Hello everyone! I'm ready to get my first board, and I'm considering the Red 10'6, a Fanatic Fly, or a Nalu. Can anyone explain the differences between the Naish Nalu 10'6 and 11'4? In what ways do they differ in handling, glide, etc? And the difference between the GT and the GS?
I'll be on lakes and bays mostly, but I might eventually try some small waves.

Thanks for all input!

The GT has the wood finish on the deck and 3 fins, the GS only 1 fin. The 11'4 has a fair bit of rocker and is a well behaved board in surf and paddles OK, but I wouldn't say it 'glides' particularly well... not with my weight anyway. I have the GT version of this. I think you get a board bag thrown in still with the GT. If you're just paddling lakes and bays then 3 fins just adds drag, so you'd probably take 2 out anyway. The 10'6 apparently is a nice board. Sooooo many choices... you've got to get to a shop and try a few.

I know! There are too many to chose from! I wish I could demo some boards, but around here (inland east coast US), the only decent board I can try is the Red. I definitely don't want a strictly flat water board, but I read that the 11'6 has a decent rocker.

Do the Naish boards hold up well? With limited $$, I need something that will last.

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spirit4earth said..

I know! There are too many to chose from! I wish I could demo some boards, but around here (inland east coast US), the only decent board I can try is the Red. I definitely don't want a strictly flat water board, but I read that the 11'6 has a decent rocker.

Do the Naish boards hold up well? With limited $$, I need something that will last.

I've had three Naishs (no other brands) and I don't look after them at all - sure they scratch and dint, etc. but I'm sure they are as good if not better than anything else on the market. I think they're good value for money.

I have both in GT format, 11'4 is 2013, 10'6 is 2014, both great boards, definate difference in handling, float and glide etc between the two (as you would expect), the 10'6 is alot lighter as well

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Lenn said..

I have both in GT format, 11'4 is 2013, 10'6 is 2014, both great boards, definate difference in handling, float and glide etc between the two (as you would expect), the 10'6 is alot lighter as well

Hi Len,
I've been thinking about these two board myself.
Curious how the 11'4" surfs comparatively to the 10'6"?
Is the 11'4" heaps better in full and small waves?
Ken.

I have a 114 coming this week. I am over 90 kgs and was after a longboard style board for some short paddles around my coastline and for surfing smaller stuff or for getting out quicker on bigger clean days. I have an 8 8 sup for most surf days. I think it all depends what you want from the board Kenny and your weight and skill. The smaller Naish is bound to be a better surfer if quicker lines are needed but a wee bit less glide I expect.

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KennyK said..

Lenn said..

I have both in GT format, 11'4 is 2013, 10'6 is 2014, both great boards, definate difference in handling, float and glide etc between the two (as you would expect), the 10'6 is alot lighter as well

Hi Len,
I've been thinking about these two board myself.
Curious how the 11'4" surfs comparatively to the 10'6"?
Is the 11'4" heaps better in full and small waves?
Ken.

The 11'4 allows (IMO) more traditional Mal style riding and i can move right up the front of the grip pad and slide along the little stuff to the end and also once moving has good momentum for catching waves a bit further out, the 10'6 being alot lighter is alot easier to 'move around'

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Lenn said...
I have both in GT format, 11'4 is 2013, 10'6 is 2014, both great boards, definate difference in handling, float and glide etc between the two (as you would expect), the 10'6 is alot lighter as well

At around 72 kgs, which would be better for a lot of flat water, bays, with occasional small waves?

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spirit4earth said..

Lenn said...
I have both in GT format, 11'4 is 2013, 10'6 is 2014, both great boards, definate difference in handling, float and glide etc between the two (as you would expect), the 10'6 is alot lighter as well

At around 72 kgs, which would be better for a lot of flat water, bays, with occasional small waves?

IMO the new 10'6'' for sure.

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Lenn said..
The 11'4 allows (IMO) more traditional Mal style riding'

That's why I bought my 11'4 - to ride the nose - something I'd never even attempted before being a long time short boarder.
At 72kg I reckon the 11'4 is way more than is needed though - I'd go a smaller board if you're likely to get to the surf a bit. Or maybe just buy a flatwater board and rent a surfing style one when you get to the coast?

10 6 Nalu would be a great board for everything for a 72kg person...go the lighter one if you can afford it.

Hi sprint4earth. I was in a similar position just over a yr ago. Wanted to buy my 1st SUP mainly for flat water (in the bay) with a small bit of surfing. I'm 65kg and purchased the nalu 10 6 gt. Love the board. Glides well and surfs very very well. I now do a lot more surfing then I had expected - it is quite addictive and I love the all round board. Basically if doesn't matter what the condition of the surf is - this board will always work. And being somewhat time poor when I get to the surf I don't have the luxery to pick and choose times and surf spots. So very happy with the 'can do' board. I've surfed smaller boards but do love the glide of this board. (Helps to quickly get out the back again after catching a wave) Ps 2014 nalu have excellent handle much better then 2013.

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nicowen said...
Hi sprint4earth. I was in a similar position just over a yr ago. Wanted to buy my 1st SUP mainly for flat water (in the bay) with a small bit of surfing. I'm 65kg and purchased the nalu 10 6 gt. Love the board. Glides well and surfs very very well. I now do a lot more surfing then I had expected - it is quite addictive and I love the all round board. Basically if doesn't matter what the condition of the surf is - this board will always work. And being somewhat time poor when I get to the surf I don't have the luxery to pick and choose times and surf spots. So very happy with the 'can do' board. I've surfed smaller boards but do love the glide of this board. (Helps to quickly get out the back again after catching a wave) Ps 2014 nalu have excellent handle much better then 2013.

Sounds great! So you have 2+1 fun setup? Does this work pretty well in flatwater? A better choice than the GS with a single fin? The cheaper version is appealing, for sure!

It looks like the board is leaning toward the 10'6. Next, should I go with single fin or 2+1? Whichever will work best for lakes.....

I should have checked prices sooner! The GS is just on the edge of affordable at $1498, and the GT is off the charts at $1999! I'm hoping the GS is held in high regard by my forum mates!
Maybe a lottery win is in my future?

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spirit4earth said..

It looks like the board is leaning toward the 10'6. Next, should I go with single fin or 2+1? Whichever will work best for lakes.....

I've been using my GT without the side fins.. but I use a slightly bigger centre fin.. You can see it at the 55 sec mark in this vid.

You don't need side fins paddling on a lake.

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spirit4earth said...
I should have checked prices sooner! The GS is just on the edge of affordable at $1498, and the GT is off the charts at $1999! I'm hoping the GS is held in high regard by my forum mates!
Maybe a lottery win is in my future?

GS construction is very good!! I've had two boards in GS and never had a problem.

G'day guys,
I am a long time longboarder as well as supper. I'm 88kgs and currently own a Naish glide 14' GX and a JP surf 9'6".
I used to own a Starboard Drive 10'5", which I loved, great for longboard style surfing.
As far as the Nalu's are concerned I have been missing the drive and am thinking about getting another longboard style sup.
Just not sure if the 11'4" would be too long from a turning point of view? I know the 10'6" would be ok in that regard.
How would they both compare for getting on to small fat waves, or linking sections together through fat non breaking holes?
I expect the longer the better, but that would depend on the rocker to a large degree. Do the two share a similar rocker or are they quite different?
My thinking is if there is more rocker in the 11'4" to perhaps help with turning, that could almost negate the length advantage?
So what you guys think?
Ken.

See Lenn's short post further up Kenny.....he has lots of experience of both it seems. I think it comes down to personal taste but if you liked the drive then go the smaller one I reckon.......think the 11 4 will be little more laid back.

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KennyK said..
G'day guys,

I am a long time longboarder as well as supper. I'm 88kgs and currently own a Naish glide 14' GX and a JP surf 9'6".

I used to own a Starboard Drive 10'5", which I loved, great for longboard style surfing.

As far as the Nalu's are concerned I have been missing the drive and am thinking about getting another longboard style sup.

Just not sure if the 11'4" would be too long from a turning point of view? I know the 10'6" would be ok in that regard.

How would they both compare for getting on to small fat waves, or linking sections together through fat non breaking holes?

I expect the longer the better, but that would depend on the rocker to a large degree. Do the two share a similar rocker or are they quite different?

My thinking is if there is more rocker in the 11'4" to perhaps help with turning, that could almost negate the length advantage?

So what you guys think?Ken.

I've had a couple of 11'4"s and a couple of 10'6" Nalu's and IMO you will find the 11'4" a bit too long and much harder to turn than the new 10'6".. I think the new 10'6" also has better glide and will get you through non breaking sections better than the bigger 11'4" board.. and IMO it has a better rocker and a better tail shape.. It's also a better nose riding board.. and even though it's a similar width and almost a foot shorter I found it's about the same in stability.. The only time I'd choose the 11'4" over the new 10'6" is if I'd wanted to paddle flat water with a small child or dog on board.

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spirit4earth said...

nicowen said...
Hi sprint4earth. I was in a similar position just over a yr ago. Wanted to buy my 1st SUP mainly for flat water (in the bay) with a small bit of surfing. I'm 65kg and purchased the nalu 10 6 gt. Love the board. Glides well and surfs very very well. I now do a lot more surfing then I had expected - it is quite addictive and I love the all round board. Basically if doesn't matter what the condition of the surf is - this board will always work. And being somewhat time poor when I get to the surf I don't have the luxery to pick and choose times and surf spots. So very happy with the 'can do' board. I've surfed smaller boards but do love the glide of this board. (Helps to quickly get out the back again after catching a wave) Ps 2014 nalu have excellent handle much better then 2013.

Sounds great! So you have 2+1 fun setup? Does this work pretty well in flatwater? A better choice than the GS with a single fin? The cheaper version is appealing, for sure!

Mainly use just single fin for surfing and also single for flat water. Therefore GS maybe a cheaper option especially if you don't need windsurf mount.

I get the feeling I won't go wrong with a 10'6 GS. Is the single fin interchangeable, or would I ever need to go longer?

My 11 4 turned up today...what a beauty. This is it next to my JP.

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Slab said...
My 11 4 turned up today...what a beauty. This is it next to my JP.



It is a good looking board. IMHO The old 2013 graphics did not look nearly as good. It had a black band at the front end of the grip pad which being located in the middle of the board visually separated the board in half. The new look has a central black "stringer" line that uniforms the whole board. Also the swirls and other visual busy-ness are gone. Luckly though the new look still retains the great surfingability of the old!!!! - plus has the much better handle.

Old vs new

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nicowen said..

Slab said...
My 11 4 turned up today...what a beauty. This is it next to my JP.



It is a good looking board. IMHO The old 2013 graphics did not look nearly as good. It had a black band at the front end of the grip pad which being located in the middle of the board visually separated the board in half. The new look has a central black "stringer" line that uniforms the whole board. Also the swirls and other visual busy-ness are gone. Luckly though the new look still retains the great surfingability of the old!!!! - plus has the much better handle.

That's a beautiful board!

Y'all are such a great group---I wish I could move to Australia!

Certainly agree that the 2014 models look much nicer and the handle is noticeably better. The wood version looks fantastic...very smart. Can't imagine there being much difference in surf ability.....I only got the wood version as I has quite a bit of money knocked off as I had to return a faulty AST version which was from 2012. I have a long walk in so any reduction in weight is good....even if it is small.

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DavidJohn said..

KennyK said..
G'day guys,

I am a long time longboarder as well as supper. I'm 88kgs and currently own a Naish glide 14' GX and a JP surf 9'6".

I used to own a Starboard Drive 10'5", which I loved, great for longboard style surfing.

As far as the Nalu's are concerned I have been missing the drive and am thinking about getting another longboard style sup.

Just not sure if the 11'4" would be too long from a turning point of view? I know the 10'6" would be ok in that regard.

How would they both compare for getting on to small fat waves, or linking sections together through fat non breaking holes?

I expect the longer the better, but that would depend on the rocker to a large degree. Do the two share a similar rocker or are they quite different?

My thinking is if there is more rocker in the 11'4" to perhaps help with turning, that could almost negate the length advantage?

So what you guys think?Ken.

I've had a couple of 11'4"s and a couple of 10'6" Nalu's and IMO you will find the 11'4" a bit too long and much harder to turn than the new 10'6".. I think the new 10'6" also has better glide and will get you through non breaking sections better than the bigger 11'4" board.. and IMO it has a better rocker and a better tail shape.. It's also a better nose riding board.. and even though it's a similar width and almost a foot shorter I found it's about the same in stability.. The only time I'd choose the 11'4" over the new 10'6" is if I'd wanted to paddle flat water with a small child or dog on board.

Thanks DJ, That's the sort of feedback I was after.
Ken.

Loving my Nalu 10'6!