Short board help

[DannyG]

Hey y'all, need some help on shortboard sizes. Have been surfing for around 2-3 years I would say I am an intermediate surfer - can cutback top turn bottom turn etc nothing special. I was wondering which route I should take in terms of my next board. Preferably would like something that can turn easier and is more short boardy but need some guidance. My current board is 5'8 19 3/4 (not sure about thickness) but is about 28 litres and I find it a bit too large and is a bit too hard to turn. I was thinking about getting a shortboard- I previously tried a Bruce irons 6'0 around 18 (and again not sure about thickness) but i would say it had around 25-28 litres. It was great. Easier to turn, had a surprising amount of paddle power and easy to take off on. It felt quite a bit less bouyant which I would assume was from the distribution over the longer length. Confused at what kind of board I should go for next, shorter board around 5'6 with around 25 litres or a longer more shortboard style board. I just want a board that is going to be a step up for me and help me turn and improve my surfing. Thanks in advance (hope I get a reply haha)

[jaffa1949]

If you liked the AI model why not go that way

[waikikikichan]

What was the size of the board previous to the current 5'8". Also what was the size previous to that. Need to establish a history to figure out what board to get in the future.

[DannyG]

Re Waikikikichan:
I've had a few. Started on a 7ft softie, went on to a 5'5" fish, was too small, got a 5'11" hybrid, then my current board. I'm quite stuck as I'm not sure if I get a smaller higher litre board (5'6" 25 litres) or a longer board with similar litres.

[waikikikichan]

So 5'5" was too small. You grew out of the 5'11". You currently on a 5'8". And now think the answer is a 5'6". You are so stuck only on Volumes and Length. There are so many more dimensions and designs to a surfboard that changes how it performs. You can look at 10 different boards all with the same exact Length and Volume, and EACH one will ride very differently.

two advices.
1) Change you fins. What fins are you running on the 5'8" ? What is your height and weight ?
2) Go ride a much bigger board for a whole week. Try ride a buddies unused 6'4" - 6'6". Your leg strength and timing will improve. Then tossing around your 5'8" will be easy.