Starboard atlas extra vs avanti

[supDane]

Starboard 12'0 " X36 " ATLAS EXTRA 253 L  vs Starboard 11'2 " X36 " AVANTI 239 L
Is there anyone who can tell me if there is a big difference between these two sup 's.
If there will be a noticeable difference in volume and feeling in the water.
I am a very big guy 6'5" and 300 lb
I need a board to start up in waves.

[beached]

those are both REALLY big boards for waves, even at your size. I'd think for cruising around they'd be fine, but a handful in any kind of surf. i'd look more in 10'*34" range and +- 200L range for a beginner surf SUP. just one guys opinion though.

[supthecreek]

Hi Dane
My 1st SUP was an Avanti in AST.... I loved that board!
It surfed amazingly well for a big board..... better than a lot of smaller boards I have ridden since.
I surfed 1' up to 8' hurricane swells on it..... handled OH waves with style!

Only issue I ever had with it:
it was heavy.... and it was trying to kill me. Big board... hard to get away from in a wipeout.
In bigger waves, it hit me pretty hard a bunch of times. So I lost a ton of weight and got a smaller board.

Solution?
I just paddled JimK's carbon Avanti last week...... holy crap, I think I may steal it from him 
About 24 lbs??? guessing, but I smiled when I paddled it.... still feels awesome!
I want to surf the carbon one for sure!

Here's some pics of my 1st few months on SUP.... 11'2 x 36 Avanti will lay down a turn!

Ps.... the Atlas and Drive can't touch the Avanti in my book, don't turn as well.

[supthecreek]

PS.... I weighed 285 lbs at the time.... so right in your ball park.

[gladwell4]

The Avanti works well in surf. Iʻve ridden it in both carbon and startouch construction and from 290 down to 240lbs. Surfs well at SanO/Dogpatch as well as Puamana and Launiopoko in Maui
from 1ʻ to OH they are fun boards. I currently have a carbon model (28#) it can feel big sometimes, but a wonderful friend in the surf.

[JimK]

Glad

Did you buy that carbon Avanti on Craigslist in San Clemente from a guy named CHEYNE?

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[gladwell4]

No, HiTech in Maui. Great way to break-in a new board

[SUPcheat]

Boy, Creek, you look great on that Avanti, even with the extra poundage.

[SlatchJim]

Gladwell's carbon Avanti is a great looking and surfing board from what I've seen.

If you ever decide to sell it Bob, My bigger little brother is interested.

(hey, you gotta get dibs in early these days) 

[Easy Rider]

Avanti is designed as a big persons / small wave surfboard.
Atlas is designed as a big persons all around flat water board.

[bigmak]

Get the Avanti.  I'm 6'5" and right now I'm back up to 325 and been surfing my Avanti lately.  I've used it when I was as heavy as 340 and at my latest "lightest" weight of 295.  (In my opinion it works best in surf when 325 or less)  It's my board for small, mushy waves and maybe up to about waist to chest high.  It's a tank, but it's just so easy to ride.  I can walk all over it.  I can stay out forever because I don't get tired as quickly.  I love it.  Don't know if I'll ever get rid of it, but a lighter carbon version is sounding a bit tempting.  Although I don't find the weight to be too big of an issue and I have the AST version.  Not too much fun tho when surf starts to get a little bigger tho.  I took it out once in overheard surf (only because it was the only board I had on me) and broke the leash like immediately. 

[JimK]

BigMak,

You are ridding my 2 favorite boards for us BIG BONED guys
Avanti (Carbon really makes a difference reduced weight is one thing, but the added stiffness is the real benefit)
AW 9'10 (wish they offered it in LTD)
and AW 9'8 LTD (Turbo charged AW 9'10 can't say if its the shape or the construction but IT ROCKS!)

Just say'n

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[supDane]

Thanks for all the good answers to my questions
I believe it is the Avanti I will buy
New question; Should I go for carbon?
How is the strength of this carbon board vs other board materials?

Holger

[supthecreek]

My ASP Avanti was very well built, but the paint was easily rubbed off by the paddle.

Many of my friends surf smaller Starboard carbon boards and they have never had a problem.
JimK will have an answer on the carbon Avanti build.

If you can afford the carbon.... buy it, if just from a safety standpoint..... the AST is heavy and not fun to get hit by in surf.

[gladwell4]

carbon + RailSaverPro