looking for long board

i've been surfing for about a year now and i'm looking to get a long board since most of my friends long board. i'm 5'10", 160 lbs athletic. i started on a 7'6" fun board in sept 05, and am now riding a 6' for the past 6 months. i'm looking for a board that is very responsive, i've riden three long boards, am 8'6" and a 9'6" that were both really thick, and had the hardest time turning them, they are probubly 3" thick, then i tried a 9' that is probubly half as thick and it was carving great. i also want something that i can walk the nose on, something that i can realy play with. if you could give me an idea of dimentions, tail shape, and any other little things i should be looking for. thanks