustable.

Here are a few pics from a recent flatwater SUP paddle at Lake Jocassee, SC.   This is really a cool lake with a lot of beautiful scenery.  If you are in the area make sure to take a day and go explore this lake.  Here is  a link for more info and directions about the lake.

http://www.lakejocassee.com/default.htm

The race was a great event.  There was a great turn out, awesome weather, and a lot of wind and chop that made both races fun and challenging.  Great Job to all of the organizers of the event. Thank you very much for making it happen.  Hopefully the results will get posted soon.

Can't wait for the next SUP race in Charleston. There seems to be a really strong race seen building here in the southeast and it great to see.

Joe Mosquera

A big thanks to Coastal Urge for putting on a great race today.  There was a great turn out for the race today despite gloomy weather. Everyone seemed to have a good time and be stoked on the Race.

Hopefully the full results will be available on line very soon.

Joe Mosquera

I am about your same size (200-210) and have been riding both the 11' and 10'6".  I prefer the 10'6"  because it is a little more nimble for me in the surf.  At your size both boards would float you fine and  you would stoked with either.

Good luck

Joe

Ill be rolling in there Thursday night and will be there until tuesday with a fleet of Surftech demo boards. Everything from the 14 Bark to the 8'11" Lil Darling. Shoot me an email if you want to go paddle or try out some boards.

Joe Mosquera

Mattdog,

At 180 lbs, the 8'11" will be a pretty stable board for you.  It is only slightly more narrow that your 10" Oxbow.  I have only been on the 10' Oxbow for about 5 minutes on flatwater so I can't really compare the wave speed between the 2 boards directly. On flatwater the Oxbow will offer a little faster glide due to its length but on a wave the 8'11" Lil Darling likes to go fast,  is super manuverable, and the quad fin setup makes the board really fun to ride.  The 8'11" is designed to be manuverable on waves so tracking on flatwater is not what it was really designed for, however on waves the quad setup makes it easy to hold a line but still be able to break free and carve easily when you want to.

I think you would really enjoy the 8'11" as a surf SUP board at you size.

I'll start by saying that these are not beginners boards and you really should have solid SUP experience to be able to take full advantage of these boards. They are designed for surf, and they both do it well!  At 6'2"  205lbs the 8'11" Lil' Darling floats me pretty well.  I am fortunate  enough to have the 9'6" Surf Music as well and I can definitely notice a difference in the volume (10 liters) between the two, at my weight. The 9'6" is a little floatier but I am really of fan of the quad set up on the 8'11".

I think at at 216 lbs, if you have solid experience, you could really go with either board but I would recommend trying both of the boards out first before you make a decision.