Good, durable all around distance board, any suggestions?

[Strand Leper]

Looking for an all around distance board for ocean going cruising, riding swell, riding waves when it is too small for regular SUP... Want to also be able to race in the occasional ocean race in So Cal.  (Battle of Paddle) Primary location, Dana Point. 

Storage is not an issue.

6'2" 185ish

Any suggestions?  (tell me what you did and didn't like about the board)

Thanks inadvance for your input,

Tim

[kwhilden]

http://www.imaginesurfboards.com/eng/sprinter.html

Corran knows a thing or two about designing fast racing hulls. He raced slalom kayaks in the '92 olympics.

Adam has a demo in Dana Point. Check it out and let us know what you think.

[Strand Leper]

Geez, another Imagine Eco... I have my limits you know, Kevin.  Thanks for the tip, I will e-mail Adam...

Tim

[JimK]

really look at the Starboards Great construction and shapes

need more details jusat pop me a note karabaszJP@aol.com

jimK
www.extremewindsurfing

[venice mace]

Bark

[Mana Karma]

I use, and enjoy my 12' Naish Glide.  I use it mostly when the waves are small or when I want to cover more then a few miles.  I take it out from Tourmaline and paddle north to La Jolla reefs/cove or south into Mission Bay where my special lady lives.  If you want to check it for a bit hit me when you are in SD next.  Also know where you can get one for a good deal...

[Reid SUP'd]

Yea I would suggest a starboard as well, i think the 12'6 cruiser is a perfect fit and if you want to go a little smaller the 12ft big easy is nice too except its a bit wider

[stoneaxe]

I still think one of the best all around boards is the Starboard Cruiser. At 12-6 its perfect for a fun board for the BOP. Unlikely that you'll win anything on an all-around vs race specific competition but it doesn't sound like thats the focus. It catches anything, smooth tracking, and still surfs nice from the tail. Even works pretty well downwind. There are a lot of them out there too...you might find one used.
I don't think the big easy is as good an all around board, It's more forgiving (you don't need that) but the cruiser is faster and surfs better. There's nothing I don't like about the cruiser as an all around. I almost always bring that board with me regardless of what other boards I might have on the rack. I've used mine for coastal runs, had it in everything from ripples to overhead, gone downwind, and its twice made the 30 mile crossing in the CCBC...once with me on it and once with Bill.
If you did want to drop down in size I'd skip down to the 11-2 UB. Not as fast but still cruises OK and is better in the surf.
In the tufskin they are near to bulletproof.

[Brian]

Definitely a Bark. He will let you demo and make you anything you want to your specs with his expertise.  AWESOME.  

[DavidJohn]

I reckon go for the 12' Naish Glide... I love mine.. 

DJ

[PonoBill]

Well, NOT a Bark, not if you want to surf it.

I've said this many times before, but I consider the old 12'2" Starboard to be one of the most versatile boards around, the 12'6" is a close second. I like the Naish Glide, but it's too much of a pure distance board to surf well IMO. The 12'2" is an exceptional surfboard. The challenge will be to find one. Likely to be used, though I've seen one recently in a rental fleet!! I'd never rent that board to anyone but an experienced paddler. At 26" wide, minimal rocker and straight rails it's a trick to stand on.

Also sails great.

[mik911]

How are the Paddle Surf Hawaii boards in this catagory? ie distance touring and surfing.

[Ronan "Doc Jacobs"]

The only PSH that could match IMHO would be the 12' Gun, good surfer but can cruise too

[Pureadrenalin]

IMO I would also suggest the Bark or Naish. The glide on these boards is great and very addicting.

[WB]

I love my Hobie CR-1.5 12'6.  Carbon deck and rails with glass bottom.

Great glide, surfs decent (doho on a low day as well as San-O) when back on the tail, successful racing pedigree and best of all locally made and designed with some great support. DIsplacement Hulls are a different balance vibe on the water when you first start to use them but the speed for our local conditions is great.

I know they have a couple on the racks in Hobie DP and some used are running around. I typically use mine to run from South Laguna down past Creek to the headland and back.

I live in South Laguna so you are welcome to try mine if Hobie doesn't have a demo for you.

-WB