Hi Guys, I have had a 9'5" Naish Mana for about 12 years and have pretty much only used it in the surf at point breaks. I want to down size a bit because it feels like a tank but I'm not sure what size to go? I'm a fit 50 year old, about 82kgs with reasonable ability. I bought a 8' AK Shapes SUP and can paddle it in flat water but am hopeless in the surf on it because it is so tippy. I've seen a couple of nice boards on marketplace but don't want to get something too small again. Im tossing up between a 8'6" Atlantis VEX 2 but don't want it to be too small, or the 9' Atlantis VEX 2 but don't want it too feel too big. I am also considering the 8'10" Evoke or a 6'10" Bam Bam.. I wish I could demo them all to find my sweet spot between too big and too small. I'm looking for a decent used board for up to around $600.. Any advice will be much appreciated.
How wide is the 8' AK Shapes SUP? If you can paddle it on the flat, then with enough time and practice it is possible to master it. It just depends on whether you believe it will be worth it.
Hi Seb, thanks for the reply. I bit the bullet and bought the 8'6 Atlantis Vex 2 and the 6'10 Atlantis Bam Bam. Looking forward to giving them a test this weekend.
I recently bought a 7"6' BamBam, I'm 92kg.
Love it for smaller wave and when its not choppy.
I ended up putting a little trailer fin in the centre FCS box as the tail would bounce out as soon as I got good water flow over the fins, not sure if it'll work yet as haven't had a chance to test it.
Once you stand up on the board it is really stable, a little bit more work getting through the surf than my Naish but once up on a wave it turns really sharp and is much more agile than the Naish.
Sorry for short reply but if you buy something 29"-30" wide with a ratio of weight x 1.3-1.5 you will be fine with a bit of work. Get out 2-3 times a week in all conditions and you will get there. If you have the time and motivation go 1.3 if you don't then work on 1.5. Anything bigger and you will be buying again soon assuming you're committed to making it happen. Choose the shape that meets your style and practice.
