New guy wanting advice on board

[manta]

Blue Planet (site sponsor) makes the "Boss" 10-8 x 36" and "Sumo" 11-2 x 40"
SUP Sports (site sponsor) will make you a custom any way and size you like it.

We just built this custom vacuum bagged bamboo veneer, double stringer, 11'6" x 40" @ 301 liters, Hammer with extra PVC reinforcement in the standing area, for a big guy that's 6'5" 350#, who will be paddling it in Pennsylvania...it came in under 30#...we've got a custom laser cut pad on it's way...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2016/04/thors-hammer.html

http://supsports.com/standup-paddle-boards/california-custom-series/

http://supsports.com/standup-paddle-boards/hammer-series/

IMO, the SB Avanti has waaay too much rocker...we have better paddling and surfing options now for bigger guys...also, Made in USA...

Why do you have the old apartheid South African flag on the bottom of the board?

[Bean]

Cap'n, since you can stand on your current inflatable board of 10.5' x32" but it just feels unstable, JimK is spot on.  Slightly more width and better construction will have you on your way.

Congrats on your progress so far!

[SUP Sports ®]

Aloha manta,
It's a custom board for a guy that grew up in South Africa...he supplied the graphics...we facilitated the lamination logistics into the design...

If you look more closely...the rails are striped black, green and yellow...representing the country’s black population...therefore, it's a complex blend representing both black and white...old and new...

From Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Africa

At the time of its adoption, the South African flag was the only national flag in the world to comprise six colours in its primary design. Three of the colours – black, green and yellow – are found in the banners of the African National Congress, the Pan Africanist Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party – and are thus said to represent the country’s black population. The other three – red, white and blue – are displayed on the old Dutch tricolour and the British Union flag and represent the white population.

[HanaSurf]

I think an Amundson Source 11'10x34 would be a good choice  I believe JimK carries Amundson. Perhaps he would comment on this board.

[Sup-position]

Hey here is a new one from Starboard

This is the 12'10" Stealth

299 Liters, so that is plenty of float..

Only issue might be 33" Wide..

Looks Sweet though...

$2406 + shipping...

1 Year Warranty...

[Dkyachtphoto]

I have a buddy that is 6'9" 395 who got on my Bote Ahab last week. It was his 1st time on a SUP and he was standing and paddling in less than 2 minutes. He was very comfortable on it. It's 14'x33"x8" and supports 500#s.

Dave

[SlatchJim]

The average zoner seems to be bigger and older than the general populace. 

[bigmak]

As a big guy with an Avanti I personally feel it will be too small for you. I tried to learn to surf on it at 335lbs, 340+ with a 4/3 suit on and it wasn't great. When you're that big you sit so low in the water, even on the Avanti, that it's tough to move so much mass. I have a Joe Blair 11'3x38 that I learned to surf on I bet would work for you. Joe's boards are priced nicely too. You need 250L or more and at least 34-36" wide. The Avanti gets fun once you get below the 325 mark. Just my $.02.

[Weeble]

Listen to these guys CaptainJim, there is a LOT of knowledge here.  Get something that will properly float you and let you build your skills.  Also, if you get something decent to good quality and take care of it, it will be easier to sell when you are ready to move up to a different board.  Cheap boards are sometimes hard to sell.   As your skills increase, so will your health and stamina, and of course so will your enjoyment of paddling.  Also, try to get a lesson from a local paddler, especially a racer that can help get your paddle technique going in the right direction.  I'd say about 99% of the SUPers that I have met have always been cool and very giving of their time and advice.  When you learn to paddle correctly, and use more of your core muscles, you'll be able to paddle longer instead of gassing out from using the smaller muscle groups.  You'll be out longer, paddling further, burning more calories and getting in shape faster.  Build your skills/ balance, drop the weight and before you know it, you'll be demo'ing some narrower and faster boards that really allow you some glide and let you add more distance to your adventures.