Newbie

[BrittanysDad]

There is a Laird on Craigslist in Tampa for $400 bucks you may want to check that out!

Sent him and email asking for the dimensions.  Thanks!


Just got an email from him:

Length: 12’1" 368.30 cm
nose: 21.00" 53.34 cm
mid: 31.00" 78.74 cm
tail: 19.25" 48.90 cm
thick: 4.13" 10.49 cm

[noworrieshawaii]

I was gonna suggest the Laird... I got one for a friend who is about your size... It was perfect for him.. the 12' Laird... One of the guys here who is actually a small guy, absolutely rips has on one he uses in the summertime small waves... 360's, nose rides...  and for $400 if it isnt totally trashed... great price...  The rails are probably all chipped up from paddle wacks... check and make sure no cracks... And check the weight... think mine is 31lbs with fin and pad. It is a fairly heavy board.

[TerryS]

Jes
 I dont think you can go wrong for $400, That thing will float you like a cork. Having  fun learning on board thats big and easy to ride is the way to go. Tracy I think the add said only used a few times! sound like a winner maybe hes got a paddle too!.They should let you demo it.

[BrittanysDad]

I was gonna suggest the Laird... I got one for a friend who is about your size... It was perfect for him.. the 12' Laird... One of the guys here who is actually a small guy, absolutely rips has on one he uses in the summertime small waves... 360's, nose rides...  and for $400 if it isnt totally trashed... great price...  The rails are probably all chipped up from paddle wacks... check and make sure no cracks... And check the weight... think mine is 31lbs with fin and pad. It is a fairly heavy board.

The ad says it's about 35 lbs.

[noworrieshawaii]

I can weigh mine this weekend. That sounds a little heavy but maybe he's just guesstimating.... If there is no damage to the board, it sounds like a great deal. I tried to find the post where I had listed all the weights but cant find it.  It may end up being too big for you but I doubt it.. and at that price, it can always be the loaner/teaching board later down the road.. I keep mine just for that purpose... and I paid $1400 new for mine.   It was built for the big guys.

[BrittanysDad]

Called him and someone already got it.  Bummer.
However, as with all things surf, I'll find what I need, then, what I want after that.

I can't express the gratitude I have for the members of this forum being so helpful in this.  It speaks well of both you as individuals, this forum, and the SUP community as a whole.

Thanks, again.

BD

[Dugman]

Hi BD
I am new to stand up and weigh about 240 and I am 6'6". Over the past month I have rented and tried many boards. What works well in flat water and what works well in waves or wind chop is often two different things. All I can say from my limited experience though  about (40 to 50 hours on the water) is that I have alot more fun with wide boards. I rented a Laird  12'1"and found it stable in flat water not so stable in windchop and waves would be worn out after about an hour or so of paddleing in rough water . I also tried a NSP 11'6". It is 2" wider than the Laird and found it much more stable all around. I would go out and have 3 to 4 hour sessions on it in small waves . I also rented the Naish Mana 10'5. This board is even wider (35"). Has a flatish rocker compared to the other two boards but rode  small waves suprisingly well, was very easy to paddle and very stable. I rode a wave and fell back on the board and was able to recover. My buddies and I had a great laugh. They had never seen that done before. Rented the Naish Glide 12 and 14. Great on flat water. The do what they are suppose to but found as soon as the wind and chop came up they were unstable.
I ended up purchasing the NSP 11'6" but would think I would be just as happy with the Naish Mana 10'5". I would say the NSP cruises better but the Mana is probably a little more stable and turns better. I am currently wait on shipment of a South County Turtle. I am getting it for the waves.
Try as many boards as you can.

Aloha
Doug

[PonoBill]

Boy, that would be pretty painless. I remember when you couldn't get a Laird for retail. One of them changed hands here on Maui for $1900!

[BrittanysDad]

When the weather breaks and the rain stops, I'm going to go rent one or two from one shop and try a few of the demos at another place.  We'll see how it goes. 

I appreciate all the input from everyone.  You have been more than helpful.

And for the record, very little of what I'll be doing will be on flat water.  Most of it will be in the surf in the Cocoa Beach area, maybe Sebastian and Daytona Beach as well.

Thanks again!