Is a compromise bad on longboards?

[greypump]

Been scouting around longboards and keep coming back to the question on whether a compromise on longboard design is a bad or good thing. Ideally you could have a board for each type of surf but in reality if the budget is tight then perhaps not.

Do I need to choose noserider or cruiser or is one of the all rounders or performance noseriders going to give me a bit of each....but then will the board never be great at one thing or another?

I can go out testing as I'm not near shapers so need to go the recommendation of others really.

[justloafing]

Are you just starting out surfing?

If so a good all around board will suite you well. Just because it is an "all arounder" does not mean you can't get to the nose. A noserider maybe a little difficult to start with but IMO you can do it with a little more effort and a bit more time. Just looking back what I started out with (Infinity Nose Rider). Compare that to what I a;so have now ("all arounder"). I would have definitely chose the "all arounder".

[oldgrom]

If I had to chose one only,,, have to agree with justloafing on the all arounder choice (hence it's name) will suit more use than outher boards.

[greypump]

Care to name any proven all rounders? Keep on hearing abou the McTavish Fireball for example