Review 9’6’’ Mctavish SUP
Conditions: Shoulder high and glassy
Other boards: Naish 11’4’’ and Starboard 8’5’’ Pocket Rocket
Experience: 1,5 years , 3-4 times per week out in waves between chest and double overhead
Weight: 170pds.
Length: 6’0’’
I started paddle boarding a year and a half ago on the 11’4’’ , a very stable board to learn paddle surfing with, but quickly wanted something that would give me more of a surf feeling on the waves. Bought a 8’5’’ Pocket Rocket and went out a few times, however it lacked paddle power and glide, so I quickly went back to the 11’4 and I started looking for a good all-round board.
Did my research on the web and talked to a few people who pointed me to the 9’6’’ McTavish.
Board comes with 2+1 fins and a quad fin set-up. I went out with the 3 fin setup.
Initially I had my doubts about the grip of the EVA pad, but after it gets wet and your feet are on it for a few minutes it feel very grippy whilst still providing good contact and feel with the board. Whilst paddling the board is very stable, very close to the stability of the much bigger 11’4’’, it also does a good job in paddling in a straight line, something my 8’5’’ didn’t do.
First waves: wow. Board catches waves easily and surfs superb as I’d expected from a McTavish surfboard. Caught some 50+ waves in the session and with every ride I got to love the board more and more. The board turns very easily on the waves, but doesn’t feel nervous, I always felt in control of the board.
This definitely feels like the one board that will suit me well in all conditions.
Tomorrow I am going to try the quad set up see how much difference that makes, and I can post feedback on here if people are interested.
If you are around Cabarete in the Dominican Republic and want to give this board a try, contact me and take it for a spin.
Thanks for the review SwellSC, very good. Please post again after you have tried the quad setup as lots of people are interested in quads for paddle boards.
Took it out as a quad this morning, but the waves were too small to really tell, in a few days there will be a head high swell, so I'll post an update then.
I thought the Quad Set-Up on my board (not a McTavish) definitely made it looser, but gave the board a little less drive. I have no preference either way. Fun either way !! Extra drive is better for some moves, and looseness is better for others !! .... 
I have been testing the different fin set ups, and this morning I took the McT out as a single fin set up, waves were head high and super glassy.
I don't know if it was because of the single fin set up but it was my SUP session ever, the board felt loose and very very fast .
