Surfing Waves

Sorry for what might possibly be another stupid question.

Can someone tell me the difference between a minimal and a long board, everywhere I find info it just says that a minimal is a cut down version of a longboard.

The reason I ask is all the charts say I should be on a 7'8-8' minimal or a 9'6+ longboard, if a minimal is just a cut down longboard then would an 8'6 longboard just be like a big minimal to me, the reason being that is the biggest I can get in the van.

As far as Longboard contest go, there is a ruling that boards are a minimum of 9 feet long. ( some rare contest, especially for keiki ( kids ) contest utilize the 3 feet over the head rule ). So that may be the cause of why longboards are 9 feet and over while Minimals/mini-tanker are less than 9')'. So is a 8'11" a longboard ? Depending on the nose volume/shape and bottom rocker. You can have two 8'0"s but one is a hybrid/funboard and one is a mini-tanker/minimal.
You have to consider more than just one dimension - length. A 8'6" x 23" x 3" is going to float more than my 9'1" x 21" x 2 5/8" contest longboard. Hobie Peter Pan Slug is a good example of "cheater" board. Walden Mega Magic are popular but I think at 23 1/2" for a 8'2", they're too rolly polly. Also look into molded epoxy boards as they have more float than standard boards and take more beating getting slammed in your van daily.
Another interesting thing is if you looking at glassing prices for surfboards. Some go from 8'6" to 9'6" instead of 8'0-8'11" then 9'0"-9"11".
Question - How tall and heavy are you ?

Thanks I'm 6'2 and 85kg which is around 180lb I think.