Guys,
After a bit of advise. Trying to decide between buying the 8'10 (130L) or 9'2 (148L) Sunova Speed. I am 6'2 and about 95kg with average surfing skill. I am dropping down from a 10'2 (170L) JP Fusion. I have demo'ed the 8'10 and the 9'5 (160L), found the 9'5 a lot more stable standing out the back in the chop than the 8'10. But on the wave the 8'10 was fantastic to surf.
I guess my question is, is it worth dropping down and being uncomfortable on the 8'10 when in wind and chop or go the higher volume board with more stability and take the slight loss of performance on the wave?
In your experience how long does it take to get comfortable to such a big drop (~40L)?
Appreciate any advise.
I'm 6.1 and 88 KG and have a 9.2, I'm more than happy with it, it does everything everyone wrote and more for me.
The speeed is a high performance sup and you have to get used to the low volume rails. So it all comes down to, where do you surf and how clean is it.
In my case, its almost never clean, so I'm glad I went for 9.2. So if you want to play it safe, 9.2 the performance wil be very good for sure.
If you surf everyday you'll get used to it very quickly. Go and practice some pivot turns in flat water as well. If you're a weekend warrior there is bugger all difference between an 8'10" and a 9'2" it depends on rail shape and litreage. If you're young enough and have no injuries give long boarding a go!! I was out today with ten summertime suppers all of whom went straight in when they caught the wave, blatantly dropped in whilst looking at us supping along the face towards them and were all around 30 years old as opposed to 57 and 58 with about 100 years surfing experience between us. By your description go for something in the 9'5" and 160 litre range. If you really want to surf get a McTavish 9'1" Fireball long board or a 7'8" Starboard Sunova/Fanatic/ Naish performance SUP. Look at what Dave Kalama and all the other guys are doing on their 10 ft SUPs. The rider is 90% of the performance not the board. At the moment 95% of the boards for sale on Seabreeze seem to be under 9'0" ft. Good luck and have fun and stay on top of the water not in it 
.
BTW have a look on Stand Up Zone (or google it) and check who won best SUP company/manufacturer in Hawaii 2015.
I've got an 8'10" Speeed. I progressed from a Fanatic 9'5" x 32.5" Allwave 170L to an Evoke 8'10" x 32" 148L and then to the Speeed. I'm 85kg and average surf ability. I really love the Speeed but I am now riding a JP pro fusion 8'5" x 30". I actually have the Speeed for sale but I think it's a big jump to go straight there from your current board and your weight. It might get a bit too frustrating in choppy water while you are in the process of getting adjusted to it.
dugdeep..... it sounds to me, that you would be very happy on the 9'2 Speeed.
At your height, you will appreciate the extra inch in width, and the extra 18 liters. (there is a big difference)
Your height will more than compensate for the extra width, when surfing it.
I am 66, 5'11 and 100 kg
In summer ALL I ride is my 8'10 Speeed, even in wetsuit.... I find it very easy in most conditions...
BUT when boots and gloves go on, wetsuit gets thicker.....the 8'10 is too much work, so I go bigger
In winter gear, I have a 9'5 Speeed and I am really happy with it.
The 9'5 is super easy and surfs great, but almost too easy.... I would like to swap it out for a 9'2 as my winter board.
Here's a video I took of my buddy riding the 9'2.
He is a big, strong man and is very comfortable on it.
The good news is.... you have tried the big and small..... the 9'2 should be the happy medium, without giving up surfability.
I am 6'3" and 90 kg and have the 8'10" Speeed. I got there via a 9'5" x 32" widepoint and 8'8" Naish X32 but now find the Speeed very stable - but I have been surf supping for a couple of years and get out quite frequently.
So, if you think you will get out frequently and love surfing and don't have to deal with choppy conditions and are reasonably fit, go for the 8'10". Otherwise you'll be happier on the 9'2".
I'm 73kg and recently made 40+ ltr drop to the 8'10. My dilemma was should I go shorter than the 8'10. I have been advised by some that I will wish that I had gone shorter. I've been out maybe 10 times on it so far, and have zero regrets going with the bigger option. It's nice to have a little extra volume to make it easier to get in early, and it's still crazy easy to turn compared to my previous board.
Since you get out frequently, you're probably pretty good at getting on the tail when you need to throw the board around like it was nothing. I think the 9'2" would be perfect for you.
Thanks very much for the feedback guys. Think I will take the advise and stick to the 9'2 at least for the next season or so.
Great vid STC, my biggest concern was loosing the maneuverability on the wave.
Thanks again.
Select to expand quoteLeroy13 said...
If you surf everyday you'll get used to it very quickly. Go and practice some pivot turns in flat water as well. If you're a weekend warrior there is bugger all difference between an 8'10" and a 9'2" it depends on rail shape and litreage. If you're young enough and have no injuries give long boarding a go!! I was out today with ten summertime suppers all of whom went straight in when they caught the wave, blatantly dropped in whilst looking at us supping along the face towards them and were all around 30 years old as opposed to 57 and 58 with about 100 years surfing experience between us. By your description go for something in the 9'5" and 160 litre range. If you really want to surf get a McTavish 9'1" Fireball long board or a 7'8" Starboard Sunova/Fanatic/ Naish performance SUP. Look at what Dave Kalama and all the other guys are doing on their 10 ft SUPs. The rider is 90% of the performance not the board. At the moment 95% of the boards for sale on Seabreeze seem to be under 9'0" ft. Good luck and have fun and stay on top of the water not in it .
BTW have a look on Stand Up Zone (or google it) and check who won best SUP company/manufacturer in Hawaii 2015.
So basically what your saying is that if your young and fit enough you should get used to it very quickly but the young guys out the other day we're all kooks and had no idea and if you really want to surf you should get a longboard instead or a short high performance sup or a long 10ft sup because the length doesn't matter it's all the rider ?
Confused anyone??
There aren't too many surfing boards where I am happy to recommend going up a size. On paper the 8'8 Speed-123L is perfect for me at 90kg.
We never seem to be able to keep an 8'8 long enough to put one in demo so I end up using the 8'10-130L every time I go out.
I rarely regret the extra length and stability that the 8'10 offers. These are a fast and playful board and a few inches will only make a difference if you are really pushing the boundaries of performance. If you want one board to rule-it-all, I would always recommend going a bigger with the Speeed. They are so light and playful that the length/size is less significant for most riders.
9'2 sounds spot on for you JacobMatan 
No excuse me I was just trolling leroy 13 for his confused comment, I have an 8'6 skate that I have barely had a chance to get wet as I have been flat out with work and kiting rules my summers here in Perth, I could definitely see a speed in my future though!!
I'll take your "trolling" on board JacobMatan and try to make it simpler.
My apologies for confusing you! Very good summary of what I was saying however! My answer to your question is yes. then yes , then yes again and finally yes. Good luck with that one .
As to our weekend SUP surf, it was obviously our fault for going out at a place where there was no one out, in tiny wind affected waves and then catching a few dribbles that made it look a whole lot better than it was. Obviously at our age we should stay out of the water and reminisce about what it was like to surf on long boards in the sixties and different types of short boards during the seventies, eighties and nineties and naughties.
Do you really think that a board makes such a huge difference? Watch Dave Rastovich surf incredibly on anything from a fence paling to an old twin fin. Watch the 'Dogman' Roger Saunders rip on anything SUP'. If you really believe what you're saying, buy a Firewire Sci Phi and surf as well as Stu Kennedy is at the moment at Snapper.
Simpler version of my post:
1./If you haven't surfed on a non paddle propelled board and you are relatively young and injury free, have a go at long or short boarding as you might enjoy it .
2./ Learn surf etiquette prior to going in the surf no matter what craft you choose 
.
3./ Any sized SUP can be fun depending on what you want from it, ask any of the guys on this forum
4./ Water time will improve your performance more than any board will although it will obviously contribute. I thought Supping was about fun but what do I know?
I hope that's a bit simpler JM. Hopefully this clarification will prevent me from having to deal with all the confused people. 
Apologies again from a terribly confused old man 
.
PS. Dugdeep listen to STC and the others advocating the 9'2" Sunova they know what they're talking about.
Select to expand quoteAA said..
There aren't too many surfing boards where I am happy to recommend going up a size. On paper the 8'8 Speed-123L is perfect for me at 90kg.
We never seem to be able to keep an 8'8 long enough to put one in demo so I end up using the 8'10-130L every time I go out.
I rarely regret the extra length and stability that the 8'10 offers. These are a fast and playful board and a few inches will only make a difference if you are really pushing the boundaries of performance. If you want one board to rule-it-all, I would always recommend going a bigger with the Speeed. They are so light and playful that the length/size is less significant for most riders.
9'2 sounds spot on for you JacobMatan
Sorry, 9'2 sounds spot on for you - Dugdeep!
Seeking advice from those in the know, looking at the 8'10' but thinking of getting it as a custom single fin. I mainly ride 2-4 foot point breaks that are not steep or very powerful, mainly down the line type riding. Currently on a 10' starboard nose rider. I like the feel of the single fin for both straight line paddling and surf off the tail of the board.
Do you think it would work in a single fin setup?
If you would like to try, play it safe and order two + one, single finbox with the normal fcs plugs for side fins.
That way you can test it and let us know
Dean.... I say try a Speeed first.
They paddle pretty straight because of parallel rails, and are designed to surf off the tail.
Guys,
Again thanks for all the advise. I picked up the 9'2 Speeed this morning and took it out for a first surf.
Great board stable enough while still extremely maneuverable on the wave.
Only issue I had was the front deck grip started to lift in an area about the size of a tennis ball (see photo).
Anyone have any suggestions on sticking it back down?
dugdeep
I am sitting with Tino. He said to use "loctite"
Spread a thin layer under the pad and stick it down.... then put a thin bead along the outer edge.
He said this works perfectly.
The shop will take care of you!
Why fly Sunova....... cause :
www.supboardermag.com/2016/03/14/sup-review-2016-sunova-speeed-85-surf-sup/
Select to expand quotedugdeep said..
Anyone have any suggestions on sticking it back down?
For the glue, use the new "MS Polymer" ones. They are very strong, stay flexible, and humidity helps their curing... The ideal glue for pads.
I use the UHU Max Repair (one of the quickest to cure and stronger in tests), but most brands have now these kind of glue.
See the list of brands at the end of: translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wikidorf.de%2Freintechnisch%2FInhalt%2FMSPolymerKlebstoffe&sandbox=1
You have probably already decided on your size but my experience may help. Im 85kg, experienced surfer, new to Supping. I purchased an 8'8. Have had some awesome surfs in just swell, minimal chop and wind. When the wind gets up and sea becomes choppy the 8'8 feels half the size and I spend more time in the water than on the board. More often than not conditions in my area are choppy and windy. Im trading it in for 9'2 for the extra stability it will give me in the choppy seas. I'm guessing the 9'2 will be a bit less maneuverable on the wave but willing to give up a bit of maneuverability for stability.
