Been paddling for about a year now on a 12' hobie and looking for another board a bit more suitable for surf. Will still be a lot of flat stuff and carting 20 kg kids around though.

Demo'd the 10'6" Nalu a few weeks ago and was stand out of the boards I tried. Having since had a look at the specs and reviews I think the 11' may be better suited to my 6'4 93kegs.

Now tossing up the gs/gt and trying to figure if the gt warrants the extra dosh in my circumstance. Can anyone confirm if the 11' gt has ability to be fitted with thruster fins? If it can, would this make much difference for a newby on a longboard style sup?

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MvsL said..
Been paddling for about a year now on a 12' hobie and looking for another board a bit more suitable for surf. Will still be a lot of flat stuff and carting 20 kg kids around though.

Demo'd the 10'6" Nalu a few weeks ago and was stand out of the boards I tried. Having since had a look at the specs and reviews I think the 11' may be better suited to my 6'4 93kegs.

Now tossing up the gs/gt and trying to figure if the gt warrants the extra dosh in my circumstance. Can anyone confirm if the 11' gt has ability to be fitted with thruster fins? If it can, would this make much difference for a newby on a longboard style sup?

I'm your hight and weight.. IMO the 11' Nalu is the best choice over the 10'6'' Nalu..

I have the GT [with thruster fins].. and the GS does not have the thruster fins.. IMO they don't make much difference..

If you pause this vid at the 30 sec mark you will notice that Robby is running his GT as a single fin..

I have an 11 4 which is the same board as the one Robbie is using I think....doesn't look like the new 11ft which isn't as thinned out. I ride the 11 4 as a single ....a board that size works best as a single IMHO.

The 11ft Nalu GS is a single fin,the GT version is a 3 fin set up ,FCS side boxes and a standard fin box centre.So you can set up as a single or three fin.If you don't have any prior experience fin set ups aren't going mean much to you,as you have nothing to compare to.A lot of guys run the 10'6" as a single fin and presume the same would apply to the 11ft version.That type of board is suited to the old school longboard style so the single fin goes along with that .My thoughts are that the 11ft probably would be better for you at your height ,weight and level of experience.It is about an inch wider and has more volume.The question is do you spend the extra $500 and get the GT ,better deck grip ,3 fin set up , and lighter.Or get the Gs Single fin only and heavier ,but not that much.If you can afford it get the GT,if not The GS will do the job,and spend the money on a quality paddle.

Thanks for all the quick feedback. Was sort of hoping they both ran one fin to make gs decision easier...better deck grip too you say...i struggle with decisions.

Hi MvsL,

I was faced with the same decision you are facing about 6 weeks ago. I agree with what all the above knowledgable people say. I chose the GS basically because I didn't really see that I would notice the benefits of the GS.
Thruster set up- Slow me down on flat water and not really going to effect my surfing (I should add that this is my 1st SUP and I was a pretty average prone surfer as well)
GT being Lighter- I am very strong. Again haven't used anything else so don't notice it. Plus are you really going to notice the difference in the style of surfing that this board is designed for.
Deck grip- This must be the reason I come off so much in the surf. The GT has better deck grip. I wouldn't notice the difference.

Anyway, there you have my $2 worth. I rode both didn't notice a difference, so went with the GS and paddle upgrade and spent the left over on beer.
Either way you're a winner because both are awesome boards.
Goodluck

For my 2 cents worth, you might also consider the 11'4. IMHO the 11' doesnt paddle that well on flat water its just got that rocker and seems to push a bit more water, great on a wave and great to surf on the nose, and yes you could paddle the 11' flat water but the 11'4 would do it better.

I sold the 11'4 to buy the 11' as I wanted it for surf, have other options for flat water.

Peraonally just to confuse you more I like the GT deck grip with the GS fin as a single

I should have said...I have the GT 11 4......wanted it as light as I can as I don't want a heavy board...not that the GS is overly heavy or anything .....I just prefer the board to be as light as possible as I have a fairly long walk in when the tide is out. Plus anything that helps prevent any back stress when lifting is good for me. Looks better too...but that isn't the reason I got the GT...I got a good deal on it so was a no brainier.....and pleased I had the lighter version. It comes down to cash at the end of the day and what is Important to you.

The 11 4 is a brilliant all round SUP.......timeless design. The 11 ft Nalu will also be a fun board in the surf but I have no idea why they went bigger to 31 inches wide......just not needed.....at 30 wide and 11 ft long it would have been plenty stable and better to surf. Too much volume in the 11 fter.....just my opinion.

The deck grip on the GS looks a little slippery .Anyone find that, and if so what is the solution apart from buying the GT or replacing the pad?May be a little off topic but might help a buyer to decide between the two.Yeah I know wax it

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waxer said..
The deck grip on the GS looks a little slippery .Anyone find that, and if so what is the solution apart from buying the GT or replacing the pad?May be a little off topic but might help a buyer to decide between the two.Yeah I know wax it

Wax it I putvwax on all my SUPs for surfing....

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LordKuz said...
If I may ask.... was there a reason that you did not consider another Hobie? Such as something about your 12 footer that made you move away from the brand?http://www.hobiesup.com.au/about/atr-ll-series/10-atr-ii/

No problem with hobie, just not many options to try or buy in Syd since the local dealers went broke. I quite like the 12 atr as all purpose board but have found it a bit of a barge in the surf. Have not seen a board with a deck grip near as nice as the hobie yet. It's like deep shag pile.

Waxer; if the deck grip is the same type that goes on the 2015 mana's then NO problems with grip.