To be clear I’m comparing a 5’9 x 20 x 2.30 to a 5’10 x 19.5 x 2.28Longer boards even with more rocker are going to paddle better-in general. hydrodynamics principle support that. obvioulsy there are exceptions to everything. over the years, none of my short-stubby boards have paddled from point A to B as well as my HPSB. but they certainly plane better once up and riding.
the latter was the better paddler, the former still got into waves better.