At 185 lbs, how narrow can I go on a 14?

[breakbad]

I tried a 14x25.5 today briefly which was 239L, probably weighed 26-28 lbs, epoxy / vector. Had a square tail, some extra volume in the nose with slight displacement hull underneath. No cockpit but a flat recessed deck which I actually really liked. I managed just fine in calm waters and some boat wake. I can imagine that I would do ok in rougher waters, but there will be another learning curve to tackle - but that is what I'm wanting.

I was questioning the glide however. This may only be something I can verify over a 3 mile run. It may have been in my head because of the lower volume, but I felt it wasn't gliding as well as my 27" which is very similar shape and only 15L more. Last year I remember trying a 14x24 that was about 240L and felt like one pull would rocket me 100 yards, but it was pure flat water board. I think I'm starting to 'feel' the give and take with the shape and volume. Or maybe trying a board should be taking it 3 miles with a gps, like the owner recommended.

[TallDude]

Boards with harder rails (sharper 90 deg rail to bottom ) will have more drag than one with softer rounded rails, but adds stability. A little more rocker will slow a board down in flat water,  yet be faster in the ocean. Rocker also adds stability. Lots of trade offs. It's not all about width. The pin tails reduce drag with a quiet release. They are more common on unlimited boards. Unlimiteds don't do well on buoy turn race's.

[TallDude]

If it wasn't clear , I meant the hard rails cause drag , but add stability.  So a 24" wide board with hard rails and more rocker will feel stable, but actually be slower than your 27" wide board. Volume plays less a factor.  I like boards that sit low and have less windage. I don't feel it slows the board down unless the tail is sunk.