Hi I am now in the market of purchasing a 12'6 race board and would like to pick your brains on what board you think would suit. My height us 165cm and 76kg I will be testing these boards of course before buying. Prob go second hand as well. Would like it for flat water and downwind.
Thanks
This is only commenting from what i have paddled.
The 2011-12 FANATIC 12'6 X 30 is a great all rounder.
(its stable, fast and surf small waves too)
The 2012 FANATIC 12'6 X 27 carbon is a fast little board.
(but being carbon is a bit more brittle and a little bit tipper then the above)
The 2013 FANATIC 12'6 X 30 cabron.
(i love this thing, fast, stable and light, its my favourite).
good luck
There's three stand out 12'6" boards IMO.
The Naish.. (of corse 
) .. also the Fanatic.. and the Walk on Water board?
DJ
I reckon approx 70 percent flat/choppy like currumbin and 30 percent ocean maybe more after some practice
if mostly flat go a 27.5 or narrower just for the flat water prrformance. Roar would be able to demo u different boards. go see steveo he will sort u out.
there r heaps of good 12'6 as mentioned above. cant go wrong. i would suggest u push urself width wise to avoid an upgrade in 3 months :)
Flat water and downwind board are a little difference.
Flat water race have a zero rocket, the edge of the board into the water.
Downwind boards are different, the rocket is positive (like a surfboard) and a little more wide, around 28" to 29".
If you want just race in flat, 27 is fine, but in DW you will be in trouble.
Look this sups:
Fanatic Falcon 12,6/30"
Hobie Race Elite 12,6/28,75""
Sic Maui Bullet 12,6/ 28,25"
The Bullet is the best open ocean board in the world, whether to race or dw.
Im thinking that I will be mostly in flatwater or choppy flatwater but want to go ocean occasionally just can only afford 1 board well not even that at the moment would be good if shops did like a layby system
kickels many do a no interest finance thingy. not bad if ur a budgeter and can get the thing paid of before the no interest runs out.
try ocean addicts, i know luke does that system.
