Help me narrow down my choices?

[HyrdoDoc]

Hi everyone. So I've read a good deal on choosing a board and at the end of the day there seems to be no real consensus. The problem is that I'm not the "average" making it a bit harder to give me advice, I suppose. I'll start by saying I'm 52, fairly sedentary, stand 5'8" and weigh 160. I figure I'm a beginner. I lived in Montauk, NY and surfed for 8 years on a variety of shapes and sizes from my original 1978 7'10" Morey Doyle foamie (the only board I still have), to a 6'6" Canyon swallowtail thruster, 5'6" box fix, and even a 10ft longboard. Of course that was 30 years ago and I'm not in the same league anymore. I threw on the wetsuit and had my first go of it in three decades 2 weeks back. I became winded paddling out to the lineup on my 7'6" but once out caught a few. Two more sessions last week and this week. Glad I still have my popup and stood each time. A bit of a hot mess, but rode the slop in to the beach with little problems. Now I'm looking to ditch the foamie and grab a real board. One board that does it all and will last whatever years of surfing I can still put in. What do I intend to do with it? Mostly ankle to thigh high rolling, sloppy East Coast sliders, beach-break. I'd like to just go out and cruise, have an easy time paddling, and at most, carve some wide graceful arcs. I'll be surfing a few times monthly. I don't noseride but then again, I've never tried. I don't want to shred. That all says performance longboard, I suppose, or mini-mal. I do prefer epoxy as I don't want to count my dings at the end of each session. I also don't want to ride a huge log that is unresponsive. So by way of reading and speaking to others, some recommendations for a high-volume board that are locally available are the Rusty Moby Fish, Channel Islands Water Hog, Walden Magic 8'6", Mega Magic 8', Modern Blackbird 8'6", Modern Doublewide, and Degree33 Ultimate 8'6". More often recommended than any other was the Walden Mega Magic for it's shorter length with ease of paddling. Others thought it was too much like riding a styrofoam pool float. Any thoughts or considerations on this short list? Any thoughts on which brand is considered a higher quality? Thanks for any thoughts, Doc

[HyrdoDoc]

Forgot to add the Steward Funline series, also available here. And don't you know, my Ford Escape won't handle more than a 9ft board, lol.

[Oldie]

Given that you want to cruise in ankle high waves, i would maximize the surface, so 9ft and chose something with a wider tail and not too much rocker. From what i hear, walden slx technologie in the mega magics is no that ding resistant, while the x2 magics seem to be very resistant. But walden is very expensive, so if you want to buy new, why not ask a local shaper?. Another option could be the steart Hydro Hull from Surftech, if you prefer sandwhich construction (very expensive again).

[Tudeo]

That all says performance longboard

Allrounder I would say, less rocker compared to performance longboard means easier paddling and more cruisy ride. Epoxy 9-footer around 70 liters.

[Big H]

It would be worth talking to a local shaper or at least some others at your break(s) to see what they use and what works for what you want to do. I had a longboard that was fairly flat rockered and it was difficult to use in local conditions that I usually surf in....I found that boards with more rocker work better here. Talking to someone might save a step or three of trial and error.

[HyrdoDoc]

Thanks for your thoughts, gents. I'm now leaning towards an 8'6 to 9' "all rounder" longboard, high volume, 22 to 23 width, 3" or so in thickness. The Walden Magic X2 in 9' carries a volume of 70L while the Stewart Redline 11 suggests a beginner use a 23.5" W , 3 1/8" thick board at 9'. That's probably at least 80L. The Stewart Hydrohull, touted as their #1 selling board, also looks great. All appear quite similar and I'm not sure as a novice, I'd appreciate the differences. All claim to be best selling all around LB's. Any thoughts on quality of these brands, Walden and Stewart? I know they're both mass produced, but there are pop-outs that stay true to the shaper's design and expectations on quality. I've ignored a few brands like Torq, Bic, and even Modern, because I've heard they're kind of at the bottom in that regard.

I have a few local shapers who could do a longboard, but none in EPS. Local shop recommended a custom board when "you're no longer a kook and know wtf you need", lol. Until then, a well rated board at a good price would seem to me to be a good value.

[waikikikichan]

All appear quite similar and I'm not sure as a novice, I'd appreciate the differences.

Mostly ankle to thigh high rolling, sloppy East Coast sliders, beach-break.

So you're a beginner/novice in waves that aren't high performance.

I've ignored a few brands like Torq, Bic, and even Modern, because I've heard they're kind of at the bottom in that regard.

And where in REGARDS to you level in surfing and the waves you surf in ? ........ closer to the bottom or nearer to the top ( high performance )

You seems to mesmerized by marketing. A high end big name board must mean high(er) performance, right ? What if someone sanded off all the logo / markings on the Torq or NSP and you went surf on it. I bet you'll have a great time. Again in the end, it's the Indian not the Arrow. But if you feel more confident riding a board you paid a few hundred dollars more for, than that's cool.

By the way, where do you think that molded epoxy Stewart Hydrohull is made in comparison to where those "bottom end" boards are ?

[Big H]

Personally I'd buy a used longboard and just surf it. From what you describe pretty much anything will do.

BTW, a lot of people here rate the Torq's and the NSP's.....I have personally had a south point mini Mal and that was fine as well.

[Oldie]

Forget performance. Anything long and wide will do, and the Redline11 with its narrow pin nail will probably not even be good for very small, weak waves (it certainly does not have 80 liters - just ask Stewart). None of the popouts is a really beatuiful object. If you want that, order a custom board jfrom your local shapers (they are hapyp to work with all levels of surfers) and you will pay not more than for a Walden or Surftech Board. But all of the popouts will do fine, and NSP and Torq are ridden by many good surfers.

If you have a good 2nd hand market, go for a used allround longboard in epoxy, traditionally glassed with generous proportions (i.e. 9ft x 23+ x 3+) with a wide nose and tail. If you are happy to spend the money needed for a Stewart/Walden, go to a local shaper.

[HyrdoDoc]

Thanks for the feedback. There are really only a few places where I can learn about what choices are appropriate for me, that's here in a community of surfers, from the manufacturer's websites, and from the local shops. The local shop's recommendations have spanned from a low volume 6'6" fish to 10 foot log, all "perfect" for me. Different salesmen, totally different answers. As for being mesmerized by brands, I personally know nothing of them other than what I read on this and a couple other sites. Brand X being defended as "good as any other" and "good enough for a kook", then trashed one thread over as being a waste of good money and good for laughs. So I rely on the counsel of others who know far more than I do about quality. Given the chance at spending $499 here for an entry level board or $799 for something considered to be of superior quality, I'd not consider the performance as much as it's durability and whether it's something I would continue to enjoy if my skills change. I have nothing at all against the idea of popouts. Rolex is a popout. But I'm sure their quality spans the gamut. Anyway, I spoke to a local shop owner who said given the conditions we face, an 8ft to 8'6" high volume mini-mal would be an excellent all-rounder. A few locals on the beach have said the Modern Double Wides and Walden Mega Magic have an excellent combination of ease of paddling with responsiveness that beats a log. I'm going to try to rent one or the other and get a feel for it. Maybe I can get a local shaper to mimic the general dimensions if I like them. Thanks

[oldmansurfer]

Board design is not rocket science. It's a lot of by guess and by golly. There is great variation in waves and surfers and no great way to measure that in any meaningful way to board design. Board design itself has so many variables and there is no research going into what it all means so the seller is left to advertise as they wish about what the board does or doesn't do. Surfers are on the whole a superstitious bunch maybe because instead of school they went surfing. One board is a dud to one surfer and the best board in the world to some other surfer.....It's not rocket science Trying out a board is a good way to see if it fits your skill and the waves you surf. Local shapers (good ones) have an idea what works locally and what doesn't so contacting them would be a good starting point. Whatever your choices are there are likely mistakes going to be made but that is ok you can most likely learn to surf a variety of boards with time and dedication and some athletic skill. I think it sounds like you want a durable board that will last for a long time so epoxy boards are probably what you want around 8'2" to 8'6" and other than that maybe leave it to a local shaper. or just take you chances with a name brand board which you can try out before you purchase.

[HyrdoDoc]

Thanks for the reply, Oldman Proner. I hear you about a variety of opinions and that what works for one doesn't work for the next. I've always been a bit OCD about a major purchase and can well remember spending hours trying to judge between Ford, Chevy, GMC, etc. when I got my truck. The field I practice is also half art, half science, so I'm always thinking there is a "right treatment and a wrong one". Not so in this case, it seems. I've learned a good deal lately about the differences between molded, CNC shaped, hand shaped, hand finished, etc. As was rightly pointed out here, I'd be hard pressed to tell one from the other. Anyways, after fair reflection, I'm shooting for an 8' to 9', epoxy, higher volume, durable board. That leaves me some great choices. I appreciate the distinctions made by the posters here, yourself included. I'm headed to the shop in Long Beach this weekend, and I'll likely make a choice so more of the season doesn't pass me by. Amazing that after decades, I'm back out there. 8 yrs of being in the lineup followed by 44 years dreaming about it. Cheers! Doc

[oldmansurfer]

Trying out boards is good for your current skill level but not for what you will be in the future. I used to surf long ago and quit for 12 years and restarted using a 9'6" gun and then a 9'6" longboard. When I got to where I could feel the weight of the nose of the board as I whipped it through various turns I decided it was time to go shorter and contacted a local shaper who was good at making Oldman boards. I had surfed a fish design he had made that my neighbor let me borrow for a few weeks. I talked to him told him what my abilities were and what I wanted to do and that I wanted a shorter board than 9'6". He made me an 8 foot fungun. It looked great I waxed it up and took it to the beach and when I first tried to lay on it I rolled off the side. It was way less stable than the longboard I had been using prior. I found I couldn't even sit on it and would fall over sideways or have the board squirt out from under me. I was so worried I ordered a longer funboard but before it came in I had gotten used to that board and more than 5 years later it's still my favorite board and I never use the bigger board.

[HyrdoDoc]

Thanks for sharing that story, Proner. There's wisdom there. I hear you about getting something that challenges me a bit and growing into it. Couple of guys have said to me easy is better. Go long, like 9' and up. Ride the nose, walk, style it. I kind of prefer those who recommended shorter. Floaty, wide, and shorter they say, so you'll get a lively board you can grow into. I'm hoping my choice, whatever board it is, will serve me well in my quiver if, and it's a hopeful if, I progress to something else. Hard to believe I lived a block from a point break and surfed most days in a week for yrs. Now I'm a beginner again. Kinda sucks but times change, life changes, I've changed. I'll never be the surfer I was at 18, but at least I can still get out there. You know I raced competitive motocross too but never once dreamed about it. For at least a decade, I'd dream I was sitting on my board..rising and falling with the waves. Felt spiritual. BTW, your favorite board brings the Rusty Moby Fish (7' to 9') to mind. Much narrower than a mini-mal, but probably hugely different. Speaking of Rusty, what I'd give to have kept my Rusty hand-shaped Canyon 6'6" thruster. A thing of beauty she was. More versatile than my 6' box fin, lightning fast compared to a 10' log I acquired. My own favorite board. I gave it away when I got married. Oh the sacrifices. Cheers, Doc

[Tudeo]

I've used my Firewire Submoon 8'2 a lot lately, and I change boards frequently to keep the feeling fresh. Normally I change to my smaller boards, like a Firewire Addvance 6'6, with no problems. But yesterday I choose my 9'2 PU longboard for some reason and was shocked how big and sluggish it felt compared to the Submoon.

On this longboard I've had great sessions so I know there's nothing wrong with it. But just the 1 foot increase in length and maybe the (bit) heavier weight did me in. Now I know if I give it some time and some more surfs, I'll find my way around this board again. It's crucial where to position yourself on the board when paddling for the wave in relation to the wave's shape/size.

But what I wanted to ad to ur search for the right board is the big difference in handling in the line-up between a 8'2 or a 9'2. It's so much more easy to turn the 8'2 around to put urself in the right position for a wave.

But in surfing every advantage has its disadvantage, the SM has a lot of rocker so is considered a relatively slow paddler. But I must say for my 6ft/165lbs it paddles just fine, based on my experience yesterday I would say it paddles better then my 9'2. But it was a choppy day, that's a huge influence on padling. Actually I took the 9'2 that day for it's heavy pu build to counter the choppy conditions..

[Big H]

As far as "progressing" goes....I recently added a 10'4" noserider to the quiver.... the third longboard in the quiver and 1'2" longer than the other two. It is harder to handle than the other two, big to spin, harder to fit into a wave if not fat....not an "easy" board but it has a specific application (nose riding) and on the right kind of waves makes learning what goes into that easier than on the other boards.

Shorter is not necessarily the path to progression....depends on your goals.

[saltydog]

NSP or Torq would probably work just fine. Meanwhile, I can sort of compare walden's 8'6 magic to 8' mega magic. I used to have an 8' mini tanker about at least 23" wide and 3"thick, round nose, square tail, and flat locker. Also I still have an 8'6 mini longboard with 21 1/2" width and 3" thickness, similar locker and bottom contour to magic including the bevel. In terms of paddle ease, they are pretty close but maybe 8'6 is a tad easier because it's not too wide for my shoulder width. 8' really flew down the line fast and worked so well with an 8" greenough 4a single fin. I'd say it was somewhat more responsive to my input because my back foot was closer to the tail due to being shorter but the flat locker and wider tail made it a wee bit more challenging at a take off. So overall, 8'6 is more an allrounder to me... more potential to do as my skill improves, and in various conditions. I'm not sure if mega magic has a similar locker profile to the original magic, but if it's flatter personally I'd go with the 8'6 magic (or something similar) as a go to board. You are not that heavy at all so I don't know if you need all that thickness or the width of a mega magic, while having more surface area from a longer board makes it easier to paddle.

I've seen a guy ride a longer water hog at my lineup often enough and while it seems like a nice board it didn't seem to have the kind of glide a typical longboard has and he often didn't make the sections (and he was more skilled than me) while my 9' log consistently made them, so if you are looking for a small wave board that might not be the best choice. Plus water hog may only come as a thruster setup. If you are after smooth, large arc turns then you'd probably want to have an option of riding single, so walden or some of stewart (redline?) with 2+1 set-up seems pretty versatile.

But really, if you ever come across a deal on a longboard used, popout, or both, jump on it. You'd probably enjoy the ride more than the foamie you currently have, and meanwhile you can always demo and buy a new board from a shop then sell the beater. Or keep it as a backup, or for your friends and families.

[Oldie]

....I've seen a guy ride a longer water hog at my lineup often enough and while it seems like a nice board it didn't seem to have the kind of glide a typical longboard has and he often didn't make the sections (and he was more skilled than me) while my 9' log consistently made them, so if you are looking for a small wave board that might not be the best choice. Plus water hog may only come as a thruster setup. If you are after smooth, large arc turns then you'd probably want to have an option of riding single, so walden or some of stewart (redline?) with 2+1 set-up seems pretty versatile.

Interesting that you observed that, as it is the reason I posted THIS

[HyrdoDoc]

So much food for thought. Enjoying the many opinions given and appreciate your particular experiences with your boards. Any thoughts on something of a very different shape? Here's something fairly long, large surface area, and high volume for its class. The Rusty Moby Fish, touted as "Fantastic for Beginners". Would this be appropriate for 1-3ft waves? It's available from 6' to 8'6".
http://www.rustysurfboards.com/moby-fish/

[Tudeo]

Nice board, the 8'0, 68L would be good for ur 160lbs, plenty lenght and volume.