Hi all
What are the differences in the handling of the nalu boards?
impossible to demo in wa and would really like to add one.
Used Mostly morning mid morning PERTH beach's freo way.
ive got a 9,5 mana that's great but looking for a board the wife can relax on and just paddle away up and down the beach,kids use and I can still mess about on. She is only about 55kgs. I worry the 10'6 might be to tippy for relaxed enjoyment, so hence the question on the marked differences.
cheers all

You really need DJ's input here. But until he gives the definitive opinion, here's my view:

Your wife should be fine on the 10-6 Nalu, unless her balance is really bad.

The 11-4 is a bit like a longer version of the 10-6. A little better for distance paddling, but it's quite a lot of board for a smaller person out of the water.

The 11ft has a rather different rocker line from the 10-6 and 11-4, and is wider. (It has more rocker overall). It's a great board IMO for a large guy surfing, but is a pretty big board for smaller people, and although it's lovely and stable the rocker means that it isn't the fastest flat water paddler.

the 10-10 is completely different. It's really a flat water paddler rather than a surf-oriented one like the other three. It's a pretty big board for small people, which you'd notice carrying it. Nice for general beach cruising though if stability is a principal goal. Perhaps a bit of overkill for a 120lb person, but it would certainly be a stable platform.

Other opinions are no doubt available...

Hope this helps.

Area 10's right on.....I also reckon the 10.6 is the one for a 55 kg lady .

here s a picture of the 11 and 11.4 bottom one .as you can see the 11 is more surf orientated ..but still paddles fine .

i actually like the 10.8 quest Nalu ..I sold my 11' to buy the 10.8 .i just wanted a smaller board ..it nose rides unreal .if you like doing that long board stuff .it also is a faster board as to the 11' ..a Nalu is a great add to a Quiv.

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Area10 said..
You really need DJ's input here. But until he gives the definitive opinion, here's my view:

Your wife should be fine on the 10-6 Nalu, unless her balance is really bad.

The 11-4 is a bit like a longer version of the 10-6. A little better for distance paddling, but it's quite a lot of board for a smaller person out of the water.

The 11ft has a rather different rocker line from the 10-6 and 11-4, and is wider. (It has more rocker overall). It's a great board IMO for a large guy surfing, but is a pretty big board for smaller people, and although it's lovely and stable the rocker means that it isn't the fastest flat water paddler.

the 10-10 is completely different. It's really a flat water paddler rather than a surf-oriented one like the other three. It's a pretty big board for small people, which you'd notice carrying it. Nice for general beach cruising though if stability is a principal goal. Perhaps a bit of overkill for a 120lb person, but it would certainly be a stable platform.

Other opinions are no doubt available...

Hope this helps.

I agree..

But.. If you're after a board that "the wife can relax on and just paddle away up and down the beach,kids use" I'd recommend you check out the new 10'8"x 30" Quest.. and seriously concider it in the soft top version. It performs like a hard board but you won't need to worry about bumps and knocks.

Excellent.. thanks all for the advice.
Always tricky when you can't line them up

Have owned 8 SUPs in the 4 years I've been paddling ranging from 8ft - 10'6. The first board I bought (a 2014 10'6 Nalu GT) is still the one I ride the most. It catches everything and is still quite manoeuvrable on a wave. It's just an awesome all-rounder.

I'm 72kg and it's extremely stable in the surf (even with a kid on the front).

Just have to find a 10'6 nalu to demo

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DavidJohn said..

Area10 said..
You really need DJ's input here. But until he gives the definitive opinion, here's my view:

Your wife should be fine on the 10-6 Nalu, unless her balance is really bad.

The 11-4 is a bit like a longer version of the 10-6. A little better for distance paddling, but it's quite a lot of board for a smaller person out of the water.

The 11ft has a rather different rocker line from the 10-6 and 11-4, and is wider. (It has more rocker overall). It's a great board IMO for a large guy surfing, but is a pretty big board for smaller people, and although it's lovely and stable the rocker means that it isn't the fastest flat water paddler.

the 10-10 is completely different. It's really a flat water paddler rather than a surf-oriented one like the other three. It's a pretty big board for small people, which you'd notice carrying it. Nice for general beach cruising though if stability is a principal goal. Perhaps a bit of overkill for a 120lb person, but it would certainly be a stable platform.

Other opinions are no doubt available...

Hope this helps.

I agree..

But.. If you're after a board that "the wife can relax on and just paddle away up and down the beach,kids use" I'd recommend you check out the new 10'8"x 30" Quest.. and seriously concider it in the soft top version. It performs like a hard board but you won't need to worry about bumps and knocks.

I picked up a Quest 10'8 a few weeks back, its a great board, I have previously had 10'6.5 and 10'6's and the big Q is just as nimble on the waves. Super pleased.

Select to expand quote

JoffaDan said..
Have owned 8 SUPs in the 4 years I've been paddling ranging from 8ft - 10'6. The first board I bought (a 2014 10'6 Nalu GT) is still the one I ride the most. It catches everything and is still quite manoeuvrable on a wave. It's just an awesome all-rounder.

I'm 72kg and it's extremely stable in the surf (even with a kid on the front).

I rated the Nalu highly too. A feature that the other boards don't seem to have is the recessed deck - helps keep your CoG a tad lower.

With the 10'6 being 160L, I found it perfect for me in waves at 82kg as a beginner would catch about everything, glide really well and great for a cruising style of surfing but paddling the flat with a 15kg dog onboard it became unstable.

Interestingly, I now have a 190L 10'0 Mana and the 33" width gives it amazing stability. My 60kg mate who didn't gel with the Nalu as a beginner absolutely shredded it in the waves with first session on the more stable Mana.