Small Wave Day Board Advice

[wetdogsoup]

Living in Wilmington on the coast of NC, there are many days when my old C4 Classic Dave Parmenter board (10'6 x 28.5" x 4 1/8" 160L) isn't quite enough to get my 185#'s on the knee high to ankle slappers.

Suggestions?

I'm an intermediate surfer with a 9'4" Hobie CM for larger days and a 14' flat water board for cruising.
Tried the Hobie CM LB (10'6" x 30 x 4.75 169L) - Great expectations, but Ehh, felt thick and disconnected.
Tried the Naish Nalu GT (11'4" x 30 x 4.5 180L) - Liked it, but didn't know if I might be able to go a tad shorter and less volume but still catch 'em.

Particularly wondering about:

Starboard Blend 11'2" x 30 x 4.3 174L
Starboard Drive  10'5" x 30 x 4  160L
Naish Nalu 10'6.5" x 30 x 4 160L (one of DJ's favs)

Thanks!  dw in WB (not to be confused with dw in KB!)

[JimK]

Wetdog,

Those are all nice board options

If you want a noserider type board I'd suggest looking at
JP Widestyle in the lighter construction it is very nice cruisy feel
SB Nose Rider Pure Noserider Set the line get on the nose and hang...

If you want a livelier feel (shortboard like)
JP Fusion 10'2 again in lighter construction you can really throw it around on small surf
Fanatic AllWave 9'10 (or 9'6 or 2014 9'5) The 9'10 & 9'6 noseride well but are a skateboard loose feel of a FISH shortboard if you ride it off your back foot. The 2014 aren't the nose rider of previous years but with a curvier template and a looser rail configuration These boards ride like a shortboard and REALY generate speed!

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[wetdogsoup]

Thanks Jim for the suggestions.

I do prefer the short board feel.  Tried a friend's 11' Laird Pearson Arrow and it certainly caught the waves but only turned off the tail.

I'm all in for the shorter boards like the JP Fusion or  AllWaves, but just figured if I couldn't catch waves on the 10'6" x 28.5" C4 Classic , then I needed to be looking at something longer.

Misguided?  Would same size board but wider or with less rocker be able to catch the mushy rollers?

[Zooport]

Wetdog,

Those are all nice board options

If you want a noserider type board I'd suggest looking at
JP Widestyle in the lighter construction it is very nice cruisy feel
SB Nose Rider Pure Noserider Set the line get on the nose and hang...

If you want a livelier feel (shortboard like)
JP Fusion 10'2 again in lighter construction you can really throw it around on small surf
Fanatic AllWave 9'10 (or 9'6 or 2014 9'5) The 9'10 & 9'6 noseride well but are a skateboard loose feel of a FISH shortboard if you ride it off your back foot. The 2014 aren't the nose rider of previous years but with a curvier template and a looser rail configuration These boards ride like a shortboard and REALY generate speed!

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

Hey JimK.  I might be interested in an AllWave.  You appear to have a shop in NJ.  Can you tell me how to get one in So Cal?  I was a windsurfing nut in the 80's and 90's and owned a Fanatic windsurf board.  Loved it, so the idea of a Fanatic SUP is appealing.  

[RATbeachrider]

WaterOTB, contact Carl at stokedsup.com.  His business is located in So. Cal.

[Zooport]

Thanks, Rat!

[Fog City Rider]

Have you tried switching to smaller fins?   

I have an SB Drive, and for small days I use a 5" center fin and feel it's easy to catch & get the most out of just about any size wave.  IMO the large 10" center fin it came with was overkill for small waves.   

Not to discourage you from purchasing a new toy...

[bts]

When it is really small like that I mostly paddle around on my downwind board and catch waves here and there.  Have you tried surfing your 14?

[wetdogsoup]

bts - I'm not sure I appreciate the tone of your response.

Are you suggesting I single handedly attempt to thwart our country's economic recovery by utilizing a board already in my quiver?  You my good man, obviously underestimate my patriotism!

(unless of course you're suggesting I acquire a downwind board, as my 14'er has nary a rocker to her - then I salute you)

Fog City - didn't realize the size of the fin would make that much difference.  My C4 has an 8" fin, I'll try smaller.
               Also will be trying out a SB Drive on Saturday if surf holds up.  Fog City, may I ask how much you weigh?

DJ - is the Naish Nalu 10'6.5" your small wave day board?

[RATbeachrider]

Thanks, Rat!

Carl will allow you to demo too ... either at Torrance or RAT beach.