Retro Fish for a beginner

[sj410]

Hi everyone

after renting an 8" softie for the past few months I've decided to buy a surfboard.
Im 5'11, 170 lbs, plan to surf once a week, and driving a soft-top small jeep (samurai).
this means owning everything over 7'4 is a challange. what are my options?
a friend suggested me to buy a 6'6 retro fish 51L, could I handle it as a begginner?
I would prefer the smallest surfboard possible for my car but bigger volume is a must for beginners.

what do you guys think?

[waikikikichan]

6'6 retro fish 51L, could I handle it as a begginner?

Answer is NO. Especially if you're a beginner that can't turn backside.

a friend suggested me to buy a 6'6 retro fish 51L, could I handle it as a begginner?

Since he's so helpful with advice, want don't you ask him to let you try one of his fishes BEFORE you go buy one of your own.

I would prefer the smallest surfboard possible for my car but bigger volume is a must for beginners.

You should stay in the 2 feet over your head range until you can turn backside and have a good sense of Trim. Forget about "volume", you need "size". Your rental 8'0" softy had maybe as much float a progressive 9'0" longboard.

But if 7'4" is your max in the Suzuki Samurai, then get the max. 8 foot would be better, but 7'4" is better than nothing.