Longboard Length - Pearson Arrow F1

[anticoriolis]

Board length question - know there are a lot of variables here.... I'm 6'0" ~190lbs, I've been on a 7'6" Vernor hybrid funboard (http://vernorsurfboards.com/images/boar ... hybrid.jpg) for 2 years and like it but my wave count isn't great on the smaller days out here in OB / Pacifica / Bolinas. I borrowed a friend's 9'2" Meyerhoffer (weird board shape and kinda thin, http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/sports/ ... d-20120619) and found myself catching EVERYTHING and was stoked... so I'm in the market for a longboard.

Think I've settled on a pearson arrow F1 (http://www.arrowsurfshop.com/#!product/ ... -one-model), but I need to figure out length... the guy in the shop was pushing me toward 9'0" but I want a balance of fast paddling into small waves but not huge turns. SO - I'm curious how much of a difference I'm going to see between 9'0, 9'4" and 9'6"... for my height / weight 9'4" sounds like a sweet spot but tough to know.

Anybody have thoughts? Or should I just pick the one in the middle and pull the trigger? Thanks!

[Jester]

9'0 is plenty big.. You'd probably survive fine on an 8'0!! Have you tried any out from friends, shops, rentals?

[anticoriolis]

I ended up buying a 9'0" Roger Hinds (cheaper) and it's amazing. Super stoked! Thanks for weighing in though Jester, I'm with you... shorter even could have worked, but on the small / sloppy days I'm glad to have the length.

[Jester]

Heheh it comes in handy!! was just looking at my 8'4 before I went to bed and going "daaamn that's big" lol.. Never seems like that out in the water though does it!

Glad you got a good stick, best fun ever no matter what size is cruising along those waves, love the glide of a bigger board!

[jaffa1949]

Uncle Jaffa is a 200lber and 9 is fine
when you go down the line.
They're easy to turn
with trim speed to burn,
and elegant cross steps
are something you'll learn.
there won't be duck diving
with turtles you're jiving.
some people go small
but with length you'll stand tall
and not look hunched nor odd.
You'll look like bronzed island God

[beachbumuk]

Waveless day was it Unc?

I love my longboards as we only get small stuff where I am, then I break out the Fish

But the turn is heavily to do with fins and placement...please correct me if I am wrong. So if you got a 2+1 you can have all kinds of fun

[jaffa1949]

No February has been good for surf, so not bored at all.
I just like to have a play with answers because the newbies ask the same questions over and over.
I try to be reasonable respectfully of their unknowing newbiness occasionally someone presents a chance for me to play.

I write books of poetry and stories for children, so easy stuff to cobble something together for a newbie.

Fins and placement of them are aids to your turning ability, so yes!
Take on turning is also about weighting and unweighting feet and pushing power through your feet and foot placement to drive a turn.
Short boards were designed to put all the foot controls at the one point on the board, length you can do stuff at different positions ( just need an adjusted technique at each position).
The track from a turn differs with the number of fins Multifins are more forgiving for lack of technique in harder turns.
Skill up and try single, easier to paddle and different arcs to see.