what size CI Pod to get?

[evanrm]

hey, so im taking off on a trip for central america in a week and i want to bring down a progressive fish shape to go with my 6'6".

if i had the time i would get a board shaped but i don't so im gonna pick up a pod. im 6'4" and 180 lbs. and can't decide between the 5'10" and the 6'0" al merrick pod. im an intermediate surfer and really comfortable on my shortboard. the guy at the shop recommends the 6'0". i want this board to be good on smaller days but also be able to take it out when its HH.

am i going to big with the 6'0". anybody with experience with or advice on this would be great.

[Jimi]

I bought a 6'1 x 20 ½" x 2 5/8 " pod (not CI, but from my local shaper - it is a quad instead of a thruster but that's about the only design difference) 6 months ago. (single into double concave, with a fair bit of tail kick)

I'm 6'1 tall, and weigh 75kg (165lbs) and I find it fairly corky to sit on. On the other hand, I can still duckdive it easily, although not as deep as my 6'3 shortboard, and it paddles ridiculously fast onto waves. I find it still to be fairly responsive for turning, although still more gentle than a shorty. I personally was thinking about going sub 6ft, but in retrospect I'm glad I've got the extra length, as it makes it easier for weight distribution when paddling and riding since I'm tall-ish. If I were to get another, I would get it a little thinner than 2 5/8" but that shouldn't be an issue for you at 180lbs.

I have had mine out on plenty of small days where it is unbeatable, and also caught a few waves in the shoulder to head high range, where I find it is very very very fast. Especially on the drop. It's all too easy to just outrun the face, and suddenly be looking around to see where the wave has disappeared to behind you (at a point break at least). I guess this is where I should be practicing cutbacks.

Hope that helps.

[trifish]

Both will float you fine. I tried a friends 5'8 version whenever I was heavier and around 180. I would just pick based on your length preference. Im only 5'9". I dont think I would want a board half a foot shorter then my height underneath me. It just means more critical placement for your foot position. A thinner 6'0" version would be perfect I think, but since a custom isnt a option right now I would go with the 6ft off the shelf model.