Hi Everyone.

I'm going to give this SUP a go. I'm 140kg and 185cm and need a board to get me up and going.
I'll mainly be using it to cruise around on lakes and rivers. And hopefully my skill level will one day get me onto some waves.
I've been recommended a few boards and narrowed it down to these.

Fanatic Fly 11'2"or the previous 11' model.
Starboard Atlas 12', Atlas Extra or Avanti 11'2"
Atlantis Halo 11'

Price wise I'm leaning towards the Atlantis but it being smaller in volume, I have some concern will it be big enough?

There seems to be a huge range of boards to choice from so I'm after advice for what I should be looking at.

Thanks in advance.

This is what I would recommend to get you started..
Here.. www.naishsurfing.com/product/mana-116-soft-top/

I started SUP slightly taller but only about 5kg lighter than you. My first board was a 12 x 33 Starboard Atlas and is has served me very, very well (I still have it, a few other boards have moved on and off the racks at my place but the Atlas is still there). I've raced it, surfed it (still do on small days), chased bay bumps on it and windsurfed it. If you're anywhere near Melbourne feel free to PM me and try mine, if you haven't otherwise got access to a demo.

The Atlas is SIGNIFICANTLY more stable than the 11'6 Nalu, haven't tried the 11'6 Mana (I might tomorrow) but on paper it looks OK for your purpose. You probably don't need to go the extra width and volume of the Atlas Extra, unless you are seriously balance-challenged. If you were more surf-oriented in your ambitions I'd suggest the Avanti, it is crazy stable and surfs surprisingly well, but if as you say you're mostly about flat water and maybe first ventures into waves, go the Atlas, on the flats you'll welcome the extra length and 3" less width.

I have paddled and surfed the 11'0 and 11'6 Fanatic Fly (haven't tried the 11'2), also good boards for your size but I chose the Atlas over them. Can't comment on the Halo, haven't seen one or paddled one.

I was 130 kg when I started SUP and same height as you.

I found the 11'2 Avanti to be a very easy board.... just get on and go.... zero stability issues at that width, and found it to be an awesome flat-waterboard.
I wish I still had it for all my winter ice escapades', where stability is nice to have.
It also surfed great in all conditions.

I have never tried the Atlas, but I did recently pick up an old Starboard 12'6 x 30 Cruise.
The cruise is much more stable at 30" than any other 30" board I have paddled.... so my guess is, Starboard has figured this out
The Atlas will probably be a slightly faster paddler than the Avanti... but I always loved the glide I got from my Avanti.

Probably can't go wrong with either one of them.... but the Avanti will be the most stable and it was a much easier board to surf than my narrower Cruise.
I love playing in small waves on the Cruise, but mainly because turning it requires soooo much finesse, that the challenge IS the draw.
The curvy hips and tail rocker on the Avanti make it super easy to turn... even in small waves.... it has an amazingly smooth flow to it in waves for such a wide board.

I have generally found that Starboards are more stable than Naish products, (I have owned 4 Naish Nalus and Mana's)

I looked up the Atlantis Halo 11' ..... it is a great price and a nice looking board..... BUT, I think that the combo of less liters and width may be more of a challenge than the Starboards.

See if you can find a used Avanti or Atlas..... they have been around for a long time.... that may help on the cost.

Have fun looking....

sorry.... I misread the stats on the Halo.... I thought it was 31" wide...... at 33" wide, it will be closer to what you need, but still something to consider.

I'm a larger gent myself and i've got, and subsequently vouch for, the Avanti… It got me off of old BIC windsurfers and properly into SUP. It's a really good board for guys our size.

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone.
Will let you know what I come up with.
Cheers