New board question

[the mac]

hi all

i'm a holiday surfer, have been surfing about three years but only for four or five weeks a year.

my first board was a circle one epoxy 6'11" swallow tail, 2 1/2" thick and 21" wide. took it to bali for a month last year, didn't find it that easy to catch waves with (don't have great paddle fitness cos I don't surf all that regularly) but was doing ok by the end. board is pretty much written off now though, as a result of travel dings and bad on-the-go repairs.

am looking to buy something new, but having trouble deciding what to get. have thought about going longer - getting a 7'6" mini mal or the like - just so it's easier to catch waves, I can spend more time cruising and less paddling around. but have tried the standard hire boards at that sort of length (NSPs etc) and been a bit frustrated with how slow they turn.

anyone got any ideas for a good new board?

thanks,
m