Going OS soon and tossing up whether its worth getting a second ripper style SUP to take with me. I'm ex-shortboarder (the only time I've gone anywhere near the nose was to get away from a jellyfish ), 84kg, intermediate skills and currently ride a 9.0 Naish Mana in the sloppy waves we get in NQ. Its a good board and I'm happy with it but just wondering if I should get a second dedicated surfing board to take on trips away. I'm thinking either. Naish Hokua 9'or 9'5'', SB 8'5'' pocket rocket or 8'10 SB widepoint. No being able to demo anything in Townsville (except kayaks at BCF), I'm just wondering if there is enough difference between any of the boards mentioned and the Mana that I'm currently riding to justify purchasing a second board ?

Heaps of difference except the 8'10 widepoint which is too similar imo. At your weight I'd go the 9'0 Hokua (my current regular board at 85kg) especially if you have the Mana as backup for when you're tired or it's choppy n windy.

Birchy,
Thanks for that, though reading between the lines on your email, do you find the 9'0 hokua relatively tippy or hard work in anything other than ideal conditions ?

Sorry to hijack, but im in the same situation. Im ridding a 9 mana at the moment and looking for a second board. The difference is im only 68kg and would like something that is easier to throw around and looking to take travelling so the shorter the better.... Any recommendations?????

Hi buck, I have a sub vector 9'6 as my back up board, but haven't got it wet since early December, and I go out most days in some pretty average conditions. I'd say for the first couple of months you'll be glad you still have the mana, but after that it'll be collecting dust (presuming you have a short board mentality)

Thanks Birchy...I'm sold