Surfing Waves

Evening all,
Question you've all had a million times...what board should I get ?
I was riding a 7ft 9 and wanted something to improve on. Ended up getting a 6ft 4 x 21 x 2 1/2 & struggling like hell. Any suggestions welcome but in particular your views on a 7ft 4 x 19 x 2 1/2 as I wonder with the extra foot in length would I miss the 2" in width ?
Thanks in advance for your response.

The 7'4 board sounds very narrow and thin - makes me think it's a semi gun ie designed for very big surf (double - triple overhead). Does it have a narrow tail (pintail?) if it is a semi gun then it's not designed for small waves, it's designed to deal with big waves only. Guns are longer but thinner and narrower and can confuse because the length seems closer to a funboard - but they aren't

It doesn't appears to be a funboard or mini mal, which is what you appear to need. Those board will be 20-23 wide and thicker.

After a 7'9, if you are comfortable on that, maybe look for a 6'10 hybrid or funboard. So 21-22.5 wide and 2 3/4 thick or so. But you should give us your weight and level of skill

Short answer: the board you suggest doesn't seem appropriate, but there are plenty of boards that will be

Also a 7'9 won't hinder your improvement. Going shorter means you surf differently but not necessarily better

I went from a 9'2 nsp to this

http://fourthsurfboards.com/portfolio-i ... bean-2016/

I did try a slightly thinner board but it was fairly difficult for me to catch anything so I went for this with a bit more volume. Works a treat for me and on my first outing on it I had my best ever back handed wave and a couple of great waves on my forehand. Since then I have had a few great sessions on it.

Legenderic wrote:I was riding a 7ft 9 and wanted something to improve on. Ended up getting a 6ft 4 x 21 x 2 1/2 & struggling like hell.

"Improve" on what ? Wave count, Turns ( including bottom turn ), duck diving, airs ?
"Struggling like hell" how ? Struggling to Paddle, get out, get on, turns ?
You know what's going on, we don't. Please clarify so it is easier to recommend advices.