glide 12 or 14?

[corlot]

Hi all,
I know this topic has been covered in the past but I need help deciding. My current quiver includes a 12,6 Starboard Pin, a 11,6 Naish Nalu ast and a Laird 11,6 Ron House. Will a 12 Glide be that much different than my Pin or even the Nalu for that matter? My focus is now on downwinding and space is an issue ( I live in a condo ). I can just squeeze a 14 Glide in my place but it will be tight, the 12 would be easier.
I weigh 185, height 5,9 and the downwinders are primarly made up of small, choppy and closely spaced waves of the Pacific NorthWest ( I live in WhiteRock BC close to Bellingham WA ). Thanks for the help! 

[Easy Rider]

The Glide 12 will be quite similar to the Starboard Pin.
Flatter in the nose and sharper rails - but similar.
If you want a DW board the Glide 14 would be a better choice.
my 2¢

[JonathanC]

Hi Corlot,
I had a Pin for 12 months and think it is a great board for downwinders in small close chop. Get the biggest dolphin type fin you can find 11" or 12" and enjoy it. It has enough rocker and even if the nose pierces a little it doesn't slow the board much at all.
I've paddled the 12 Glide on many downwinders and IMO the Pin is superior in the conditions you describe, I'm 147lbs and 5'8.
Glide 14 is certainly faster than the 12 or the Pin downwind, but it isn't night and day to the Pin.
Sometimes in smaller conditions I prefer a 12'6 to a 14, they accelerate faster letting you catch the smallest bumps. 

[DavidJohn]

Get the 14 for sure.. 

DJ

[PT Woody]

I owned a 12' Glide for about a month. I sold it. I honestly don't know what the point of that board is. The Pin is superior in every conceivable way. I have one, I love it. The 11'6" Nalu is much better than the 12' Glide. Had one of those too, loved it. If you are choosing a DW board and the choice is between the 12' Glide and the 14' Glide, then 9 times out of 10 you should buy the 14'. And on the 10th occasion, consider the 12', then slap yourself really hard, and buy the 14'.

[Scottiver]

So does the 12'er do anything better than the 14'?

[DavidJohn]

So does the 12'er do anything better than the 14'?

No.. not really.. 

Actually it is more maneuverable.. and works better in the surf.. also maybe a better board for a learner.. and also much lighter to lift on and off the roof of the car.

DJ

[Scottiver]

So does the 12'er do anything better than the 14'?

No.. not really..  

Actually it is more maneuverable.. and works better in the surf.. also maybe a better board for a learner.. and also much lighter to lift on and off the roof of the car.

DJ

"You see Charlie Brown, it's not such a bad little board after all"  

[lee]

So does the 12'er do anything better than the 14'?

The 12' Windsurfs better, Surfs better,
My 12' glide is my favorite windsurf board .But I don't paddle it any more since I got the 14 surfrace..

[Aiyah]

Get a 14, just because the pin and glide are soooo similar you'd almost be buying the same board twice.

[Seattle-Wind]

So does the 12'er do anything better than the 14'?

The 12' Windsurfs better, Surfs better,
My 12' glide is my favorite windsurf board .But I don't paddle it any more since I got the 14 surfrace..

That's funny, i've also noticed how well the 12' glide does as a windsurfing board...it's a shame they don't manufacture them with the mast-base screw anymore. I'll be keeping my 12' glide for a long time as it's a great all rounder - good cruiser, downwind, windsurf...it does it all. I've even kited with it before

[corlot]

Thanks everyone for your help. I think the 14 glide is out as I have measured my storage space and I am missing a couple of inches.Arghh!

I may buy the 12 Glide and sell the Nalu ( better board for my wife? ).
Can anyone comment on another board with a planing hull and under 13 feet for downwinding?

DJ I like the video of you downwinding on the 12!

[PBS]

You will love the Glide 14. We use the Glide 14 on an inland lake with a 7 mile fetch and it absolutely rips! It is fast and has significantly more nose rocker than a Glide 12 or a Pin. The Pin is a great board but it doesn't catch rides like the Glide 14...it's narrow pin tail holds it back though I have done quite a few downwinders on both. The 14 is also a capable flat water board. Though not as fast as the fastest boards in the category in flat water it paddles very well. The Glide 12 is not enough different from the Pin to justify its purchase. My two cents at 158 pounds and 5'10".

Gary Stone

[DavidJohn]

Can anyone comment on another board with a planing hull and under 13 feet for downwinding?

Bummer about not having space for a 14.. As far as another board under 13' you should also check out the new Coreban 12'6" Alpa Race.. It's a beauty.

DJ