which board next?

[Deepwaterdesigns]

hey all,
i have been riding a 7'6 hawaiian soul for a while now and my surfing has really progressed to the point where i think ive gotten the best i can from that board but im not sure where to go next.
do i go for an egg, a beefed up shortboard, a fat fish? theres so many options im not sure in which direction to go.
any advice would be appreciated.

[drowningbitbybit]

Height, weight, style, and what type of waves you surf before we can answer that one.

[Deepwaterdesigns]

here are some more specifics, im 6ft, 175lbs im starting to practice cutbacks and bottom turns and travel alot for work so surf wherever i can so conditions vary, have surfed in peru, mexico, carribean and alot in portugal. also looking for an easier board to travel with than my 7'6.

[drowningbitbybit]

For versatility, a fat shortboard would be best, I reckon.
Eggs and fishes suffer in steep and powerful waves (yes, yes, I know they CAN be surfed in steep waves...) but a fat shortboard will give you enough float yet be maneouvreable enough for you to progress on.

At your experience, height and weight, I'd be looking at something like 6'6 x 20 1/2 x 2 3/4 with a soft outline. Quite a lot of volume, but will still be a big step up from a 7'6. And easier to carry

[Deepwaterdesigns]

Thanks drowningbitbybit,
the information is really usefull, hopefully ill be able to test a few boards over the next few days and find something that suits. thanks again

[Deepwaterdesigns]

ive been looking at some boards both online at at my local shop, unfortunately havent been able to try anything due to the huge swells hittin mexico after tropical storm patricia....little bit above my level
but im thinking along the lines of a tiki fatboy 6'10 or similar, has anyone ridden one or owns one?
are they any good?