Big Boy Board...a few choices...

[Hip]

I am 5'6" 260lbs and active. Looking at the Hovie 11'6",  Starboard Cruiser 12X30, Starboard Big Easy 12x32, The King 11'2"x31, and thinking about a Joe Blair. Just looking for opinions on these boards and recomendations if you have any. Was gonna get one last year but got a Longboard instead. Just sold that and am ready to step into SUP. Thanks

[diesel]

Definitely the King because it is made by hand for you.  I would always get a custom if the price is comparable.  Only thing is you have to wait until it gets made so you have to have a bit of patience. 

[SoCo]

Okay, here's another option for you from a little local SoCal sup company.

You can ride any of our boards, even the 7'10, we specialize in big boy boards.

The guy in this photo is on the South County 10'er, he is 6' 9" and weighs around 320 lbs. He bought the board after a 5 minute paddle, he was sinking and felt super wobbly on all the other SUPs he tried.

Oh and the SoCos all surf great.


Are you confused yet?


www.southcountysurf.com

[Hip]

Ill check them out too. Is the floatation better with higher volume? I just saw the Naish 11'6" and was checking that out too.

[DavidJohn]

Also try and demo a 10' Naish Mana and a 10' Starboard Whopper.

They should float you ok and then there's also the super big 10'5" Naish Mana if they don't.

DJ

[Easy Rider]

Hip - - What are you wanting to do on the board?
Surf?
Flatwater?
Windsurf?
Racing?

The answers will help to determine what might work well for you.

[Hip]

I want it for flatwater and surfing. Not looking for something to ride in overhead surf...something to have fun in ankle to chest high. More concerned with it floating me good for flatwater. I kayak and can stand up in my Kayak easily but its 14' and 34" wide. My balance is pretty good. I surfed for a while when I was younger and was using a 10'6" Walden last year and got up a few times. Just looking for something with less of a learning curve that I can enjoy even if its flat or mushy. 

[Hip]

Whats with the handles on the Naish Manta 10'6"? Not liking that at all.

[Easy Rider]

Here's my 2¢

The Starboard Big Easy - or the Naish 11'6" will be the best bet for your size and intended use.
They both have about the same volume
Starboard is longer - 12' vs. 11'6"
Starboard is wider - 32" vs. 29.75"
Naish is thicker.

The Starboard will be a bit more stable and will catch small waves easier because of the width - and the Naish will be a bit faster because it is narrower.

Hope that helps.
Warren

[Easy Rider]

Whats with the handles on the Naish Manta 10'6"? Not liking that at all.

The 10'5" Mana is for all levels of paddlers - from "never evers" to more experienced people.
The nose and tail handles are for either carrying it to the beach (think small kids) or for hanging on to the board in surf.
They are actually a great feature for certain people.

[paddlesurf.net]

I'm kind of a big boy (5'10, 235 lbs) my suggestion is to go for a wide board- I think width has a disproportionate effect on stability... just my 2 cents!

[stoneaxe]

I'm an expert on big boy boards...about the only thing i'm expert on... . I had 30+ lbs on you when I started. You've gotten lots of good advice. If you want the most stability look at boards that carry their width through most of the board. A board that is 32" but narrows quickly won't be near as stable as a board 30" that carries its width throughout  That SoCo looks like it would be ridiculously stable.

That said...if you get a board that feels a bit unstable at first you'll find after a short while it will be fine...and be better on flatwater. if flatwater is you're biggest concern length comes into the equation as well. Don't rule out something like the Starboard 12-6 cruiser either...much better flatwater board than something like the 10' whopper and it is very forgiving and fun in the surf you are taking about.

You really need to demo regardless of what anyone says....we're all different. Pick 4 or 5 of the boards mentioned and try them out.

[Hip]

I can get a new 09' 12-6 Cruiser for $1400 with a Lewis Kahana Paddle. If I decide to go with that does it seem like a good deal?

[Dugman]

I am 6'6" and about 240 lbs. My SOCO Turtle  (10X 34) is alot of fun in the waves. I also have an NSP (11'6" X 33)  that is good all around. It does not ride or maneuver waves as well as the SOCO Turtle but has better glide in flat water.
I have rented many boards and found anything under 31" unstable when the condition are anything more than flat. Rented the Naish Mana 10'5" X 35 and enjoyed that board also. It was very stable and had some glide for a board it length. Flattish rocker and single fin, but rode small waves well. Just need to keep the nose out of the water on a waves
There are alot of options. Try as many as you can.

[EastFL]

As a member of the Big Boy Club I feel compelled to jump in on this.  I'm 6'3" 245.  My first board was the starboard big easy and I weighed around 255-260 then.  Flatwater was really easy at first and the surf was a bit challenging the first few sessions. 

After about three months I was really ready for a more aggressive surf design.  Don't get my wrong, I pushed the envelop with the Big Easy.  I had the board out in overhead hurricane swell and it got it done.  It was overmatched, but I still had some great sessions in sizable surf (relative to FL).  Second board is the PSH 10'6" WAA.  I love this board and rarely use my Starboard anymore.  However, I wouldn't recommend this as your starter board. 

I haven't ridden a lot of the other boards so I'll stick to dimensions.  For one board, I would stay around 11'x30" given your size.  BUT get out and rid as many as you can.