Hi there,
i really like the look of the solid wooden Naish GTW Nalus and would like to buy one. Due to having an iSup only i need help with the propper choice...

They come in two different shapes:

Shape 1: (looks like a tourer)
Nalu 10'10" 10'10" x 32" 201 L

Shape 2: (rounded/pin tail)
Nalu 10'6" 10'6" x 30" 160 L
Nalu 10'9" 10'9" x 33" 210 L
Nalu 11'0" 11'0" x 31 175 L
Nalu 11'4" 11'4 x 30 180 L

Me: Heigh 181cm (5,94); Weight 92kg (202,8); Experience Somewhat Intermediate (been using an iSup for some Time)

Question: Which Board should i get for cruising along the Beach a the Location as seen in the Video. The Board will be only used there. (there'll never be any big/high waves)

Video of the Location:


Cheers & Thanks

There are different shapes within your "shape 2" category. I have an 11 footer and believe it has more rocker than others with a pin tail - surfs better but a bit of compromise on the distance paddling but I still find it great to cruise around on and a very capable surfer. Others have a flatter rocker in some cases more as a longboard surfboard (eg the 10 footer).. I'm sure others in this forum - one in particular - will have better nalu knowledge!

What dools said,where's DJ..sound like your scenario,is more suited to the 12.6 flat water paddlers that can still ride/ surf small bumps ,just saying ,very limited experience on them but the glide was addictive,another point is your comment on solid wooden gts nalus the wood look is paper thin. Point 6 of one millimeter absolutely no structural integrity I learnt the hard way as I have owned .10.6 -114 both failed in the surf, as this IMO is there intended purposethis is not a Naish bash as both boards surfed VERY well! Just be aware - and do your research on any potential purchase re the construction ,something with Pvc /carbon wil serve you better long termIMO, this all price point of course,good luck with your decision

Hi mate, if you won't be surfing the board, maybe one of the Naish touring GTW or just the Touring boards or might be worth a look.

I have 10'6 Hobie with a similar shape to you choice of Nalu's, they are great shapes and paddle well, but on purely flat water they are not the fastest. Either of the Naish touring boards will give you more speed and better glide and handle the chop on the surface of the beach that you posted.

They would be my choice for riding in the conditions that you show us, ranging in size between 11 to 14 feet and various widths they would be perhaps a better choice for flat water padding.

If not go with the 10'10 Nalu as it seems the most flat water solution in the Nalu range.

Cheers.

Steve.

I've owned all those boards and know them all well.. My favorite for sure is the 11'x 31" Nalu.. I'm 100kgs and often surf very small waves.. Where I often surf we have a long paddle to get to the waves that are at the next point along the coast and it does these long flat water paddles very well.. I've owned a few 11' Nalu's starting with the first GT and later the GTW's with their beautiful timber deck.. I surfed mine last week after a long break due to getting into foiling and it was so nice to get back on that board.. You will notice a night/day difference paddling one after having an inflatable board..

Here's a few vids showing my 11' Nalu.. I still have one now and it's a keeper..

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DavidJohn said..
My favorite for sure is the 11'x 31" Nalu..

Would this also be your choice for just paddeling along the shore? (when there arent any waves)

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Muck said..

DavidJohn said..
My favorite for sure is the 11'x 31" Nalu..

Would this also be your choice for just paddeling along the shore? (when there arent any waves)

Yes it would be.. for me.. But I also admit that the 11'4" is probably the best and fastest flat water paddling board out of that bunch.. The 10'10" also paddles flat water great and is probably the most stable but the minute there's the slightest ripple to surf the 11' wins in my opinion..

I had an 11,4 and it was a super board but at the end of the day just too big/heavy. Great for surfing big fat easy waves.

I've had two gtw nalus 11'. They surf really well. Fair bit of rocker. They will all surf a wave, but for really small waves or flat water the longer the better. I'd lean to the 11'4 unless moving it about is an issue. For myself I also surf 14s and 17s so I really dont mind the transporting vs the fun.
Check out this 11'4"

Lots of good advice on here. If you are truly not going to use it in surf, I would suggest two things to consider to give you more glide which is the key to having fun on flat water:
1. More length equals better glide so I would think of around 11'6" as being about the minimum. My surf SUPs are between 8' and 9'. My flat water SUPs are 12'6" X 30" and 14'X 29".
2. Study up on the differences between flat-bottomed planing hulls like the Nalu and all other surf SUPs, and displacement hulls like race boards and touring boards. Unless they have a wave to get them planing, flat entries plow through the water creating a lot of drag. A displacement entry (pointed nose and V bottom in front) slice through the water with half the drag. The difference will be as big as your move from a slow/unstable inflatable to a hard board.

Based on your description of paddling up and down the coast with no real surf, I think you would have the most enjoyment with a 12'6" to 14' touring board, 30' to 31" wide, and around 280 to 300 liters for stability in rougher water. (Note: they will be a pain in the butt to transport and store but we buy boards for fun, not for storage.)

I've ridden all of them too. My favourite is the 11'4"
So I really think it's subjective. I've found the 11'4" will surf any size very well. The 11' x 31" felt a bit less controllable to me.

But you've said it will be flat water padding only so maybe the old 11'6" would be best

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Zeusman said..
I've ridden all of them too. My favourite is the 11'4"
So I really think it's subjective. I've found the 11'4" will surf any size very well. The 11' x 31" felt a bit less controllable to me.

But you've said it will be flat water padding only so maybe the old 11'6" would be best

I had several 10.6 both constructions,and agree with others on the 11.4 both boards shaped /designed by the legend Harold Iggy and they surfed unreal!,they were also very good flat water paddlers / for cross training. I never owned an 11x31 but from memory it was developed after Harold's passing,as I've mentioned previously the Naish construction at times let these great designs down,IMOit would be great if some of these old designs were made again in pvc / sandwich build being lighter and stronger,because at the time they were the benchmark and would still hold there own today