OK, so I'm getting old.
I'm 48, I've been riding a 5'6 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8 28 liter Hypto for last few years (which I love) but on days like the recent swell we've been getting where it's big, windy and barreling (6-8' 20mph off shore, shallow beach break), I need something bigger. Craig Anderson can do it at Kandui, but apparently I can't on Long Island. Want to get in earlier and have some more paddle power without adding a ton of thickness.
I got a 5'10 x 19 1/2 x 2 3/8 29 liter Super PigDog off a friend which would seem like the perfect alt board step up, short, wide thick with a pulled in pin. But in actuality, the tail is a little too pulled in and it's kinda stiff and linear. I also have an old 6'8 x 18 3/4 x 2 1/4 Aloha rounded pin from the late (or maybe mid 90s) with rocker to match. I pull out once every few years and today was one of those days. Was great for getting in to waves but really a 6'8 feels way too big.
So what do you guys think? One thought was a standard 6'1-6'3 thruster, maybe a little wider than normal. Either a round tail or rounded squash, not too narrow.
Or is there anything people are using that's more alternative-y that I should consider. Basically when it's big and gnarly here, I need some more length and paddle power but not necessarily more foam.
Also there are no local shapers that I want to deal with so I'm gonna buy some big brand off the rack. There are Losts, Pyzel, Firewires, Roberts and JS's around (and Merricks but I'm not a fan). Could order a custom but my history with customs sucks and I'd rather pick something up and fondle it before I buy. Been burned by customs too many times.
Open to suggestions/thoughts/ideas.
I'm 48, I've been riding a 5'6 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8 28 liter Hypto for last few years (which I love) but on days like the recent swell we've been getting where it's big, windy and barreling (6-8' 20mph off shore, shallow beach break), I need something bigger. Craig Anderson can do it at Kandui, but apparently I can't on Long Island. Want to get in earlier and have some more paddle power without adding a ton of thickness.
I got a 5'10 x 19 1/2 x 2 3/8 29 liter Super PigDog off a friend which would seem like the perfect alt board step up, short, wide thick with a pulled in pin. But in actuality, the tail is a little too pulled in and it's kinda stiff and linear. I also have an old 6'8 x 18 3/4 x 2 1/4 Aloha rounded pin from the late (or maybe mid 90s) with rocker to match. I pull out once every few years and today was one of those days. Was great for getting in to waves but really a 6'8 feels way too big.
So what do you guys think? One thought was a standard 6'1-6'3 thruster, maybe a little wider than normal. Either a round tail or rounded squash, not too narrow.
Or is there anything people are using that's more alternative-y that I should consider. Basically when it's big and gnarly here, I need some more length and paddle power but not necessarily more foam.
Also there are no local shapers that I want to deal with so I'm gonna buy some big brand off the rack. There are Losts, Pyzel, Firewires, Roberts and JS's around (and Merricks but I'm not a fan). Could order a custom but my history with customs sucks and I'd rather pick something up and fondle it before I buy. Been burned by customs too many times.
Open to suggestions/thoughts/ideas.