Ok guys i haven't posted on the SUP forums before, but have been on seabreaze for a while. I'm a kiteboarder looking for a board to suit me for just some flat water cruising/fishing and occasionally taking the kids out. There is no surf where i live and don't expect to use the board for that. I have tried a lot of different boards, jimmy lewis, 7s, walden, starboard and NSP. I liked the glide on the 11ft NSP but it wasnt as stable as the 10ft starboard which i liked but it seemed to sink a little. I weigh 100kg.

So i have narrowed my choices down to either the starboard avanti or fisherman or the 11'6 NSP. I haven't actually ridden any of these particular boards in these sizes but think all would be ok. Has any one tried any of these boards that can comment?

I think the main things i am after is stability especially for fishing so are leaning towards the wider boards.

I don't know much about the Starboards but I have paddled the NSP's and the 11'6" would be my pick.. maybe even the 11' because it's very stable.. I wonder if the 11' NSP that you tried was the old 11' tandem Mal?. The big 11'6" Naish Nalu is one worth checking out and the AST version is a great price.. That Starboard Fisherman board is waaaay wide.. Like 37" wide.. You'd have to walk from side to side to reach the water with your paddle.. Just kidding.. .. It might be great for paddling with one or two kids on board.

DJ

I think the 11.6 Nsp would also be hard to go past and they are great value for money and tough as nails. An older model Naish 11.6 would also be great if you can find one. I think you will find you can get an nsp/paddle package for a pretty good price if you ring around. And if you ever do venture into the surf the nsp is a pretty fun board to surf as well.

I think the small starboard whopper i used was 10ft by 34, and i really liked the extra stability i don't think a extra 2-3inches of width would hinder me i am a bit top heavy little chicken legs and wide shoulders. I'm fairly sure the NSP i used was near new purchased last season. But i might give it another go. I don't think my firs sup will be my last, my wife enjoyed it as well so will probably end up with another smaller board at some stage, one that could be used in the surf on that odd occasion we head down to the west coast.

What paddles are good for all-round? I used a starboard enduro, one of the smaller ones i think, and starboard surf one 525 was a little bigger but felt good. Both paddles were full CF. My knowledge of paddles is limited as i have only tried the one brand. any advice will be helpful

If the primary use for the board is flatwater then the whopper in my opinion is a very slow board to paddle due to its increased rocker (made for surfing only) it will also mean you will be changing sides when paddling every half a dozen strokes or less as compared to a flatter board which will track much much better and be a lot more relaxing and require far less changing sides with the paddle. The whopper is a very stable board made for surfing and is very good at what it was made for. There are many other boards that are good paddlers and are stable and also surf well.

I'm about the same wieght bro anduse the PSH 9'6 WAA and the PSH 12' Gun...both have excellent stability...the 9'6 being much harder work but bigger rewards........

I have decided i'm going to get the starboard avanti, i know it's not going to be a fast board but will let me get out there do a bit of fishing and get to know suping a bit better. I spent a fair amount of time talking to the local dealer and he agreed it would be a good first board for what i want. It definitely wont be my first and last board. But i'm hoping that after a while on it i will know which way to go for the next board, smaller narrower faster or something for surf. They do seem to take up a lot of room in the shed, im going to have to build a rack for it to lay flat, so i may as well make it big enough to hold a dozen boards

Any way im stoked at the moment waiting for it to turn up, can wait. Thanks to everyone that sent PM's and replied on the forum all of your advice was appreciated.